Expecting Rain

hes painting what hes looking at. the people in the photographs are only incidentally art, or art all the time and dont know it.

Quoting Milkcow:


Milkcow, you are
"freakin' awesome"!
You've said precisely what I've been thinking.

Fans should be vocal. Vocal and respectful. If we can't express our different opinions in a respectful way, then a fansite like this begins to take on the characteristics of a cult. I refuse to drink the Kool-Aid. Love me love my dog, perhaps, under certain circumstances. Love Bob love his art, under certain circumstances yes, under other circumstances, no. But for heaven's sake, don't disrespect and make villains of people who don't agree with you.

And when did this discussion evolve into a trial. And who is on trial?

Lily, please feel free to add your comment on the artsbeat blog and make your case - it's so cogently argued

No he is not. He is interviewed by John Elderfield. Richard Prince writes some kind of Afterward.

Well if you copyrighted your work and I made an exact copy of your copyrighted work AND didn't credit you when I was selling it for quite a few thousand dollars, would you mind?

Thank ye!! You are freakin' awesome too!!!!

Re. the Life cover, it has been confirmed that it is a Dylan, erm, artwork, even if he only put some writing on it.

I'm fine with the fact that the graphic art Dylan has chosen to make is not to the taste of everyone here. It's also fine with me that some people don't know or don't understand much about what Dylan is attempting. Afterall, if they're really interested they can embark on their own journeys of discovery, and given the number of clever and spirited people who post here I'm sure we can look forward to many thoughts and epiphanies.

What I'm not so fine with are the people who seem to think that because the art is not exactly what they want Dylan's art to be it must be absolutely worthless or done in bad faith.

Personally, and no offence to anyone posting or reading - I think you're barking up the wrong tree if you are trying to view Dylan's art as straight autobiography - he's not painting pretty watercolour landscapes or penning witty caricatures of his bandmates, he's far more interested in the process of transforming found images.

Dear Okinawa Soba, if you read this, please check your personal messages via the link on top of this page. Thank you.

The Dylan painting entitled "Opium" is based on an autochrome by Leon Busy taken in Vietnam in July or August 1915 for the banker Albert Kahn. The original autochrome glass plate is housed at the Musee Albert Kahn in Paris. The jpeg of the painting was cropped by the gallery.

Ooops. Thanks for pointing out that feature of the site. Have now responded to both messages. Thanks !

Thanks Lily, it was quite a gas to see my entire quote used. And, the point needed to be made!

Confirmed by whom?

Just a note on the Magnum photos ("Cock Fight" and "Yakusa") that were used as the basis for two of the Asia Series paintings. I corresponded with a senior executive at the company who confirmed that Magnum was aware of Dylan's use of the photographs.

He refused to go into details of the relationship, but did respond to my question, "would it be fair for me to infer that the respective photographers were compensated for the use of their photos?" that it would indeed be an accurate inference.

As readers of the forum know, I've tried to stay out of the whole good/bad moral judgement thing about the Asia Series. I'd just say that, to paraphrase another Jewish boy who made good, that in Dylan's house there are many mansions, whether we're mathematicians or carpenter's wives. Some people like to look at Dylan's art (and Art) for what it is. Some, like me, lean more to the mathematician side and like to know how it came to be. There's room enough for us all, I think.

One thing I'm very pleased about is that this robust thread has brought Expecting Rain to the NY Times attention (yet again) and that KE benefits thereby with some media acknowledgment of his hard work and stewardship of this part of the Dylan community.

Gagosian Gallery

Bob's got me thinking, again about something normally it wouldn't have occurred to me to think about. Sometimes it really hurts my little brain, too.

When too many things get too mixed up for me- like is he really stealing, is it art anyways, do I like it, does it matter, is it dark yet??-
I have consistently come to two conclusions and then stop before my head blows up:

1) I love what Bob creates, and I love that he has brought to light so many other artists, ideas, lingerie and a Cadillac Escalade.
2) He is the Jokerman.

This thread reminds me of people going to a public hanging; after the person is tried and hung, the crowd stays around for the picnics and parties afterword. I don't care if photo's were taken, I just don't care about any of it any more; isn't 13 pages of this subject more than enough information to hang and bury the poor man ? I know that everyone is entitled to there own opinion but we do have a common bond between us, and his name is Bob Dylan. Since when do we find him guilty for something before all the facts are even known?

Which facts are missing, then?

We all love Bob, fredsmommy.That's why we sometimes feel that he is playing with us. He is redefining words like art and originallity, and sometimes we can't keep up with him. For a while.

agreed...but transforming an image and coping it directly right down to fake borders are 2 different things
I actually love the paintings and couldn't copy a photograph as well as he did EVER!!! but the fact remains is that he copied them and gave no credit to copyrighted photos

Milky, see Fred's latest post. At least the surviving photographers are getting paid.

I'm good with it if he legally obtained the rights to use the photos. He should have credited his works though.

Nobody here is trying to hang him. I think that this thread just shows the opposite; how much we love this artist. That's why I would hate it if Dylan becomes a marketing clown like Paris Hilton or Lady Gaga or something. I do not care much for his paintings but was amazed about how his skills are improving over the various series. Copying photographs is a great way to do that.
I for one perceive the Asian series as GAIBTY; covering others to learn the trade and to get in touch with his Godess of Inspiration.

I'm sure he'll paint his own masterpiece one day

Cool! The other one in question is the Siamese Chess one, which is controlled by Getty.
Yeah. It's a fascination with Dylan's work that drives threads like this, not condemnation for it, as is so readily suggested by those who care not for questions.

Indeed! And it shows the legitimacy of the questions being investigated here - going forward, issues of copyright and the 'creative commons' are ones we need to delve into deep.
I emailed Meg at the gallery (on pg. 4 of this thread) and she confirmed that the "painting" (her word) is indeed part of the exhibition, although if it's not on the wall it's unclear in what capacity.

I love this painting. This is REAL. The colors are magnificent. The vibe is positive, joyful. If I was a millionaire though, I would rather give my 18 million to feed starving children. Yes. It's true. Starving children do exist. But who knows, Bob could be a closet philanthropist. Yes, yes, I know. Bob has done his share, publicly, to raise money and donate to various "causes". But perhaps he does more than his share behind the scenes. Just a thought.

There is much of Bob's art that I love and appreciate. The above is just one example. I have both his Drawn Blank and his Brazil Series proudly and lovingly displayed atop my piano with all of my other Dylan books and song books, his own work and the work of others who find him fascinating enough to write about. I obviously find him fascinating enough to spend my hard earned money on and give a place of honor in my home. So, please, don't be including me in the perceived "lynch mob" because I'm not there.

I prefer the Drawn Blank over the Brazil. It too is REAL. Full of light, life and air. In my opinion, the Brazil and the Asian are both depressing in color and subject matter. This has nothing to do with talent, the talent is obviously there and growing along with technique, but where is the joy, honesty and inspiration? In my opinion, it has to do with state of mind. A decrescendo, a decline. A distancing. A long slow journey from light to dark.