Chromolume #7 / Putting It Together

I mean, I don't understand completely--
I'm not surprised
But he combines all these different trends
I'm not surprised
You can't divide art today
Into categories neatly
Oh?
What matters is the means, not the ends
I'm not surprised
That is the state of the art, my dear
That is the state of the art

It's not enough knowing good from rotten
You're telling me--
When something new pops up every day
You're telling me--
It's only new, though, for now--
Nouveau!
But yesterday's forgotten
And tomorrow is already passé
There's no surprise
That is the state of the art, my friend
That is the state of the art

He's an original--
Was
I like the images--
Some
Come on, you had your moment
Now it's George's turn-- (It's George's turn?)
Don't you think he's original? (I wasn't talking turns)
Well, yes (I'm talking art)
You're talking crap (But is it really new?)
Well, no
It's more than novelty (His own collaborator!)
Well, yes
It's just impersonal, but-- (It's all promotion, but then--)
That is the state of the art
Isn't it? Well
Art isn't easy--
Even when you've amassed it--
Fighting for prizes--
No one can be an oracle
Art isn't easy
Suddenly, you're past it
All compromises--
And then when it's allegorical--
Art isn't easy (Art isn't easy, Art isn't easy)--
Any way you look at it

All right, George
As long as it's your night, George
You know what's in the room, George
Another Chromolume, George
It's time to get to work
George, I want you to meet one of our board members
This is Harriet Pawling
What a pleasure
And this is my friend, Billy Webster
How do you do
Well, I'll just leave you three to chat

Say "cheese," George
And put them at their ease, George
You're up on the trapeze, George
Machines don't grow on trees, George
Start putting it together
This is the third piece of yours I've seen
They are getting so large!
Art isn't easy--
Even when you're hot
Are these inventions of yours one of a kind?
Advancing art is easy--
Yes
Financing it is not
A vision's just a vision
If it's only in your heed
If no one gets to see it
It's as good as dead
It has to come to light!
I put the names of my contributors on the side of each machine
How clever

Bit by bit
Putting it together
Piece by piece--
Only way to make a work of art
Every moment makes a contribution
Every little detail plays a part
Having just a vision's no solution
Everything depends on execution
Putting it together--
That's what counts!
The Board of the Foundation is meeting next week
Ounce by ounce
Putting it together
You'll come to lunch
Small amounts
Adding up to make a work of art
First of all you need a good foundation
Otherwise it's risky from the start
Takes a little cocktail conversation
But without the proper preparation
Having just a vision's no solution
Everything depends on execution
The art of making art
Is putting it together

Bit by bit
We haven't met. Charles Redmond, County Museum of Texas
Wanted you to know we're in the process of giving out some sizable
Commissions--
Link by link
Making the connections
I hope you don't mind my bringing up business during a social occasion
Drink by drink
Fixing and perfecting the design
Adding just a dab of politician
Always knowing where to draw the line
Lining up the funds but in addition
Lining up a prominent commission
Otherwise your perfect composition
Isn't going to get much exhibition

Art isn't easy
Every minor detail
Is a major decision
Have to keep things in scale
Have to hold to your vision-
Every time I start to feel defensive
I remember lasers are expensive
What's a little cocktail conversation
If it's going to get you your foundation
Leading to a prominent commission
And an exhibition in addition?

Art isn't easy--
Trying to make connections--
Who understands it?
Difficult to evaluate
Art isn't easy--
Trying to form collections--
Always in transit--
And then when you have to collaborate!
Art isn't easy
Any way you look at it
George, hello. Lee Randolph. I handle the public relations for the museum
Dot by dot
Building up the image
There's a lot of opportunity for some nice press here
Shot by shot
Keeping at a distance doesn't pay
Still, if you remember your objective
Not give all your privacy away
A little bit of hype can be effective
Long as you can keep it in perspective
After all, without some recognition
No one's going to give you a commission
Art isn't easy
Overnight you're a trend
You're the right combination--
Then the trend's at an end
You're suddenly last year's sensation
If you feel a sense of coalition
Then you never really stand alone
If you want your work to reach fruition
What you need's a link with your tradition
And of course a prominent commission
Plus a little formal recognition
So that you can go on exhibit--
So that your work can go on exhibition

There's the man of the hour
Blair! Hello. I read your piece on Neo-Expressionism
Good for you
Well, what did you think?
George. Chromolume number 7?
Be nice, George
I was hoping it would be a series of three, four at the most
You have to pay a price, George (I have touted your work from the beginning, you know that)
They like to give advice, George (You were really on to something with these light machines once)
Don't think about it twice George (Now they're just becoming more and more about less and less)
I disagree
Now don't get me wrong. You're a talented guy
But I think you are capable of far more
Be new, George (Not that you couldn't succeed by)
They tell you till they're blue, George (Doing Chromolume after Chromolume)
You're new or else you're through, George (But there are new discoveries to be made, George)
And even if it's true, George-
You do what you can do
Bit by bit
Putting it together
Piece by piece
Working out the vision night and day
All it takes is time and perseverance
With a little luck along the way
Putting in a personal appearance
Gathering supporters and adherents
But he combines all these different trends
Mapping out the right configuration
Starting with a suitable foundation
He's an original
Was
Lining up a prominent commission--
And an exhibition in addition--
Here a little dab of politician-- (I like those images)
There a little touch of publication-- (Some)
Till you have a balanced composition--
Everything depends on preparation--
Even if you do have the suspicion
That it's taking all your concentration--
The art of making art (And that is the state of the art!)
Is putting it together (Art isn't easy!)
Bit by bit
Link by link
Drink by drink
Mink by mink
And that
Is the state of the
Art!