Am I a schmuck?

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

By Aaron Wallis

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-I received several picture messages from the Teton Village art fair this weekend. Apparently, an artist bitter over my suggestion to call the Miller Park art fair a “craft fair” decided to strike back. Signs, written in technically rudimentary calligraphy, were posted all over the Village fair reading, “Aaron Wallis is a Schmuck.”

One vendor even handed out copies of JH Weekly to educate the public on my opinion. I can speak for both my publisher and editor in expressing thanks for boosting circulation; however, insulting remarks directed at my personage and writing are nothing new. A few months ago, an online commenter called me a “D-Bag” on JH Weekly’s Web site.

I looked up “schmuck” in the dictionary because I believe it’s similar to a putz, a jerk, a wanker or a bell end, but I’m not exactly sure. The tool of expression was popular with people my age, in high school.

Before my career as an artist/columnist took off, I used to work in kitchens. My fellow Mexican line cooks preferred the expression “pinche pendejo,” which roughly translates in English to “Resident of Arizona.”

So let’s have an informed discussion on this topic and start with the dictionary definition. A schmuck is a common pejorative of Yiddish origin referring to the penis, the foreskin an item or person that is considered useless, a jerk or an unpleasant or detestable person.

Schmuck is also a surname of German origin, meaning jewel or jewelry. It’s commonly seen on signs and billboards in Germany and Austria related to the merchandising of precious jewelry. The Schmuck family name has been traced to the birth of Christian von Schmuck in 1370.

So Schmuck is Jewish in origin. I guess I might remember the expression from a Woody Allen movie. Really, I’m kind of flattered by the attention. Schmuck is hardly a real insult, anyway.

Back in college, a McDonald’s in the student commons became a lightning rod for protests by every left-wing group on campus. I created a flyer parodying a flyer publicizing a mass protest of McDonald’s, and let me tell you that vegetarians in the cities are not the limp-wristed pansies that many people imagine them to be – I received numerous threats from The Lesbian Avengers, Greenpeace, Earth Crisis Network, Student Vegan Alliance, Straight Edgers and others.

My favorite was “You will be found and beaten to the point of death,” though “The Lesbian Avengers hate you” was also special.

So, am I a schmuck? I feel that people who know me would also praise my integrity, work ethic, sense of humor, faith in Christ, and prowess as a lover, etc. … at the end of the day, having strong opinions on any subject means some people will think you’re a schmuck. I don’t believe in doing anything half-ass and always giving my loyal readers the finest opinion I can muster.

I asked a friend what he thought about me, and he said that I’m a dick, which I take to be better than being just the tip, or schmuck. I’m proud of that. JHW

photo by SHANNON McCORMICK
A theme developed at the Teton Village art fair.

PERMALINK:
Am I a schmuck? | Planet JH News Article: Arts Beat

Reader Comments
I'm afraid that Mr. Wallis misses the whole point of the disdain directed at him by the Teton Village artists. He took a group of 170 artists at Miller Park, declared himself their superior, and belittled their artistic endeavors. As a participant in both shows, I took offense myself. Art is highly subjective, and for him to dismiss all art show artists as "whores", only out for a quick buck, shows his true naivety in the world of the art business. Yes, art is very definitely a business. If you don't treat it that way, by definition, you are an amateur. I think the motivation for most professional artists is to make a living doing something they love. I do a lot of shows myself and am continually amazed at the how creative and dedicated the other artists are. They work hard,travel long distances, and remain professional with a pleasant demeanor in spite of sometimes difficult conditions (or people). Apparently Mr. Wallis didn't have the stomach for it. I have seen some of his work, and although it doesn't appeal to me, I don't see the point of denigrating it for my own self aggrandizement. Some people enjoy being rude, arrogant, and just pissing people off. Is that a schmuck? I have another word for it, but I'm not here to trade insults. Ron Benoit, Preston, ID
Yes, Mr. Wallis enjoys being rude, arrogant and expends much of his time and energy defacing people he can not get or will never be only to mask his own unhappiness and insecurity. That always seems to be the case with ex-addicts. I was a student once in his print class, and I will say I was not impressed by his consistent unprofessionalism. AW is entitled to his opinions, but when you really know the person behind the writing, you realize he is just another lost soul desperately trying to justify his existence. past student
Pleasant demeanor? At the last Miller Park show a few weeks ago, I witnessed many cynical and sour artists, outwardly complaining about poor sales and annoying fair-goers. Many artists didn't even look up when I entered their booth as if to say, "Oh yeah, another cheapskate that's just going to look." Frankly, the artists were a big turn off. fair goer
What is the definition of an artist, is that person limited to thoughts, levels of work, must that person think linier and not try different paths. We learn through experiences this is a fact either by seeing others succeed or falter or pushing ourselves in directions that encourage growth. Is making a living considered selling out, if so what are artists, galleries, or even showing our creative selves. Would this be considered selling out-pimping out? We seek reactions, responses, approval or disapproval. Those I find snuffing out the growth of others in any direction have already snuffed their own mind. Opinions are just that, and it takes a greater person, more enlightened person, a person more giving of themselves and one not self absorbed that can give positive energy and not have to refer to body parts every time there is an analogy, expression or clarification made. Open minds grow closed minds don't. Isn't part of what art is all about the ability to open up new worlds to other by sharing some of our own? Is art limited to only etchings, paintings, sculpture or is it more about the art of being a good and giving person. There is an art in seeing the world beyond oneself. For what ever reasons people do what they do to make a living, to express them and to grow they should be applauded. It takes a KLEIN mind to degrade with on brush stroke and for what reason. Echte Kunstler
It's as easy as this. Aaron, your friend was right, You are a dick. You taking some sort of pride in that is all your own ego. matt
Dear past student, I don't believe you where ever in my class. I get more repeat students than any other teacher at the art ass, and have never had a bad evaluation. I don't believe you really know me, the fact that you say I was an addict proves it. AW
Schmuck, derived from old polish meaning: Smok (meaning "dragon" in Polish) is an extinct genus of large carnivorous archosaur. It lived during the latest Triassic period (latest Norian to early Rhaetian stage, about 205–200 Ma) If I was Aaron Wallis I would take this a compliment. I think the signs were in reference to penis size and not as first thought, past comments. Thanks to the art vendors for further advancing Aarons' prestige. Louise Boutin
This might actually be your best article so far! I especially like the part about your previous career. Going back to kitchen is way to go for you ;o) Eva

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Am I a schmuck?

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

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