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The Monday Morning Memo


Richard Müller “True Peace”
Dresden, Germany, (1946)

Hurrying Death leaves a bloody trace in this painting
as he drops the sword to grasp a palm branch.
Is the artist saying, “Death is the only True Peace?”
We cannot be sure. Professor Müller is dead,
so he can no longer be asked.

The meaning of the branch is disputable.
In Christian iconography, the palm branch identifies martyrs and
symbolizes victory over earthly matters. But considering the time
and place
 of the creation of this painting (1946, Dresden,) we might also
assume the artist is
showing us the final, sad swansong of war.

Art is valuable to the degree that it triggers emotions.
Wizzo was never drawn to the little painting of bloody Death,
but he was curious regarding the price it would bring at auction,
so he kept an eye on it. Can you believe this tiny 6-inch by 6-inch
painting sold for 4,600 Euros, plus a 23% buyer’s premium,
plus a 2% ‘droit de suite’ added by German law?

We’re talking 7,566 dollars and 43 cents American, mi amigos.
That’s a lot of emotion packed into just 6 inches.

Is it always the art, itself, that triggers the emotion?
No, often the art is merely a point-of-contact
with an iconic figure with whom we identify
.

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Random Quote:

“Do you want to differentiate yourself with memorable, attention-getting ads that will greatly accelerate your repetition by unleashing the persuasive powers of wit, humor, identity, and audacity?

The first step is to find your corporate mission statement, take it outside into the sunlight, lift it high up to the sky, then lay it down on the sidewalk and set it on fire. When it is finished burning, sweep the powdery ashes into the grass. Paper ash is an excellent source of lime and potassium. This will raise the pH and help neutralize acidic soil.

You have now put your mission statement to the best possible use.

Just out of curiosity, why did you think you needed to write down all those generic things you believe in? Those things you include – what you stand for – will rarely differentiate you since most of us include, believe in, stand for the same things: Individuality, Informality, Opportunity, Competition, Efficiency, Progress, and Helping Others. It is what you exclude, or stand against, that defines you. To gain attention and win a following, you must stand against the absence of one of those seven things.”

- Roy H. Williams, The Monday Morning Memo for Jan 7, 2019

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