Excerpts from conversations with the Bly Family at their home/gallery

#1 - Daiv Whaley, artist + music journalist

This is a summer of good-byes. On June 6, Lyz helped writer and MOCA public programs manager John Chaich pack his U Haul? for NYC. Next month, curator Kristin Chambers and her family will take off for LA. But having Daiv Whaley back in town (he recently moved back to the area after living in Chicago for two years), quells the sting of losing other close friends to the east and west coasts.

We asked Daiv: If you could grant one wish for Cleveland, what would it be? Daiv: I would create a zeitgeist that would raise creativity and art above professional sports, making culture more influential and important in Cleveland. You know, the whole focus on sports is so lame. If as much time and money was spent supporting people who are doing creative things, as was spent on professional sports teams, this city would be so great. I'd make people come to the realization that artists are cultural athletes, and that what they do can be enjoyed as much as - or more - than a game. You don't get anything out of a sports game. You sit on the sidelines, you watch, you shout for your team, then you go home. The arts are intellectually and emotionally stimulating and offer more long-term benefits.

Lyz: Is it that art is too hard for people to grasp? Is there some break in the communication between artists and the broader audience?

Daiv: Art is a more intellectual/emotional experience, and sports are more visceral and may be easier to experience. You go to a sports event and when it's over, you go back to your life. When you go to an art show, or a film, or a play where themes of poverty, or feminism, or class disparity are portrayed, those things are hard to ignore. People don't want to think about those things. Maybe art requires more than people want to give.

Kristin: It's interesting that you juxtapose sports with art because sometimes the two are inappropriately partnered. A couple years ago at Gabe's school, they were honoring students who participated in an art show. Right after Gabe was called on stage and was standing there alone, they turned on some obnoxious music, and you wouldn't believe it, but that idiot Slider (the Indians' mascot) came busting through the back door like the Kool-Aid pitcher guy, running around the room, pulling his shirt over people's heads, and carrying on like it was some kind of pep rally. He went up to Gabe and was goofing around with him and Gabe didn't know what the hell to do. Apparently they had hired Slider to give the kids their art awards. We don't know for sure because in less than two minutes, I protested by grabbing Gabe and escorting him out of the room.

Daiv: What did Slider have to do with the ceremony?

Gabe: I don't know!

Daiv: That's wrong, Slider shouldn't have been there.

Gabe: I know - I was going to kick his butt if Kristin hadn't taken me out of the room.

Daiv: And you could've, too!

 (:divend:)