Text for Barbarian in the Garden organized by Mary Simpson at Pitt Street, New York, NY. Title from Zbigniew Herbert’s book (of the same name) 1962.
Barbarian in the Garden
If the problem is borders, we’re in a posture of folding inwards. Nature doesn’t see objects or cruelty (animals can’t be snobs!) but me, me the human—I fashion color to another country. If the problem is the frame—sight, form, beauty—time for a breather.
A ruin is always embedded in a garden. Take the lid off your head and you become animal.
A playlist:
Beyoncé, “Kitty Kat” (2006, Columbia)
Bankroll Mafia, “Hyenas” ft. Young Thug, T.I., MPA Duke, Shad Da God & Lil Yachty (2016, Bankroll Mafia LLC/Empire)
The Shangri-Las, “Leader of the Pack” (1964, Red Bird)
The Kinks, “Apeman” (1970, Pye)
Rolling Stones, “Beast of Burden” (1978, Rolling Stones Records)
Survivor, “Eye of the Tiger” (1982, EMI/Scotti Brothers)
Shovels & Rope, “Fish Assasin” (2014, Dualtone Records)
Harry Roy and His Bat Club Boys, “My Girl’s Pussy” (1931, Oriole)
Jim Jackson, “Old Dog Blue” (1928, Vocalion)
Black Sabbath, “War Pigs” (1970, Vertigo)
Ginuwine, “Pony” (1996, 550)
The Monkees, “Porpoise Song” (1968, Colgems)
Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, “(You Ain’t Nothing But a) Hound Dog” (1952, Peacock Records)
Tom Waits, “Fish & Bird” (2002, ANTI-)
The Housemartins, “Sheep” (1986, Go! Discs)
Refused, “Worms of the Senses” (1988, Burning Heart)
Prince, “When Doves Cry” (1984, Warner Bros.)
Desiigner, “Panda” (2015, GOOD Def Jam)
related:
Barbarian in the Garden, 2016, Oil on panel in frame, 28 3/4 x 23 1/4 inches