I consider Crumb to be a truly great artist and like all great artists he sits not comfortably with everybody. Many great artists have strange and objectionable traits and they can have subject matter which shocks. Good. Imagine how dull the world would be if you couldn't get shocked anymore. There was a great shock tradition in the sixties. From Lenny Bruce to Frank Zappa to the Fugs to Crumb etc. 'You need the deviant', Lenny Bruce said. 'Without deviation from the norm there is no progress', was Zappa's take on it.
@@comixodditieswhat? I was just listening to Apostrophe * by Frank Zappa right before clicking on this video! Today’s been 50 years since it was released but Zappa and Crumb are an amazing combination on any day
The "Crumb" documentary is both fascinating and cringe-worthy; it was very provocative in 1995. (I think his brother Charles is probably deserving of a book/documentary on his own!) Robert Crumb is obviously, unapologetically a strange person. Not nearly as sociable as someone like the director John Waters (a cultural peer of Crumb's from that era), you get the feeling that Crumb has an element of self-sabotage: if you get too comfortable with him, he lowers expectations by tossing a grenade. I admire his work as an artist (he's one hell of a draftsman), and I respect his views on society. But I won't dare say that I fully comprehend him.
I love that documentary. 3 Incredibly intelligent and creative brothers that are all clearly dealing with some monstrous inner demons, rejections from society, yet at the same time completely willing to share their truth with the world. RIP Charles - I can't help but think there is a profound line of mental health problems in both sides of their parents' families as well as creative effervescence. For such a talent as Charles to become what he did is a tragedy.
crumb is a true artist in every sense of the word. he is like the honey Badger ,HE DON'T GIVE A FUCK ! if people today weren't such sheep they would have a mind of their own and be able to separate thoughts from actions.
This was a fun video. I didn't know what to expect, because there are a lot of guys who just defend things because they hate feminists or whatever. Of course the answer to your question is yes, you can read and enjoy R. Crumb comix all you want and it won't make you a bad person. Just recognize why some of those comics ARE uncomfortable (or outright deplorable). We can enjoy great art that is also unnerving in dangerous ways. Just don't pretend it isn't and don't lean into the bad parts because you don't like it when other people call it out.
My dad is currently 70, born in December of 1953. So he was a young man during the period of time Mr. Crumb was creating art & rising to fame status. I've seen Mr. Crumbs art for pretty much my entire life because of that & because people all over love his work TO THIS DAY. Dad framed & put his record of Janis Joplin's Cheap Thrills for his at-home office. It's pretty adorable how I picked up collection & decorating from him. There's a little collection of Mr. Crumb's work printed out as posters & sold at the Stoner smoke shops I visit here in town. Film enthusiasts & Furries are still talking about Fritz the Cat. Mr. Crumb isn't perfect, but he is a beloved icon.
"It is offensive" it is meant to be offensive. Being offended is just an emotion, like being scared during a horror movie. We live in a weird time when the prudes being offended at everything have furry diaper p0rn posted on their twitter.
Good summary - I agree with many of your points. It is indeed good to be made felt uncomfortable through art sometimes. Obviously there probably should be an age limit on who should see some of the more lurid works but I don't think that's in question.
When you feel something it happens automatically. You don't choose it. So the question is really "should we keep it in the closet that we like it to avoid group judgment?" which the answer has to be no.
@@damo6241I think it's easy to misinterpret this based on modern times. When you consider the raw and extreme stereotypes he grew up witnessing. From a modern perspective we don't have those stereotypes.. it would be like a cartoon depicting police brutality today perceived as racist in the future if that ever changes. People in the future would have no frame of reference. A little convoluted but that's my assessment
Hey Eric, I really dig your colourful fish, but you should get rid of that awful lampshade, and get something more colourful and hip, to go with that fish.
I love Crumb's works. Every part of it!!! I like when art upset me. It was art stand for: to make us think, to make us cuestioning everything. And in this time we're living in it's absolutely neccesary the art of Robert Crumb: in this woke era when you have to be cautious with everything you say or write or even think, we need incorrection and provocation.
