***  Haus der Kulturen der Welt: Forum1 Archive  ***
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   [Date]: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 09:48:17 +0200
   [From]: "Ami Isseroff" <ami_iss@netvision.net.il>
     [To]: "Cultural Exchange via Internet" <forum1@hkw.kbx.de>
[Subject]: Re: [forum1] Re: Censorship

Tom wrote:
"If s/he is not in a position to make him/herself a part of society, the
answer can only be yes.
Part of an artist's job is marketing. "

Maybe. However, consider the case of Anne Frank for example,
and of artists who created under repressive regimes. Or consider
the case of scientists whose ideas were forgotten or repressed for
various reasons.

Not every artist or scientist or other gifted person has the financial
means to advertise themselves.
Some art-and some great ideas might have been lost entirely if the
artist or thinker had spent their energies advertising themselves.

Some people are lucky enough to gain some recognition for their
work in their lifetime. Sometimes they are really talented, sometimes
just lucky. Sometines these are the most energetic, the loudest
and the pushiest, rather than the smartest or the most talented.
They are the people who are most apt to find merit in "marketing."
It is only coincidence and luck that Bach had reasonable employment
in his lifetime - he certainly was not recognized as a great genius.
Should he have spent his time "marketing?"

The same people who believe in the virtues of "marketing" also believe,
no doubt, that earthly success is a mark of divine grace. :-)
Best,
A-