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Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

A tongue-twister even in Latin.

Earlier in this thread there was a discussion about what was and wasn't art. I know I am an old geezer, but the person who coined, "I don't know how to define good art but I know good art when I see it," has my sympathy. I have a friend from childhood, who is a noted sculptor. His early art was real art. His present art makes him a lot of money. I believe he has prostituted his talent. Some of what he produces now ain't art.

I have a brother who is an amateur graphic artist. He is a PhD computer science university professor “by trade”. What he produces ain’t art neither. He does write great fiction.

Perhaps I should revert to my old byline of “an old Texas geezer.”

Many jokes have been made about Jackson Polluck painting via overturning paint cans. However, about ten years ago I walked into the lobby of the New Orleans museum and saw a wall of about twenty modernist paintings. One leaped out at me and eclipsed the rest. That removed all doubt for me that JP knew what he was doing.

Many jokes have been made about Jackson Polluck painting via overturning paint cans.... JP knew what he was doing.

Really? And all these years I thought he was selling dropcloths!

That WAS the first joke.

There is some abstract art I can appreciate. There is a Catholic Church near where I live that has the Stations of the Cross illustrated in an abstract painting on a long glass window, the entire length of the sanctuary. The window gets larger as one goes through the stations. Then at the end of the 14 stations, there is a great burst of swirling orange color. After some contemplation, I realized it represented a lion, the Lion of Judah, the resurrected Lord. I was impressed, humbled and greatly blessed.

Most interesting conceptual way to emphasize the
Lion of Judah/Resurrection. I'd love to see it.
Does the church sell photos?

Re the original topic, I haven't seen my favorite Latinism, which has appeared in several forms, such as "illigitimi non carborundum est." Supposedly it says not to let them grind you down, but I can't translate it that way. Where does the "don't let" come in. "Est is sing. for "is." I know it's humorous, and I love it, still it annoys me.

Re the original topic, I haven't seen my favorite Latinism, which has appeared in several forms, such as "illigitimi non carborundum est." Supposedly it says not to let them grind you down, but I can't translate it that way. Where does the "don't let" come in. "Est is sing. for "is." I know it's humorous, and I love it, still it annoys me.

Perry, your phrase is difficult to translate because it's not really Latin. But, hey, if you like it, who's to say you can't. After all, de gustibus non disputandum est.

Check Wiklpedia for a quick discussion of this phrase.