UPDATE: The expression, as it may not have been clear, is ‘but is it art?’
There’s an expression I grew up with, and which was often chortled, in an appropriate accent, when I was growing up*.
It was also widely spoken by the people I hung out with at university (I was generally the only science one - most were working ‘creatives’, or studying such things as film).
And, due today to the newest design of NZ-based tshirt people Tweet 4 Your Tee (@tweet4yourtee), I’ve figured out where it comes from :)
In 1984, Cape Tonian Niki Daly came out with ‘Is it an ism or is it art?’. Video and song below. Favourite bits include “I’ll eat your black bowler hat”, “simultanousism”, and “hyper-realism, real hyperism”.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAeeCBK0zag[/youtube]
And as for lyrics! I found them on the wonderful 1001 South African Songs You Must Hear Before You Die** site:
Maholy-Nagy, Maholy-Nagy
I love his ism, but is it art?
Tell me my Bauhaus baby
Is it art?Is it an ism or is it an art?
Marinetti, Filippo Marinetti
I love you ism, but is it art?
Futurisms so dynamic
But it is art?René Magritte, Mr René Magritte
I love you ism, but is it art?
I’ll eat your black bowler hat
If that is artIs it an ism or is it an art?
Oskar Kokoschka, Oh Oskar Kokoschka
I love you ism, but is it art?
I’m chilled by the cold blue black of your nights
But is it art?Neoplasticism, Automaticism, Televisionism
Uh oh, Uh oh
Is it art?
Post Picasso-ism, hyper-realism, real hyperism
Oh oh, oh
Is it art?Keep looking for a sign
For our own time
There really isn’t any ism
That I can call mineI know what I like
But I don’t know if it’s art
I really don’t know
My ism from my artIs it an ism or is it an art?
Oh Mr Mondrian, Mr Piet Mondrian
I love your ism, but is it art?
Your Boogie-Woogie-Woogie’s Jazzy
But is it art?I know what I like
But I don’t know if it’s art
I really don’t know
My ism from my artOh, Is it an ism or is it art
Salvador Dalí, I adore Dalí
I love his ism, but is it art?
It’s metaphysically superb
But is it artRomanticism, minimalism, Disillusionism
Oh oh, oh oh
Is it art
Supreme-tism, exoticism, simultanousism
Oh oh, is it art?Keep looking for a sign
For our own time
There really isn’t any ism
That I can call mineI know what I like
But I don’t know if it’s art
I really don’t know
My ism from my artIs it an ism or is it art?
(Written by Niki Daly)
Since we’re on the topic of awesome South African music, a couple more favourites. The first from Spoek Mathambo (War on Words is also awesome, and love the creepiness inherent in both):
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKfwSFI8LhQ[/youtube]
And, of course, anything by Die Antwoord***. One of my favourites shown below, just, y’know, ’cause I can :)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_pS46YRMIQ[/youtube]
—-
* In South Africa
** I did not know about this site. It r a wonderful idea.
*** Always hilarious when non-Saffas excitedly ask me about Die Antwoord, and whether it’s a satire or not. Also, they clearly don’t understand (erm, in terms of the lyrics not being English) many of the lyrics :P