On Modern Legends

Bob Dylan or King Arthur?

Legends have been made of singers and actors, which are retold now far more than those of warriors and adventurers. As modern people, our warriors are either fictional, or they are entertainers for whom the definition of the word has been stretched to fit.

“Michael Jackson is my hero”, “Juice WRLD is a legend.” It’s a wide stretch.

Those who have elected to tells stories are those whose stories are being told - dramatized as epics for our amusement. Movies are made about Hollywood screenwriters and actors, books about authors, and singers continue to sing about themselves - perhaps video games about game designers will soon enter the mainstream.

Is the epic period in history long past? Why has popular storytelling become so self-centered, so incestuous? Using art to contemplate the artist will no doubt mesmerize much in the same way as putting a mirror in front of another mirror and observing the endless reflections. Certainly there is some insight to be gained in doing it. But a canvas was not made in order to paint paint, rather to paint landscapes, specimens, and historic events.