Most of us humans on the planet today are basically dicks! Some of us are better at disguising our dickishness than others is all. Crumb explores this fact in his work. Big influence in my life the man is an unsung legend 👍😎
Words are not the things they represent. Controlling expressions that are directive (e.g. go do violence to so and so) is necessary as those expressions purpose is to foment violence. But has censoring non directive speech reduced sexism, misogyny, anti-gay/trans prejudice, or racism? In my view it has not. It obfuscates it. There seems to be an epidemic of controlling speech both on the left and right which infects much of the society in general. Consider the long standing nonsense of the seven forbidden words. You can say poop, turd, feces, caca but not shit. You can say boof, lay, schtup but not fuck. It's all so arbitrary. And what does it accomplish? Have people stopped using those words? I know lots of people who never use racial epithets and would find their use offensive but are racist to the core. They don't refrain from using them because it's wrong, rather they refrain because of social disapproval. They can reassure themselves they are not racist because they don't use racial epithets. Their restraint actually cloaks their real feelings. I would like to live in a civil society. A society that is not sexist, racist, anti gay/trans, or oppressive to any group. I am supportive of laws that ensure civil rights are protected and all have access to the good and services they need to live. It would be wonderful if people controlled their speech and thought about how what they say affects others. But censorship does not create such a society anymore than the admonitions of strict nuns and the now defunct Roman Catholic index of forbidden books did to regulate speech and reading. By sixth grade I used the seven forbidden words and added to the list and even managed to read books on the index. Catholicism, of which I no longer a part, despite it's tendency to try to control through various means, had some concepts that made sense. One is to avoid what they called "the near occasions of sin". I would apply this principle to offensive art. If you are offended by it, don't read it or look at it. Another is the notion of avoiding "bad companions" If people express themselves in ways of which you disapprove, don't spend time with them. Stop trying to control other people's thoughts and the expressions of those thoughts unless they are calculated incitement to some form of physical oppression. Open discussion has a greater potential to change minds. In trying to suppress the artistic expression of what Carl Jung called the shadow, we only reinforce it.
Robert Crumb is important to read if you want to understand the weirdness off counter culture Pre-Reagon California, but art and literature of that time period is a bit like contemporary history of the period not always a comfortable experience for modern folks.
Crumb is complex, but sometimes you could see why he is what he is due to how society is screwed up. Also, without him, we wouldn't have equally demented artists like Mad Magazine's own Tom Bunk.
Yes, part of what's fun about any type of fiction is that we get to experience stylized versions of things that we would NEVER want to experience IN REAL LIFE. Whether it be a knife-wielding killer in a hockey mask or a warped parody of the 1950s nuclear family, better to encounter them fictionally than physically, amirite?
7:34 ... misogynistic, probably... Dian Hanson, the editor of his 6 volume series of sketchbooks published by Taschen has said (in the Crumb documentary) Crumb is a classic example of arrested adolescent development. I have 5 of those sketchbooks and passed on the first (it covered iirc the early to late '60's) because there was just way too much weird/deviant sex in it... I admire Crumb's ability, his drive to draw, he has produced some incredible artwork, burgi also feel he sidesteps any sense of responsibility with the usual "is it art? I dunno, you tell me.." There's also the balance of just because you can (draw whatever you want) doesn't mean you should. There are those who would give kudos for "at least he's being honest!" as if to say it's all okay as long as you're being honest which I don't buy, being "honest" doesn't mean you're right...
On the one hand, it's just art, and underground art at that. He's not making policy or in charge of anything. I've seen a lot of his stuff, but not all of it. I haven't seen the more controversial things. I would say he is giving voice to the beta-males and to dark fantasies. In my opinion, Art should be the freest thing of all; there should be no restrictions. And his technique is amazing. If you are offended, don't look at it.
Crumb is a great artist but hes a strang guy probably mostly due to his home and school life, it wasn't great. he seems to have come from a broken home eventhough he was from a 2 parent household. And his 2 brothers were legitimately crazy.
he's a record collector and as a collector, i've met people who've known people who've known people who've dealt with him lol. he's... an eccentric, to put it lightly.
