News
Art and About — DIGITAL: Does the Art Exist?
Posted by Dan Joyce on
Once upon a time, art was painted on cave walls, currency was stamped in silver, and history was etched into stone tablets. We trusted what we could touch. But in the 21st century, we stare into glowing screens and wonder—does it exist if it’s only digital? Welcome to the post-modern riddle. From Physical to Digital: The Shift in Trust Art collectors once coveted canvas, pigment, and patina. Bankers clutched gold, paper bills, and signatures. Everything we valued came with a weight, a smell, a sense of presence. Today, your wealth might live in a string of blockchain code, and the...
Art and About – Art as an Investment
Posted by Dan Joyce on
Art has always been more than a form of expression—it's been a store of value, a statement of culture, and for many, a savvy investment. From the masterpieces of the Renaissance to the splashy provocations of the Pop Art era, the financial value of art has risen, fallen, and risen again with the tides of history and taste. A Short History of the Market Historically, art values were tightly linked to patronage and prestige. Kings, popes, and aristocrats commissioned works that later fetched millions when they eventually hit the market. But the modern era changed everything. The art market became...
Art and About – Painting and Politics
Posted by Dan Joyce on
Art and politics have always danced together—sometimes in sync, sometimes at odds. From cave walls to digital screens, creative expression has been a tool for persuasion, revolution, and resistance. And whether it’s a Renaissance mural commissioned by royalty or a meme posted from a basement apartment, all art says something about the time—and power—that birthed it. The history of propaganda in art is long and complicated. Ancient emperors carved their victories into stone. Kings painted themselves larger than life (literally). During the 20th century, governments around the world—from Soviet Russia to Nazi Germany to the United States—used posters, films, and...
Homelessness Is Not the Cure for Mental Illness and Addiction
Posted by Dan Joyce on
ntroduction The persistent belief that homelessness serves as a corrective measure for mental illness and addiction is not only misguided but also detrimental. This notion has seeped into various facets of society, including medicine, government, and law, leading to policies that often exacerbate the very issues they aim to resolve. It's imperative to re-examine these beliefs and consider more compassionate and effective alternatives. The Harsh Reality of Homelessness Homelessness is a public health crisis with dire consequences. Individuals experiencing homelessness have a significantly reduced life expectancy, averaging between 42 to 52 years, compared to the general population. This stark disparity...
No Safety Net: The Real Cause of Homelessness Isn’t Just Poverty—It’s Us
Posted by Dan Joyce on
There is no safety net. Not from the Republicans. Not from the Democrats. Not from the system we were told would catch us when we fell. Today, too many are falling through the cracks—and never getting back up. It’s a brutal truth: people are being made homeless, and people are dying because of it. And worse, it's not just the economy or bad luck. It's a mindset—this relentless, misguided belief in “tough love.” In my experience, more people are forced into homelessness by tough love than by any economic downturn. Families cut off their own, systems discharge people with nowhere...