Dirty Nazi Drawing

Sorry to change the subject here so soon, but I just have to get this off my mind. Leonard, your article on attempts to democratize literature is very funny and contains some good insights, but factually I hve to take exception to your characterization of visual arts as the work of a single auteur bringing his or her own physical and mental prowess to bear on the creative process. While a lot of art is made like this, a lot is not. Artists are assisted by staff and students and interns and advised by dealers and agents and critics to an astounding degree. In contemporary art, especially video and installation art, projects are simply too big and require too many skills to be done in any way besides collaboration. Even in disciplines associated more with individual effort like most 2D works are liable to be the product of a 'name' artist directing his or her assistants and applying just finishing touches personally. This isn't new in any way at all, either. The concept of a workshop producing art under a single artists name but the product of many individuals work dates at least to the Italian renaissance.

OK, back to politics - where I'm better off listening that speaking.