The recent passing of Cy Twombly has prompted me to write this. While we focus on music and mostly the music we create, I'd like to take a moment and bring to light some of the brilliance of Cy. His work fullfilled art world empties. It was a gathering of ideas, a laugh, a cry, and a poke. It was brilliant, crass, delightful, and proposterous. The work of Cy Twombly has not only inspired me in my own life as an artist, but my life as a musician. I will continue to find joy in his work, especially the most simplistic pieces, which is where I felt he excelled.
I remember my first visit to the MoMA (I saw two of the pieces featured below). Cy had two large rooms to himself. In one room were the giant chalkboard-like paintings...obvious and powerful upon first glance. Then after a while they become more constrictive, leaving the viewer gazing back upon their memories...of childhood, or more recent experiences, clashes with culture, understanding, or ambivalence. Each piece somewhat improvisational, like free jazz on a canvas. I was enthralled and beyond inspired. I will forever be. Thanks Cy!
--click on an image to read more.
---you will be missed, Cy Twombly.
