“Artists to Artists”

Dear Editor,

In 2022, Thomas Joly was chosen as the artistic director of the 2024 Olympic Games. Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, said: “Choosing Joly is a bold decision, but one that fits our vision.”

“How do you create a play where everyone, at some point, feels represented, part of this bigger thing, this bigger ‘us’? It’s a beautiful responsibility for an artist,” Jolly said. “It’s ambitious and complex because one has to broaden one’s image, one’s vision, to include everyone, to understand everyone, so that no one feels left out,” he added.

(Hindustan Times, Sunday, July 28, 2024)

Finally, I would like to say this – Artist to Artist. It is sometimes difficult to make a decision, especially when you know that millions of eyes are watching you; whatever you do, whatever you create. The decision weighs heavily on your shoulders. Young and old, rich and poor, from every corner of the world, are waiting to see and marvel at the fantastic ideas you have brought to life. You have the opportunity to have the world see your creativity and vision for a major event, an opportunity every artist dreams of in their lifetime. There are expectations, there are hopes, and of course, with that comes the pressure to deliver exactly from start to finish. It is vital to listen to your inner voice and feel your instincts. Even though others may offer their opinions on what they think you should do or create, it is ultimately up to you and your decision. With a project like this, I am sure it is more than just “a wonderful responsibility you have on your shoulders” as you describe it. I would call it a great responsibility you have on your shoulders.

You once said, “One must broaden one’s horizons, one’s perspectives, to include everyone, to understand everyone, so that no one feels left behind.”

I’m not sure if this is coming through in the amount of resentment and insults people feel and express on social media. Maybe the outreach you so desperately want to “get to know everyone” isn’t broad enough.

But now it has been done; some have done it, but many have not. Or maybe they have.

Young, old, and all eyes saw it.

Did this work achieve your goal of “making sure no one feels left out”?

I have no problem with the work, except for one debatable scene, which many consider to be the iconic painting of the Last Supper and the Bacchanalia, which seems to be a grasp of history mixed with a hint of the avant-garde (especially modified by the introduction of dissonant or dissimilar elements. – Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Does it achieve its purpose? I think I will end my criticism here, because the real concern turns to us as artists as a whole. When the world is introduced to an artist and vision without preconceived notions, the vast majority of viewers will be inadvertently shocked and disturbed, and we as fellow artists will be disappointed and saddened when the work is misunderstood. Part of this is because we know that this impact will make it harder for us to sell our image and vision, harder to be accepted or get funding or projects, and we have to work harder to explain our ideas to others so that they can see it as well. Our reputation as creative visionaries will be doubted and questioned.

Of course, not everyone will like your work. But for such a large-scale event of this type, in the two years of preparation, in order to pursue the everyone so that no one feels left out” should also include appropriate everyone also.

Good luck in self-evaluating your vision and work. Perhaps it would be helpful to review what should be considered when sifting through past Olympic opening ceremonies in other countries and revisiting the ways in which inclusion and everyone is utilized.

R. Meredith Fitiao, M.A.

Professor of Art

(Editor’s note: This is just an offhand remark from artist to artist: The Last Supper is a revered concept in the realm of acceptable/appropriate Christian iconography, and using it to bring up the idea of ​​“inclusion” speaks to its immense power to communicate visions – Christian or otherwise. This is what I took away from Jolly’s work. The fact that he had to apologize for it pissed me off. But as pointed out, this is also about money. ra)