conversations back home

there's some magical moment when you can call up your family and give them details about your upcoming hijinks and adventures and they actually know what you are talking about.

me: We may be in town around the 4th, I have some friends that are playing at the Guggenheim then."
mom: The Guggenheim?
me: Yeah, the Guggenheim. You know, the Art Museum. In the City.
mom: I know what the Guggenheim is! Wow, that's like, really big shit.
me: Yes, mom, that is, like, really big shit.


i don't know why this is so amusing, but it reminds me of a conversation my friend William recounted last summer; it was about a time he with his family when he was interviewed on the news about his work, and his image was actually talking out of the glowing box. Even though he had already enjoyed years of success, it was like his work was finally validated to them, even though it hadn't physically changed at all, that recognition in a method of mass consumption gets serious points with those who do not eat, sleep and shit (insert obscure art practice here).

When an artist's (or their friends') work is finally recognized in an avenue that is a household name, it is a stark reality that perception changes. I think i was really a costume designer last year for the first time when they taped me on tv, even though it didn't change my work in the slightest, perception is everything.