Damian Siqueiros

This is officially my very first attempt to be a blogger. And usually beginnings are better when you start by what it will be the basic foundations of what it will come to be in the future. So before I/WE get into it here are some of the principles that I would love you and I to keep in mind creating this space of expression:

1.- This is a space for the expression of the diversity of opinions about Art and Culture. Very often we find that one of the disciplines that is suppose to be more open to the uniqueness of each individual creator is governed by fashions and an academic view. Even though the word academic, usually means an upstanding relation to research and knowledge, in Art it has become synonyms with a rigorous and tight view of how things should be.

2.- Some of the attitudes of art that usually scares people away is pretentiousness,  snobbery and being condescending. My goal is to speak about art and culture in a way that is understandable to a general public, but that can also be stimulating to them. I would also like it to be appealing to my fellow artists. For what is worth I think that almost any opinion can be expressed in a non obtuse way to be better understood.

3.- I won’t be alone. To promote the multiplicity of views I will invite people to constantly collaborate, even if their point of view differ from mine.

4.- The topics treated here will refer not only what is called High Art, but also to general demonstrations of popular culture that have proven to have a high impact of our experiences in our society. Therefore we could discuss the latests creation of Olaffur Eliasson, amazing danish-icelander artist, or Lady Gaga’s new video.  This is because I truly believe that, at least in my case, as an artist I can’t ignore the cultural stimuli that moves our society, and that includes folklore, pop culture and high culture.

Other topics might include topics related to Gender studies, news and its representations.

5.- By acknowledging the diversity of views on this topics we can also acknowledge the relativity of the validity of each opinion. Each person invited to write or read will have their view which might not be a matter of right or wrong. In this matter my interest would be to provoke discussions that can be enriching.

7.- The blog will be probably be written mostly in English, just because its reach. I excuse myself with my francophone and hispanophone  friends, this absolutely not a political statement or choice.

8.-  Bigotry and insults will not be allowed.

So, this said, I declare this blog,  360 ° of Art,  officially inaugurated.

Yours truly,

Damian Siqueiros