Dear Sir, R. Crumb has a different story for which Speigleman did not talk to him for a long period: "When the jews take over america" . Have heard Crumb's explanation (from interviews online) for these works and it is worth digesting. Can testify that R. Crumb's Zap and other titles gave me more laughter by far than any other source between '67 and '75. Way way more. You are thoughtful and a good communicator. (like, groovinoid!) O for the days when a great comic was only 35 cents. Thanx for art discussion. m.
How old are you,? I",m sure you only know of him with selective hindsight cause you weren't even born when Crump set the tone for the 60's...he is a true honest thinker and probably the greatest American Artist.....he was also married to Aline Kaminsky, a fantastic woman Artist as well as the female side and partner to Crumbs greatest works.....moreover she was Jewish may she rest in peace. You criticize Crump but you have no clue. Why are you passing judgment on someone you clearly know nothing about.....sadly you appear to represent this generation of consumers certainly without anything original to contribute be it Art. Music or anything else
I started reading Zap when the originals came out. Always have loved and been fascinated by his art. Art it is. If you don’t get satire and the strange side of sexuality, you’re gonna hate his work. Too had, you’re missing some very original and creative art.
I didnt know about him. He seems to have a lot of pycological problems that he has to deal with but can draw very good for at the time. It might be good to see help and go to chuch more.
I consider Crumb to be a truly great artist and like all great artists he sits not comfortably with everybody. Many great artists have strange and objectionable traits and they can have subject matter which shocks. Good. Imagine how dull the world would be if you couldn't get shocked anymore. There was a great shock tradition in the sixties. From Lenny Bruce to Frank Zappa to the Fugs to Crumb etc. 'You need the deviant', Lenny Bruce said. 'Without deviation from the norm there is no progress', was Zappa's take on it.
Very well said sir. Im also a HUGE zappa fan so I appreciate the quote
@@comixodditieswhat? I was just listening to Apostrophe * by Frank Zappa right before clicking on this video! Today’s been 50 years since it was released but Zappa and Crumb are an amazing combination on any day
Wouldn’t it be great if I formed my opinions based on RUclips posts?
The "Crumb" documentary is both fascinating and cringe-worthy; it was very provocative in 1995. (I think his brother Charles is probably deserving of a book/documentary on his own!)
Robert Crumb is obviously, unapologetically a strange person. Not nearly as sociable as someone like the director John Waters (a cultural peer of Crumb's from that era), you get the feeling that Crumb has an element of self-sabotage: if you get too comfortable with him, he lowers expectations by tossing a grenade. I admire his work as an artist (he's one hell of a draftsman), and I respect his views on society. But I won't dare say that I fully comprehend him.
I really hope someone will write a book on the entire crumb family, it would be incredible.
I love that documentary. 3 Incredibly intelligent and creative brothers that are all clearly dealing with some monstrous inner demons, rejections from society, yet at the same time completely willing to share their truth with the world. RIP Charles - I can't help but think there is a profound line of mental health problems in both sides of their parents' families as well as creative effervescence. For such a talent as Charles to become what he did is a tragedy.
crumb is a true artist in every sense of the word. he is like the honey Badger ,HE DON'T GIVE A FUCK ! if people today weren't such sheep they would have a mind of their own and be able to separate thoughts from actions.
This was a fun video. I didn't know what to expect, because there are a lot of guys who just defend things because they hate feminists or whatever. Of course the answer to your question is yes, you can read and enjoy R. Crumb comix all you want and it won't make you a bad person. Just recognize why some of those comics ARE uncomfortable (or outright deplorable). We can enjoy great art that is also unnerving in dangerous ways. Just don't pretend it isn't and don't lean into the bad parts because you don't like it when other people call it out.
My dad is currently 70, born in December of 1953. So he was a young man during the period of time Mr. Crumb was creating art & rising to fame status. I've seen Mr. Crumbs art for pretty much my entire life because of that & because people all over love his work TO THIS DAY. Dad framed & put his record of Janis Joplin's Cheap Thrills for his at-home office. It's pretty adorable how I picked up collection & decorating from him. There's a little collection of Mr. Crumb's work printed out as posters & sold at the Stoner smoke shops I visit here in town. Film enthusiasts & Furries are still talking about Fritz the Cat. Mr. Crumb isn't perfect, but he is a beloved icon.
