Yes I know this, But Im talking about pre-Solo beatles years...
Around 66, when John was still living out at Weybridge, with the Wife and son.
Ok, So Yoko was Underground in her art, but isnt that all just a pretentious movement, which seen little positive merit, and was basically a rather predictable and superficial cliche Sixties symbol of Youth orientated Lifestyle.
Ok, so John and Yoko made arty films. But again, I doubt they were taking themselves seriously, or maybe at the time yes, but we all Know what Lennon is like. He moves on, and is never happy with who he is at the time.
This is not Avante Garde as being a natural movement of thought, but a forced session which ends its state being totally reversed and ending as a weak and misunderstood form of useless 'modern' art.
Bagism* planting the acorns...Bed-In..all of these attempts at Peace and emphasis have that streak of absurd Lennon Creativity (which i love) all of them slightly surreal yet still humouress, in a world where the suit and tie still dominated the Working world.
the two virgins cover.....almost gives across the sense of an artificial message. The perfect controversial image was an ingenious decision, but again..is this Avante Garde?..is this Revolution in the form of a Record Sleeve?..I feel the answer is no.
It seems like Im having a huge dig at John, which im not. I just feel Lennon gets the representation of being underground beacuse of his later political stance and his love for 'strange' modern artists Yoko.
John is Underground, but Paul has the edge as far as the context for the Avante Garde scene. John was alot more commercial and open in his art dealings, while Paul kept it secret and quiet.
Once the 'Scene' slips into the normal homes, or onto the 9 Oclock News..or for that matter..the new release of Melody maker...has it not changed its status....surely it cant be attributed with the Avante Garde Tag of fashionable echerlongs.