The Dave Green Zone

This is a review my sister wrote about my previous piece “Visual Haiku”. I think it’s pretty good (and accurate):

David Green’s “Visual Haiku” was created in late 2008 as a response to criticism of his controversial “Fingerless Turkey”.  While damaging to Green’s ego, it is apparent that the constructive commentary attributed greatly to the evolution of  his work.  The simple yet dynamic pen and ink drawing exudes humor while still challenging the viewer intellectually.

Beginning from the top of the piece, we see “Visual Haiku” hastily written on the work itself.  The incorporation of the title lends to the child like nature consistent in the artist’s oevre . One could also perceive this as a dry jab communicating to the audience “You are not smart enough to get the joke on the on your own”. The actual letters are short and haughty as if their inclusion were an after thought. This differs greatly in comparison to the images below the heading which are almost too carefully drawn making the line quality jagged and varied.

The visual organization consists of a sequence of dancing numbers representing the syllabic pattern of a Japanese haiku. Working from left to right the viewer sees the first number five. The five has a smile on its face and appears to be happy though one eye is slightly larger than the other and his right arm is detached from his body. Connected to the five in an entanglement of fingers is the number seven.  This could  be considered the focal point of the drawing as his feet  contradict the direction of the other two numbers and his body is slightly turned toward the viewer to provide depth.
The last five, pulling the other two numbers to the edge of the paper,  is much thinner than the first. This final number is a positive departure from Green’s style. The movement demonstrated by the upward angled feet and the determined guiding arm is typical of someone emerging from the pre-schematic stage of drawing development.

The overall composition of David Green’s “Visual Haiku” mirrors the sparse, unrhythmic pattern of the Japanese poem. The viewer is able to see three different yet similar elements come together to form a poetic melding that is organic in nature but confined within boundaries.

My response in haiku form:

You art critics are
like literary critics
without the reading…

So, the last two posts…   
They were written while drinking.
They weren’t too bad, huh?

I have to admit,
If I’m writing a haiku,
I’m out of ideas.

Kid Nation
Can they change the world?
These children are our future.
We’re totally fucked.

House
Doctor with a cane,
Addicted to Vicodin.
Who knew he’s British?

Heroes
Cool superpowers,
I feel geeky watching it.
Not as good this year…

30 Rock
I love Tina Fey.
She seems kinda “gettable”.
Snowball’s chance in hell?

The Simpsons
I grew up with you,
I’ll be totally honest:
Just die gracefully!

Oh Melatonin,
Wonder drug or placebo?
Who cares? I’m sleepy.

My myspace haiku blog is now defunct. The archives appear randomly in the top left-hand corner. My new haikus will appear here on a regular basis, such as this gem:

It is getting late,
Work tomorrow, long commute;
Repeat til I’m dead…