The arts in St. Louis are similar to the fabled elephant described by six men who cannot see: “It’s like a snake!” cried one who grasped the tail. “No, a tree trunk!” insisted another, as he rubbed a leg.
Art is a staged dialogue that makes you wince with recognition. It's a brushstroke that evokes sadness; a beat your toes can’t help but keep. And it's as unique as the artist, as we've learned in our first year of putting together the Cut & Paste podcast.
We talked with dozens of guests including a 93-year-old working painter, a novice playwright and a sampling of up-and-coming musicians. We found out that sometimes poetry starts with math, that the best advice comes from unexpected places and that almost anything can be a musical instrument.
Here’s a little of what you’ll hear in this Cut & Paste first anniversary podcast:
- Artist/musician Stan Chisholm on not taking himself too seriously: “Art is entertainment, just period. No matter how serious, no matter how therapeutic it is.” Tweet #cutpastestl
- Theater professional Nancy Bell imitating the director of an early New York audition: “You’re flying! It’s amazing! Alright, thank you.” Tweet #cutpastestl
- Turner Arts Center artist Alehra Evans on being bold: “You’ve just got to put it out there, test yourself.” Tweet #cutpastestl
Look for new Cut & Paste (#cutpastestl) podcasts every few weeks on our website. You can also view all previous podcasts, which focus on a diverse collection of visual and performing artists, and subscribe to Cut & Paste through this link.
Follow Willis and Nancy on Twitter: @WillisRArnold and @NancyFowlerSTL
Please help St. Louis Public Radio find artists to feature on Cut & Paste. Tell us which artists and cultural themes deserve a closer look.
