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A print from Max Pechstein that illustrates the "as we forgive our debtors" section of the Lord's Prayer.
The thing that struck me the most about the German Expressionism exhibit at the New York City Museum of Modern Art was the artists believed their art would change their societies.
I am no art historian, so I recognize I may be missing some of the larger context, but the aftermath of World War I left many Germans in despair. These artists turned to themes of religion, spirituality, sexuality and others in an attempt to raise standards and inspire the German people to change.
It didn’t work. There was no widespread societal or cultural revolution.
The reason these artists’ goal to start a revolution struck me so is that most contemporary artists react to what’s going on in the world around them. For example, an reactionary image that’s stuck with me since high school Spanish class is a painting by Antonio Caro. It’s simply the word “Columbia” painted in white on a red background like the Coca-Cola logo.
It comments on the fact that Columbia has become commercialized and Westernized, with the popularity and spread of Coca-Cola used to symbolize that change.
Caro doesn’t want Columbia to become commercialized, he’s simply reacting to the fact that it has, whereas many of these German Expressionist painters made religious wood block prints in the hopes that the people would see them and become more religious or spiritual.
Metafiction (and literature in general), too, is often used to react to cultural and societal issues, like war, racism and religion.
But should art and literature be relegated to this reactionary position? Or did the German Expressionists have the right idea in trying to enact change through their work?
The strongest argument against artists trying to change the world, so to speak, is that the expressionists failed. Art should also give people a voice to comment on what goes on in the world around them. Indeed, sometimes art can criticize far more effectively than political discourse or mere talk.
As an artist myself (through literature, not visual art), I do believe in art’s transformative power. Perhaps, though, artists should focus on changing individuals rather than entire societies or cultures.
Change does, after all, start with one person.
I was a bit taken aback when I spotted this pocket guide to alternate guitar tunings in my local Half Price Books. Not only does it not have a guitar pictured (well, not really), but it’s very meta.
I’m still shaking my head and going “What?” as I look at it.
In case you can’t tell from my not-so-great cell phone picture, it features a woman (she actually is holding a guitar, you can just barely see the neck) from behind. The “Hip Pockets” guide sticks out of her back jeans pocket, and of course, has a photo of her with the guide in her jeans on it. And on and on and on and on.
This isn’t a book, it’s a fold out, laminated pamphlet-type thing. It would have made more sense to me if the guide were stuck in the guitar strings, but then I suppose it wouldn’t be illustrating the “hip pocket” concept.
Not that this guide actually fits in a pocket, unless we’re talking about those skater pants pockets from the ’90s. It’s is way too tall, so that doesn’t even work.
I can’t help but feel this was a poor cover choice for a guitar-tuning guide. If I were the Meta Police, I might have to slap a pair of handcuffs on this sucker for gross misuse of metafiction… but I’m not, so I’ll just scratch my head and wonder what the art director was thinking when s/he designed this…
Recently I’ve seen not one, but two publication covers that devolve into an ever tinier spiral of meta-ness! Both use the same format, but their goals and effects are wildly different.
It starts with an image of a person on the cover of a book or magazine. That person is also holding the book or magazine in the picture. And the cover-in-the-cover version of that person is also holding the book or magazine! And the cover-in-the-cover-in-the-cover person is also holding the book or magazine! And… on and on it goes into infinity.
A memoir wrapped in meta
The first example of this format I saw at a local Barnes & Noble. It was Kathy Griffin’s Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin. I don’t know anything about Griffin, and after reading the back cover it seemed to mostly contain celebrity-themed stories and gossip (not my cup of tea), so despite its alluring meta-cover I didn’t pick it up.
But of course, my first inclination when I see anything meta is to ask “Why? What is this meta accomplishing?”
Since Griffin is a comedian, and the memoir is supposed to be funny, my best guess is that the cover designer thought it would be, well, funny. As you can see, the cover photo depicts Griffin acting the part of Miss America, only her sash reads “Official Book Club Selection.”
Basically, she’s making fun of authors and things like Oprah’s Book Club. The fact that she’s holding a copy of her own book, and showing it off as if it were a trophy or award reinforces the farce—and the comedy.
So why? It’s funny! And satirical. And we all know satire is a meta (and comedian) forte.
Meta-preneur
The second example came to me in the mail. Meta-by-mail—basically a dream come true for any meta aficionado.
Via Twitter, I got a free subscription to Star Lee Magazine, which is aimed at female entrepreneurs and mom-preneurs (yeah, I don’t like the term either, but is author-preneur any better?). Lo and behold, Ms. Star Ladin, publisher of Star Lee Magazine, is all wrapped up in earth-toned silk, holding a copy of the latest issue of Star Lee, featuring its publisher all wrapped up in silk…etc.
Each issue of Star Lee is “themed.” It focuses on a specific skill or characteristic meant to help you succeed “on your own terms.” The theme for Vol. 1 Issue 2 is “Authentic You.”
In the premier issue of the magazine and in various email newsletters, Star Ladin has talked about her dream to create a community for heart-centered entrepreneurs, and a magazine to help them grow their businesses and their selves.
If that has been her dream (and this issue of the magazine focuses on authenticity), then it makes sense that Ladin would want to represent her “authentic” self as holding a copy of the magazine she’s worked so hard to create.
The “fashion” spread of this issue features the fashion editor dressed up in different outfits that represent different facets of herself, as well, which emphasizes the point. Who are you, and where do you see yourself? What do you need to be you, and how do you show that to the world?
The fashion editor shows it through her clothing choice. Ladin shows it by publishing a magazine that helps other female entrepreneurs. And designing meta magazine covers.
What would the meta cover of your book or magazine look like?
