Posted by redclay at 6/29/08 7:39 p.m.

I am in tense agreement with Ms. Hackett, although used to not were be. Northern renaissance, couple of things stick in my mind - the momento mori consciousness, maybe fueled by the plague as much as leftover medieval sensibilities (look at actual 12th c crucifixions - stylized Jesus might be in a little discomfort blessing his killers, but there's no Grunewald contortions, no Boschy hallucinations).

I maybe think the modern world loves the grotesque because we confuse it for the mature and experienced. Folks I have met who grew up in the really horrible don't mostly trivialize it into tattoos, graffiti, harlequinkiller leering in concert. Mostly they keep quiet, maybe battle nightmares, fit thankfully into better times. The ones I've met , and thankfully that's not me. Most grotesque art, like most political art, is trivialish commentary for those who have already signed up, que no? Who gets converted?

The northern Renaissance images I freeze at are the sumptuous feasts with fresh fruit, fish, and an open pocketwatch on the table, conspicuous consumption at its most jewelry store hummerlimo obvious, beautiful today, sustainable and luscious today, and if you want a momento of death, imagine an unchecked day after tomorrow.

Maybe we dance because that's what cartoon characters do.