30095: Morse: Refelections From The Red Zone (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

oloffsonram@aol.com

My initial art education came from my parents; the blood line. Richard M. 
Morse, scholar. Emerante de Pradines, Artist, Teacher.

The second phase came when I moved into New York to live with my girlfriend 
back in 1984, and then it continued into my early days in Port-au-Prince. I'm 
no longer a student.

Blair Townsend (my girlfriend) introduced me to the idea of concepts behind 
art.

Jean Michel Basquiat taught me that you can be a great artist and still be a 
sleaze ball.

Keith Haring taught me that you can be a great artist and still be a nice guy 
(similar in a way to Jonathan Demme)

Francesco Clemente taught me that you can concentrate to the point of being 
mystical. He could literally make a room vibrate when he worked.

Kenny Scharf taught me that if it works, run with it, even if its Fred 
Flintstone (an idea that I don't hold true to).

Andy Warhol taught me how to take a picture of myself with a hand held camera.

Bianca Jagger taught me that some times you just sit and name drop.

Steve Rubell, who was daddy to every one, taught me how to combine the business 
world with the art world, which in a way is what I've done at the Oloffson.

Ian Schrager, well, we didn't talk much. He got along better with Blair. He now 
runs the empire.

Selden Rodman taught me that some people just have a special eye.

Stephenson Magloire taught me; don't sell your art to some one you don't want 
to.

Gerard reminded me that its ok to walk.

The Haitian Ministry of Culture has taught me that if you work for the 
government you can act like a condescending fool.

Gerard came to see me the other day. I haven't seen him in probably 10 years. 
We stood looking at each for a bit and he asked me if i wanted to buy a 
painting. I said no but I could tell that wasn't why he came over. He bent 
over, reached into a plastic bag a pulled out a plaque. He said "They gave me 
this plaque". I looked at the plaque. It was an honor and merit type thing from 
the Haitian Ministry of Culture and some other group. I said "did they give you 
any money?" He said "They said the plaque would last longer" and he chuckled. 
I'ld say it was about a 250 gourde plaque. We shook hands and went our separate 
ways. His hands are soft but his insights are sharp. Razor sharp.

The Haitian government taught me that they feel they have the right to TRY and 
kill you if they don't like your art.



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