Counter-Currents
Counter-Currents Radio Podcast No. 285
John Morgan on Charles Krafft
Counter-Currents Radio
72 words / 59:34
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Greg Johnson talks to John Morgan about his memories of the late Charles Krafft, including his story of narrowly missing a chance to meet Julius Evola.
- Greg Johnson’s obituary for Charles Krafft
- Charles Krafft at Counter-Currents
- Jef Costello’s memoir of hanging out in San Francisco with John and Charlie
Counter-Currents Radio Podcast No. 285 John Morgan on Charles Krafft
Counter-Currents%20Radio%20Podcast%20No.%20285%20John%20Morgan%20on%20Charles%20Krafft
Counter-Currents%20Radio%20Podcast%20No.%20285%20John%20Morgan%20on%20Charles%20Krafft
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3 comments
Thank you for this!
Krafft had a fascinating life and I hope a substantial biography is written by someone who knew him. He comes across as very down to earth and not only open to serious ideas, but willing to follow them deeply and commit his life to his curiosity.
I hope its not improper at this moment to compare Mr Krafft to a younger colleague of his, Mike Leavitt. The two shared some creative projects together, including C Manson, Kim Jong Il and Ahmadinejad teapots. Actually there appears to be a figurine of Charles Krafft by Leavitt in existence. Leavitt has gone in the ‘Woke’ direction as an artist, sculpting such luminaries as RB Ginsburg, HR Clinton, AOC and Obama as well as portraits of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown. Currently he has a major project of sculpting an 18 inch Colin Kaepernick figure, who is portrayed kneeling and raising a black power fist. Leavitt’s Instagram account displays how earnestly he takes these subjects. Not lacking in humility, in an audio interview Leavitt described how he once met Spike Lee the director at an exhibition, Lee attending so as to view a sculpture of himself made by the artist. The latter broke down in tears at this moment because Lee was such a hero.
I don’t mean to mock Leavitt or unfairly associate Krafft, especially so close to his passing. Clearly they had a working relationship and friendship- this reply is not intended to be gossip.
But its a relevant comparison to make for artists, because it shows the different career options available to them- there are lessons here. There will be limits for you, if pursuing a creative pattern outside the mainstream canon. Your personal associations matter and the ideas behind your work are pivotal- they will be scrutinised. Don’t question the core premises or structure of the art world system, e.g. go as far as ant-capitalism/imperialism critiques. Even staying silent on progressive issues is a red flag, so throw a few social justice points out there for distraction, or play the ‘pure innocence of the dreamy artist’ card. If your creative practice continues a Fine Art tradition, is representational or associated with the Classical, you’re already suspect- so choose an acceptable cause to fight for, or remember that deconstruction is your best friend. Ca$h in on any minority status points that you have (which should go without saying, of course).
Charles Krafft must have appeared dangerous and unpredictable to his artist contemporaries. But he is an artist that will continue to intrigue the best minds and areas of our culture into the future.
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