A Discussion on Dark Arts.

Posted by Eudaimonia 11 years, 10 months ago to Philosophy
25 comments | Share | Best of... | Flag

I am sitting here tonight reading an overly tedious tech book, a tome really, and listening to Beethoven.
There is a decidedly dark nature aspect to Beethoven's music (sturm und drang: storm and stress).

Recently, I found out about a modern Bossa Nova artist, Monica Da Silva, who mixes Bossa Nova with Indie and a touch of Dark Wave.
Fantastic stuff, but again - dark.
Surface (Dark Indie): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV6YhjFI7...
Push Me Away (Dark Indie): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=178KHHUYP...
Aí Então (Bossa Nova Indie): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jt2eQYb2...

Then, there's all of the straight up Dark Wave I listen to from time to time, especially "The Church" - *real* freakin' dark.
Space Saviour (Smack Addict Dark): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-cpLGhJV...
Invisible (Moody Dark): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0V0hOk2Q...

Now it's been a long time since I've read "The Romantic Manifesto" but I'm dead sure that Rand would label all of this music Anti-Life.

So, what are your dark art guilty pleasures?
Is there a place in an Objectivist life for Dark Art?
I say, "Yes", but your comments are welcome.


All Comments

  • Posted by 11 years, 10 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I'm not that much into Tool, but I've heard just about everything Hicks has done.

    Talk about dark!
    Funny as hell though!

    He was the Lenny Bruce of our day.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 11 years, 10 months ago in reply to this comment.
    My daughter is playing a zombie in her theatre production next month... I really don't like zombies... She said I didn't have to go if it was going to scare me too much, lol! (I wouldn't miss it for the world).
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by MattFranke 11 years, 10 months ago in reply to this comment.
    You know that album was dedicated to Bill Hicks, right? I must confess my surprise to find anyone familiar with Tool or Hick's here though. Right on. I'm out of time tonight, but I'll try to find my favorite Hick's clip for ya tomorrow.
    Great question for a post, and per your last question, I think a little dark is required for a contrast to the light, so long as one does not let it consume them.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by squareone 11 years, 10 months ago
    Assuming that you mean that 'dark art" contains a substantial amount of morbidity, yes there is a place for it in an Objectivist life. One can enjoy this form of art for a temporary emotional experience without it becoming a blueprint for a life's philosophy. A popular song of the 60s, "Is that All There Is," comes to mind, applying this question to a house fire and other everyday occurrences. The message here is: "Is That All There Is To Life?" The song also states, "Get out the booze." This fits the description of a chronically depressed person, and perhaps a prelude to suicide.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ jlc 11 years, 10 months ago
    I am not fond of the dark arts. I not only refuse to watch horror shows, but I sometimes find Disney too dark for comfort. I am a 'puppies and flowers' person with respect to entertainment. (Actually, 'puppies and archetypal heroes and flowers'.) The darkest I get (and it is not actually dark) is listening to Wagner whilst sprawled on the couch with a glass of Cab.

    Jan
    (Finally saw Capt Am, The Winter Soldier - described on prior posts, this site. OMG. A movie with content?! Content that I actually agreed with?!...saw it again the next evening. Thx for the discussion of this movie.)
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ AJAshinoff 11 years, 10 months ago in reply to this comment.
    The lyrics yes but the music itself didn't set the tone as dark to me. Consider Led Zeppelin singing Mary Had A Little Lamb, now that would come off as dark to me. :)
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by 11 years, 10 months ago in reply to this comment.
    You didn't find any of that music dark?

    I find it hard to imagine a darker song than Space Saviour, a literal love song to heroine (not the only one the band has written).
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ AJAshinoff 11 years, 10 months ago
    Sorry, I didn't find anything particularly dark about that music. In fact, I found quite a bit of it like commercial music in Italian films. :)

    Now dark doesn't get anymore dark or dismal than this (don't cut your wrists listing to this):

    Black Sabbath - http://youtu.be/B9XpxPj0lk4

    Incidentally I hate the band and wouldn't listen to their music unless paid to. However, this is the the absolute darkest song I've ever heard - ever.
    Reply | Permalink  

  • Comment hidden. Undo