THE ANDY Warhol, brilliant artist, Marilyn Monroe, great actress, portrait sold for US$195 million. On eBay you can buy a child’s paint set for about $10.
Which will do more for art? One painting, probably in a gallery? Or about 20 million children with a paint set each?
The reality isn’t that simple, but it does suggest that the art market has lost the plot.
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Sometimes we do win
Sometimes the underdog wins, and it is an inspiration for all of us. With the long odds Rich Strike winning the 148th Kentucky Derby we see a winner for the rest of us.
Perhaps we should look for the long shots that we all need, a cure for COVID, peace in Ukraine, honest politicians, and in general a better life for all but they are probably at longer odds than the horse.
Keep fighting for the good things because eventually we will all win despite the odds.
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Ban all bombs
The news that Russia is deploying landmines in Ukraine despite them being banned by most countries is horrific. There is no reason to use landmines in a war apart from preventing people returning to an area and leaving any remaining people terrified of the dangers that visiting their own properties might bring.
They are banned for a reason and their use is just another example of why Putin must be stopped and removed from power forever.
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Karma will win
The tennis courts have helped Boris Becker make a fortune, most of which he lost. But now that he is basically penniless, the courts have given him some extra help by providing him with free accommodation for a while.
The lesson to be remembered is that karma will balance out the world for all of us even if it takes a while.
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Arrogance and narcissism still live
The events of the year show there is little limit to what people can do to make the world a better place and sometimes a worse place. There are many who do so much and under such difficult circumstances but there are some that let us down. A Saudi man has been charged after he drove a Maserati down Rome’s Spanish Steps and did some damage.
The fact that it was such an expensive car, although rented, implies more money than sense and the arrogance of driving down a set of historical steps suggests a complete lack of self-control.
Maybe it’s time to reward the good more and punish the bad more too. There is so much that is good that these self-serving idiots should think, look for a better path to follow than the one they are on at present. (dfitzger@melbpc.org.au)/PN
