Poetry off The Page - Week #6

When Did This Become Art?
By: Andy Rooney

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsfX6xqCBks

Andy Rooney concluded the weekly program of  "60 Minutes" with his satirical views of the world, right up until he passed away late last year. He has several books in which his concluding remarks are published as "essays." However, when he speaks them to his audience after a long day of football, it is poetic. This particular piece entitled, "When Did This Become Art?" Andy Rooney fittingly describes his view of public "post-modern" art. He describes it as a waste of space, and that nothingness would actually be better. It is structured around the final segment of "60 Minutes" and like all his pieces are in the 2 to 3 minute range. Futhermore, it does have an introduction, evidence and support and a conclusion.

This piece does match the characteristics of traditional poetry in that it has form, content, tone, persona and even some stylistic elements. All media has form of some degree, whether it is regular or irregular. Andy Rooney's set form varies from week to week; however, its length and structure remain the same. His content , tone and persona  for the most part all go hand in hand. He plays up his role as a cynical old man, while discussing everyday occurences and topics relevant to his audience. The tone is almost always sarcastic, such as in this piece how he mocks the art and even states "I doubt Martin Luther King would stand for that." The line most curious in terms of stylistic elements for me was when he discussed the "Tilted Arc" being cut up and being put away and stored. Its a vivid, direct metaphor for the art being unwanted and trash. Most fittingly he also states "A writer ought to be able to write simple sentences before he tries to be a poet." This lines compares the art of writing to fine arts and also may subtly be trying to tell the audience what he himself is trying to achieve in his few minutes a week.