What Would Sarah Palin Say About Gilbert & George?

As many began to settle into bars stools and living room couches to watch the Biden/Palin debate, I took a seat in the auditorium of the Brooklyn Museum and waited for the British duo Gilbert & George to take the stage.

During the 35-minute discussion with director Arnold Lehman, the audience repeatedly erupted in laughter as G&G spoke frankly of, among other things, their well-tailored suits, shit, cum, and George's desire to be a "super tramp." In contrast, I returned home to hear Palin say "Americans are cravin' that straight talk..." Of course, the context in which she spoke was completely different, but at the moment I couldn’t help but wonder how she would approach a work by Gilbert & George. The answer seems pretty obvious (I'm certain that G&G don't come any where near her idea of things straight), but I would still love to hear it.



Perhaps the fathers of irreverent British art, when asked about their relationship to the Young British Artists, G&G responded enthusiastically: "There are not enough artists in the world," said George. He went on to talk about a time when most people only knew of Leonardo da Vinci and perhaps one other guy long dead; today, there is greater awareness of artists. George continued, "You don't need to know just the names of famous politicians, murderers or sports people."

Thereafter, a member of the audience asked about their relationship to Andy Warhol and Pop Art. George again replied: "Andy Warhol and Pop Art celebrated consumerism. We want to celebrate humanism."

Gilbert & George is on view at the Brooklyn Museum through January 11, 2009. (Above: G&G sign exhibition catalogs in the Museum lobby.)