Josh bell subway performance, never heard of him

[CRNDLSM]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle...ff149a7248#

[ellajam]

Interesting article.

[shemthepenman]

oh this is brilliant. thanks for sharing it. Jackie Hessian's reaction has to be the most disappointing. i mean, you can understand people being in a rush, not having time to listen [in fact, it is almost too obvious that the experiment was rigged to fail], but she actually took the time to stand there, not appreciate it, while criticizing his business model. it takes some dedication to be that much of a philistine, or prick.

it is interesting to note the experiment has often been reversed since the emergence of modern art, i.e. something seemingly worthless being exhibited in a favourable setting; and, instead of showing people's lack of sophistication, it exposes their pretentiousness. it's even a little ironic that Mark Leithauser uses the example of taking an Ellsworth Kelly out of its frame and hanging it in a cafe. some people might say hanging it in a gallery in the first place was to confer it too much respect.

[ellajam]

I wish they would have repeated it for the evening rush, people are more likely to decide to get home a little later than to be late for work or appointments. Did they think people were in the subway during rushhour with time on their hands? Plenty of them are probably enjoying that bit that they heard while on their way.

[Lizzie]

Wonderful read. Thanks for posting.

I love that the children all wanted to stop and listen -- they care not for schedules.