Putting It Together

I thought that went very well, except for the electrical screw up What did you guys think? Oh, terrible (terrific) I mean, I don't understand completely (I'm not surprised) But he combines all these different trends (I'm not surprised) You can't divide art today into categories neatly (Oh) What matters is the means not the ends (I'm not surprised) That is the state of the art, my dear That is the state of the art! It's not enough knowing good from rotten (You're telling me) But something new pops up every day (You're telling me) It's only new, though for now - (Nouveau) But yesterday's forgotten And tomorrow is already passé There's no surprise That is the state of the art, my friend That is the state of the art! He's an original (Was) I like the images (Some) Come on, you had your moment now it's George's turn It's George's turn? (Don't you think he's original?) I wasn't talking turns (Well, yes) I'm talking art (You're talking crap) But is it really new? (Well, no) (It's more than novelty) It's own collaborator It's all promotion - and That is the state of the art, isn't it? Well Art isn't easy Even when you've amassed it Fighting for prizes No one can be an oracle Art isn't easy Suddenly, you're past it All compromises And then when it's allegorical! Art isn't easy Any way you look at it! Alright, George As long as it's your night, George You know what's in the room, George Another chromolume, George It's time to get to work George, look at all these lovely people in front of our painting George, come say hello to one of our Board members. This is Harriet Pawling. What a pleasure! And this is my friend Billy Webster What heading does your work fall under? Most people think of it as sculpture So unconventional for sculpture Say cheese, George And put them at their ease, George You're up on the trapeze, George Machines don't grow on trees, George Start putting it together I bet your great-grandfather would be very proud Yes, he would've loved this evening George and I are going back to France next month to visit the island where The painting was made, and George is going to bring the lomochrome Chromolume Art isn't easy Even when you're hot (Are these inventions of yours one of a kind?) Advancing art is easy (Yes) Financing is not (They take a year to make) A vision's just a vision if it's only in your head (The minute he finishes one, he starts raising money for the next) If no one gets to see it, it's as good as dead (Work, work, work) It has to come to light! I put the names of my contributors on the side of each machine Some very impressive people Well my family has a foundation and We're always looking for new projects Bit by bit Putting it together Piece by piece Only way to make a work of art Every moment makes a contribution Every little detail plays a part Having just a vision's no solution Everything depends on execution Putting it together That's what counts (Actually, the board of the foundation is meeting next week) Ounce by ounce Putting it together (You'll come to lunch) Small amounts Adding up to make a work of art First of all you need a good foundation Otherwise it's risky from the start Takes a little cocktail conversation But without the proper preparation Having just a vision's no solution Everything depends on execution The art of making art Is putting it together Bit by bit We haven't met. Charles Redmond, County Museum of Texas Nice to meet you I don't mean to bring up business during a social occasion, But I wanted you to know. We're in the process of giving out some very sizable commissions Link by link Making the connections Drink by drink Fixing and perfecting the design Adding just a dab of politician Always knowing where to draw the line Lining up a prominent commission Otherwise your perfect composition Isn't gonna get much exhibition Art isn't easy Every minor detail Is a major decision Have to keep things in scale Have to hold to your vision Every time I start to feel defensive I remember lasers are expensive What's a little cocktail conversation If it's going to get your foundation Leading to a prominent commission And an exhibition in addition Art isn't easy Trying to make connections Who understands it? Difficult to evaluate Art isn't easy Trying to form collections Always in transit And then when you have to collaborate! Art isn't easy Any way you look at it! George, you have to meet Mr. Randolph Lee Randolph, I handle public relations for the museum How do you do? There's a lot of opportunity for some nice press here Dot by dot Building up the image Shot by shot Keeping at a distance doesn't pay Still, if you remember your objective Not give all your privacy away A little bit of hype can be effective Long as you can keep it in perspective After all without some recognition No one's gonna give a commission Which will cause a crack in the foundation You'll have wasted all that conversation I am really sorry George. I spoke with Naomi in great detail about how much Electricity her synthesizer was Going to use. I computed exact voltage- Dennis, it's okay. Now go get yourself a drink Dennis, mingle George, I have one more thing I wanted to talk To you about. I was going to wait- no I'll wait What? I'm quitting Quitting? I'm going back to NASA. There's just too much pressure in this line of work. Dennis, don't make any rash decisions; Just take it easy, sleep on it. We'll talk about it tomorrow Okay, George Art isn't easy (Hey, it's the brain!) Even when you're smart (Little electrical screw up tonight, Dennis?) You think it's all together Then something falls apart I love the new machine, George Oh, thank you, that means a lot to me We saw you talking to Redman from Texas Yeah Did you get one of the commissions? We talked about it, you guys? Her. My stuff is a little too inaccessible Oh, I love your work, Alex. I'll put in a good word for you He knows my work Well, it's all politics, Alex. Maybe, if you'd just lighten up a little Texas would be fun Art isn't easy Overnight you're a trend You're the right combination Then the trend's at an end You're suddenly last year sensation So you should support the competition Try to set aside your own ambition Even while you jockey for position If you feel a sense of coalition Then you'll never really stand alone If you want your work to reach fruition What you need's a link with your tradition And of course a prominent commission Plus a little formal recognition So that you can go on exhibit- So that your work, can go on exhibition There's the man of the hour Blair! -Hello. I read your piece on Neoexpressionism Good for you. Now, I had no idea you might be related to 19th century France Well, it's a cloudy ancestral line at best I'm dying to meet your grandmother. It was fun seeing the two of you on stage with your Invention. It added a certain, humanity to the proceedings Humanity? George, Chromolume number 7? Be nice, George (I was hoping it would be a series of 3 or 4, at the most) You have to pay a price, George (I have touted your work from the beginning, you know that) They like to give advice, George (You were really onto something with these light machines, once) Don't think about it twice, George (Now, they're just becoming more and more about less and less) I disagree (Don't get me wrong. You're a talented guy, But there a new discoveries to be made, George) Be new, George They'll tell you 'til they're blue, George You're new or else you're through, George And even if it's true, George You do what you can do Bit by bit Putting it together Piece by piece Working out the vision night and day All it takes is time and perseverance With a little luck along the way Putting in a personal appearance Gathering supporters and adherents (But he combines all these different trends) Mapping out the right configuration Starting with a suitable foundation (He's an original) (Was) Lining up a prominent commission And an exhibition in addition Here a little dab of politician (I like those images) There a little touch of publication 'Til you have a balanced composition Everything depends on preparation Even if you do have the suspicion That it's taking all your concentration The art if making art (That is the state of art) Is putting it together (And art isn't easy) Bit by bit Link by link Drink by drink Mink by mink And that Is the state Of the art