"It is offensive" it is meant to be offensive. Being offended is just an emotion, like being scared during a horror movie. We live in a weird time when the prudes being offended at everything have furry diaper p0rn posted on their twitter.
A thoughtful and sensitive take on a really tough subject. Thanks.
Appreciate that.
booo, hisss, lame
@@JackKnight762 dude writing like he's an entire crowd.
You're channel is gonna blow up. I like the obscure titles you cover and it's got that MTV 90's Oddities edge haha
oddities bit
They're just lines on paper folks !
Good summary - I agree with many of your points. It is indeed good to be made felt uncomfortable through art sometimes. Obviously there probably should be an age limit on who should see some of the more lurid works but I don't think that's in question.
Crumb is a genius. Genius always have a toxic component. ALWAYS. Every human being needs his share of TOLERANCE from us. None of is an exception.
Robert Crumb's art is how human nature is without any censorship.
When you feel something it happens automatically. You don't choose it.
So the question is really "should we keep it in the closet that we like it to avoid group judgment?" which the answer has to be no.
If people take offence of crumbs portral of black people they miss the whole point of it.
crumb can also be wrong
@@damo6241I think it's easy to misinterpret this based on modern times. When you consider the raw and extreme stereotypes he grew up witnessing. From a modern perspective we don't have those stereotypes.. it would be like a cartoon depicting police brutality today perceived as racist in the future if that ever changes. People in the future would have no frame of reference. A little convoluted but that's my assessment
Hey Eric, I really dig your colourful fish, but you should get rid of that awful lampshade, and get something more colourful and hip, to go with that fish.
I love Crumb's works. Every part of it!!! I like when art upset me. It was art stand for: to make us think, to make us cuestioning everything.
And in this time we're living in it's absolutely neccesary the art of Robert Crumb: in this woke era when you have to be cautious with everything you say or write or even think, we need incorrection and provocation.
Incredible spelling of “questioning!”
@@tmjmccormack Sorry. English isn't my mother language. 😢
Most of us humans on the planet today are basically dicks!
Some of us are better at disguising our dickishness than others is all. Crumb explores this fact in his work. Big influence in my life the man is an unsung legend 👍😎
Crumb is a genius and a misanthrope.
Words are not the things they represent. Controlling expressions that are directive (e.g. go do violence to so and so) is necessary as those expressions purpose is to foment violence. But has censoring non directive speech reduced sexism, misogyny, anti-gay/trans prejudice, or racism? In my view it has not. It obfuscates it.
There seems to be an epidemic of controlling speech both on the left and right which infects much of the society in general. Consider the long standing nonsense of the seven forbidden words. You can say poop, turd, feces, caca but not shit. You can say boof, lay, schtup but not fuck. It's all so arbitrary. And what does it accomplish? Have people stopped using those words?
I know lots of people who never use racial epithets and would find their use offensive but are racist to the core. They don't refrain from using them because it's wrong, rather they refrain because of social disapproval. They can reassure themselves they are not racist because they don't use racial epithets. Their restraint actually cloaks their real feelings.
I would like to live in a civil society. A society that is not sexist, racist, anti gay/trans, or oppressive to any group. I am supportive of laws that ensure civil rights are protected and all have access to the good and services they need to live. It would be wonderful if people controlled their speech and thought about how what they say affects others. But censorship does not create such a society anymore than the admonitions of strict nuns and the now defunct Roman Catholic index of forbidden books did to regulate speech and reading. By sixth grade I used the seven forbidden words and added to the list and even managed to read books on the index.
Catholicism, of which I no longer a part, despite it's tendency to try to control through various means, had some concepts that made sense.
One is to avoid what they called "the near occasions of sin". I would apply this principle to offensive art. If you are offended by it, don't read it or look at it. Another is the notion of avoiding "bad companions" If people express themselves in ways of which you disapprove, don't spend time with them. Stop trying to control other people's thoughts and the expressions of those thoughts unless they are calculated incitement to some form of physical oppression. Open discussion has a greater potential to change minds.
