
I posted that I was reading this book. It’s slow going, because it’s dense with facts and endless DESCRIPTIONS of what the author, and OTHERS, think Frida meant in the paintings she did while she was here. It’s exhausting and FRIDA IS THE ONLY ONE WHO ACTUALLY KNOWS WHAT ANYTHING IN HER PAINTINGS MEAN. It’s really too bad. I didn’t want to read a book on her paintings, and what others thought they meant.
As far as being in America, the facts are: She was here, she was horrified by the division between the starving, homeless, people and the rich who were having parties every night. She pretty much thought America sucked, because of the haves and have nots, she didn’t like the wealthy, to say the least, and her husband was sleeping with anything that moved, as usual. She liked a few people and a few places, but really, there is way too much, art interpretation, opinions and never ending descriptions.
I don’t believe anyone knows what anything stands for but the artist. If Frida said something meant something, then it’s true. If all the art critics, and people in the world, think something means something, it’s just what those people think. The detail and dragged out explanation of others, is making me read different books, instead of finishing this one. I can’t tell you how little I care about what the lion in her picture means to the critics.
Look, singers say their songs are NOT about what people think they are. Puff the Magic Dragon is a kids song. Peter Paul and Mary SAID THAT THEY WROTE IT AS A SONG FOR KIDS. It has NOTHING to do with drugs. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, was about Lennon’s son, saying that about a little girl in his classroom. It has nothing to do with drugs. But people don’t BELIEVE THE PEOPLE WHO WROTE THE SONGS. This book reminds me of that.
The title of this book is, FRIDA IN AMERICA. America is way in the background, other than how much she dislikes wealthy American’s, and feels sorry for the poor. She calls us names, in letters to her mother, but does seek attention as a wife and artist. I’m half way through with the book. She could be anywhere, although supposedly she was inspired in the U.S., and that’s why she painted the few pictures she painted while she was here.
Frida meets Georgia O’Keefe. They had a lot in common, especially the fact that both of their husbands had sex with anyone who walked by them, or they saw in the distance, or had a pulse, no matter how thready.
But Georgia, was also furious that her husband, Alfred, a photographer (you know who he is but I don’t want to give him any space, because I don’t like him). Anyway, HE was the one who told everyone that her flowers were sexual paintings. He purposely misrepresented her work. He showed the nude photographs he had taken of her, and linked them to her art. She was angry and hurt, but no one listened to her. No one cared what she said. Why would the male establishment listen to the artist HERself, when the artist was female? Women have no voice. Georgia stressed that her paintings were simply flowers, but no one listened. She said they were not meant to be sexual in any way. But no one cared. Georgia and Frida became became friends. Their husbands were rat bastards, and I apologize to any rats who may be offended. I like rodents, they have more honor than the husbands of these two artists.
Diego became enraged when Frida had affairs. Happily, she had many trysts and affairs, because…hey, why the hell not. I guess she was loud (how un-lady like, right) when he was sleeping around, throwing screaming fits, etc. Whatever. She din’t stab him, so she was obviously in control of herself.
Georgia’s husband screamed at her for walking into their bedroom (she came home early), while he was photographing his nude, YOUNG, girlfriend in their bed. He screamed at her for coming home early, as if she had done something unforgivable, because she entered her own home, while her husband was screwing around. .
While at a party, Diego was seated next to a beautiful blond artist. Frida watched her like a hawk and after dinner, Diego and the woman continued their conversation (talking about art). Frida walked up to the woman and said, “I hate you.” She thought the woman was flirting, and that Diego would sleep with her. The woman went to Frida and said that her father was famous and she had seen how he cheated on her mother. She said that she had no interest in Diego, and that Frida didn’t have to worry about her ever sleeping with him. She never would. She said she saw what her cheating father did to her mother, and she would never do that. The two became fast friends.
No one can understand the relationships other people have. Why they stay, or go. But it’s funny how angry men get…when women simply do what they do. Who do men think other men are having affairs with? They are having affairs with the wives of men who wouldn’t believe that their own wives would ever do the same thing they’re doing. Women are cheating on their husbands, because their husbands are cheating on them.
Diego slept with Frida’s sister. Or, should I say Frida’s sister slept with her brother-in-law, neither of them caring about Frida, or her feelings.
Frida and Georgia didn’t have any children (they both wanted them). I read somewhere that Alfred didn’t want kids, so Georgia was out of luck. Then I think he got a young girl pregnant and they were going to have the baby. I’m sure Georgia was thrilled.
I’m sure many people will absolutely love this book. Lots of facts and info. Too much reading into her paintings for me. I’m going to finish it and will let you know if it gets any better.
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Written
on June 18, 2022