Gib

To understand Gib (pronounced 'JIB', as in 'gibberish'. though it's not his given name; It's a pseudonym), you must first know that his favorite historical art movement is Dada! Beyond the fact that Gib simply likes what the stuff looks like (especially works by Duchamp and Man Ray), he also appreciates the irony of 'anti-art' becoming... well... art. He often wonders how the artists themselves would have reacted, could they see how their creations are handled today. In addition, he sympathies with some of founding ideas of the Dadaists. European Dada in particular often displayed a firm rejection of the logic, reason, and aestheticism of modern society. Instead, the movement embraced nonsense and irrationality. Gib doesn't quite go that far (or so he claims), but does try to stay on the funny side of life, and never fails to spend at least ten minutes a day standing on his head.

You must then know that Gib fancies himself a 'Natural Dadaist', by which he means: someone who creates art in the spirit of Dadaism, but using only natural materials. He insists that by scooping up a handful of pebbles and trying to enter them in an art competition he's aiming to get people to reevaluate their narrow standards of beauty. Nature IS art! Art that just happens, and is all around you! Head and shoulders above all that convoluted man-made stuff that has to be rationalized and explained in order to be understood! Meanwhile, his friends - and everyone else for that matter - think he's being a pain. The jar of acorns with frowny-face stickers on them was slightly more popular. But not by much. And let's not even bring up the time he raked yards for miles in every direction just so he could get enough leaves to more or less bury his (small) house. The fire department had a ball with that one... Gib still doesn't see how it was a 'public safety hazard'.

Or so he says.

Because the final thing about Gib is - underneath that casual and goofy exterior lies a sharp, calculating mind. Read: he's not as dumb as he acts. Most of the things he does in the public eye are simply a show put on by a skilled actor turned independent businessman who's trying to make a name for himself whilst filling his wallet. Yes, he really does love art. Yes, he actually believes in the importance of raising awareness for climate change and endangered animals. He's also the same open, warm, friendly person he appears to be. But all that impulsive, air-head stuff? For the birds! Gib is actually a very sensible individual who much prefers working out in his back garden to staging goofy stunts. Yet all the best artists are eccentric! And Gib wants to be nothing less than the best. So he does what he can to attract attention and build his career while simultaneously building momentum for his cause. Having enough cash to support himself is simply an indication of how well he's doing. 'Ya dig?




*Interests:

Art (both the creation of and intellectually speaking), yoga, Sudoku, Fox and Geese, tea, nature, activism, playing the flute, his garden, laughing at daytime soap-operas, occasional alone time.