Tuesday, April 22, 2008

stuff that bugs me

I do not like the new usage of the term "curating" to describe the activity of picking some stuff out and putting it together.

The artful arranging of a mod collection of vintage electric fans on your Ikea bookshelf is not a curatorial task. It's decorating, okay?

Selecting half a dozen bands to perform on a TV special? Also not curating.

A curator selects STUFF, not music. She has a point of view, a thesis, that is explored via the collection of stuff. There is research involved, and design, and a careful planning process. If you open up your iTunes and stick a dozen tracks in your folder, then re-arrange them for twenty minutes and burn a CD, you know what? You're NOT a fucking CURATOR!

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