In trying to suppress the artistic expression of what Carl Jung called the shadow, we only reinforce it.
Robert Crumb is important to read if you want to understand the weirdness off counter culture Pre-Reagon California, but art and literature of that time period is a bit like contemporary history of the period not always a comfortable experience for modern folks.
Crumb is complex, but sometimes you could see why he is what he is due to how society is screwed up. Also, without him, we wouldn't have equally demented artists like Mad Magazine's own Tom Bunk.
Yes, part of what's fun about any type of fiction is that we get to experience stylized versions of things that we would NEVER want to experience IN REAL LIFE. Whether it be a knife-wielding killer in a hockey mask or a warped parody of the 1950s nuclear family, better to encounter them fictionally than physically, amirite?
I think a good way of looking at extreme content is as a freak show. Think of it not as good or bad, just interesting.
7:34 ... misogynistic, probably... Dian Hanson, the editor of his 6 volume series of sketchbooks published by Taschen has said (in the Crumb documentary) Crumb is a classic example of arrested adolescent development. I have 5 of those sketchbooks and passed on the first (it covered iirc the early to late '60's) because there was just way too much weird/deviant sex in it...
I admire Crumb's ability, his drive to draw, he has produced some incredible artwork, burgi also feel he sidesteps any sense of responsibility with the usual "is it art? I dunno, you tell me.."
There's also the balance of just because you can (draw whatever you want) doesn't mean you should. There are those who would give kudos for "at least he's being honest!" as if to say it's all okay as long as you're being honest which I don't buy, being "honest" doesn't mean you're right...
when did every third person become a dang amateur psychologist... GEEEZ
On the one hand, it's just art, and underground art at that. He's not making policy or in charge of anything. I've seen a lot of his stuff, but not all of it. I haven't seen the more controversial things. I would say he is giving voice to the beta-males and to dark fantasies. In my opinion, Art should be the freest thing of all; there should be no restrictions. And his technique is amazing. If you are offended, don't look at it.
He's the best
Crumb is a great artist but hes a strang guy probably mostly due to his home and school life, it wasn't great. he seems to have come from a broken home eventhough he was from a 2 parent household. And his 2 brothers were legitimately crazy.
he's a record collector and as a collector, i've met people who've known people who've known people who've dealt with him lol. he's... an eccentric, to put it lightly.
Dear Sir, R. Crumb has a different story for which Speigleman did not talk to him for a long period: "When the jews take over america" . Have heard Crumb's explanation (from interviews online) for these works and it is worth digesting. Can testify that R. Crumb's Zap and other titles gave me more laughter by far than any other source between '67 and '75. Way way more. You are thoughtful and a good communicator. (like, groovinoid!) O for the days when a great comic was only 35 cents. Thanx for art discussion. m.
How old are you,? I",m sure you only know of him with selective hindsight cause you weren't even born when Crump set the tone for the 60's...he is a true honest thinker and probably the greatest American Artist.....he was also married to Aline Kaminsky, a fantastic woman Artist as well as the female side and partner to Crumbs greatest works.....moreover she was Jewish may she rest in peace. You criticize Crump but you have no clue. Why are you passing judgment on someone you clearly know nothing about.....sadly you appear to represent this generation of consumers certainly without anything original to contribute be it Art. Music or anything else
dude really writeshis comments like a letter.
Some folks are super delicate.
He’s a genius !!!
nice mustache, Phagette...
I started reading Zap when the originals came out. Always have loved and been fascinated by his art. Art it is. If you don’t get satire and the strange side of sexuality, you’re gonna hate his work. Too had, you’re missing some very original and creative art.
I didnt know about him. He seems to have a lot of pycological problems that he has to deal with but can draw very good for at the time. It might be good to see help and go to chuch more.
"see help and go to chuch"... haha what a deranged moron
8:32 😂
Any analysis that does not address the crime statistics by race is completely useless.
The numbers speak for themselves.
Oh, yeah. Totally.
This is a very good post. Thought provoking and intelligent.
Crumb is an amazing artist, it would just be great if his work went by the strict rules of todays PC/Woke style standards.
You talk too much!
"ith it oh-kaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy??????"
tell uth