The whole point of free speech is not to make ideas exempt from criticism but to expose them to it.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

An invitation to an art exhibit opening



A young man once decided to be a politician and serve his fellow humans. He thought city council would be a good place to start.


He then became a state legislator. He began to see a pattern. He could push people around and they thanked him for it. He became institutionalized.


As a legislator, he only made about $8k a year, and had to hang out in the State Capitol a lot. He ran for mayor of a large city...


...where he made close to $100k and didn't have to drive so far to work. And then he REALLY got institutionalized. He fantasized how it would be to be governor. Or senator.


And then something bad happened.


And kept happening.


And he could not make it stop.


So he tried to hang on.


His style and form suffered.


And then...


Lives of horses all remind us
When they're tied, they'll stand.
And, departing, leave behind them
More than footprints in the sand.
*****

See these images and more at the Apex Gallery at the So. Dak. School of Mines and Technology from June 28 to August 26. You're invited to the exhibit opening reception July 1 from 4-6pm, featuring a gallery talk by me at 5pm. Preview all the images here.

8 comments:

Wayne Gilbert said...

Bob, since you chose to announce the opening of what I am sure will be an excellent show by writing a smugly disguised political speech about an election in which you have no vote, but about which your co-blogger has an irrational if not hysterical, position, I respectfully and regretfully decline your invitation.

Think about it: you join Jerry Apa as a non-Rapid Citian who endorsed the same candidate in the Rapid City Mayoral race. Please say hello to Mr. Apa, and, while you're at it, Mr. Napoli, for me. I think you're more likely to converse with either of them than I am.

P.S. You should be ashamed of your indulgence in giddy and unsupported speculation about your subject's political ambitions.

Bob Newland said...

I suppose I should, but you know I have no shame.

Problem with Apa and Napoli is that I have excoriated them for their silliness, too, so they don't talk to me much.

Still can't figure out your attachment to Hanks or your antagonism toward Kooiker, Wayne. It just doesn't fit with the guy I have known for a long time.

Endorsements? Heck, I think Rapid City could get along just fine with no mayor at all.

BF said...

Maybe watch last night's debate between Hanks and Kooiker, Bob. If you don't get it after that, you probably ain't gonna.

http://www.kotatv.com/

Bob Newland said...

I actually couldn't care less who is mayor of Rapid City, so maybe you could save me the trouble of watching the video and just post your interpretation of it.

My photo post had no intentional connection with the mayor's race. It's only after the fact that I noticed some parallels.

Les said...

You might do well to walk in Jerry's shoes for a day WG. I know of a man whose charitable package runs more hours of the day than many put in on the job for payola.

As another non-Rapid Citizen who endorsed a known candidate for Mayor, which RC business's would you like me direct my spending away from?

If that's your wish, should I direct their attention your way, just in case you wish pick up some of the oncoming slack?

I would be proud if my city had outsiders supporting both its political and economic engines.

Isn't beauty usually in the eye of the beholder Bill?

I think Mayor Hanks needs 10% of the voters who probably don't care if he is the Lord himself after the censure performance.

BF said...

Les, yes. I think Bob's pictures are great.

Les said...

lol You're a handful Bill.

Michael Sanborn said...

I'm sorry I will miss the show. I've seen most of the photos, by the way and highly recommend it.

And, Wayne, c'mon. Lighten up. You're not the first person to call me hysterical. But, there have been so few that I gave up my stand-up comic ambitions years ago.