James Franco Takes Your Hate And Makes It Art In Flaunt Magazine

It's hard to know what, exactly, to think of James Franco and his art, but therein lies the genius: no matter the response you have to his work and eccentric foray into other fields, it immediately becomes a part of his unending spool of captured reality.

Franco, as handsome Hollywood leading man, is not supposed to be venturing into academia and arts visual and performing, critics say. Stick to what you're good at, the lament goes; don't be complicated, because that is quite difficult to process. Be the hiker who lost his arm or the scientist who made apes smart, audiences call. Unmoved, Franco plows on, obtaining degrees wholesale, publishing short stories, opening art galleries based on James Dean films, recutting other directors' films, making porn documentaries, playing meta serial killers on soap operas, making his own micro-indie flicks, adapting novels to screen and bearing his behind on magazine covers.

Yes, that's his latest move, cheeks shining on the cover of "Flaunt Magazine."

As you can read in the prologue to the cover story, how the photo -- or any of the photos in the magazine -- got snapped and printed is its own bit of Franco madness, a battle with the press that just doesn't get what he's doing, because what he is doing is the art. He may be the only patron of the gallery, but isn't all art, in the end, a personal experience?

Bloggers, beware: your response will become part of his work.

"I don't think what I'm doing is confusing," he tells Flaunt. "What is confusing is that I'm an actor in mainstream film and the people that usually comment on mainstream film are idiots, and they don't try to think outside of their pop-culture commentaries. It's so easy to criticize contemporary art from the outside: 'Douglas Gordon slowed down Psycho so it's 24-hours long? That's easy! I can do that.' That's how the morons in the blogosphere try to critique my work. But the great thing about it is, is that their critiques are part of my work. I like that they are confused. I like that they make fun of what I'm doing. It's a beautiful reflection of where our culture is at the moment."

Thoughts?

For more, click over to Flaunt Magazine.

Comments

[GeneticRoadkill]

11:27 AM on 11/07/2011

I'm with "Ron from NYC" and "bocoe". I'm not savvy about astrological signs but I also like what "oneeasyrider" wrote.

James takes so much flak, so many undeserved words; I certainly hope he doesn't waste his time reading the drivel the clueless write about him.

I eagerly wait to experience his future projects in whatever form he decides to express himself.

I see a deep soul who needs to emerge in various ways.

If I had money, which I don't, I'd bet he is a sensitive and thoughtful person.

[Typhonator]

12:53 AM on 11/01/2011

Are the critics confused? I'm not confused. The work is simply poor (at best--sorry James, your a far cry from being Douglas Gordon...go ahead and try to compare yourself, but that doesn't mean you're actually operating at the same level). Also, as far as trying to claim that a critical response is part of a work...umm...THAT is hubris (and ridiculous).

[oneeasyrider]

10:46 PM on 10/30/2011

Last time I listened to James Franco was his appearance on Colbert and he has an impressive mind. So, I'm taken back to learn he's a recipient of so much heat. Hadn't thought about it previously but reading the criticisms I knew immediately Franco is an Aries. And, they are dynamos by nature. If not scaling a mountain literally or metaphorically, they are on a journey across the world to find one.

Strange, James is so misunderstood; he's definitely the antithesis of lazy.

[inkongirl]

11:52 AM on 10/30/2011

I love James Franco! I'm enjoying his Palo Alto stories right now.

[BlogAngel]

10:26 PM on 10/29/2011

As Steve Jobs said, "Your time is limited. Don't waste it living somebody else's life." Go Franco.

[tuffigirl]

10:18 AM on 10/30/2011

I agree. Love you Franco! Live your life how you want to and to it's fullest... bloggers and critics be damned!

[Treehuggindirtworshiper]

09:59 PM on 10/29/2011

Long manic phase. The crash will not be pretty.

[Juliawerck]

05:56 PM on 10/29/2011

I wish you the best James for your determination to finish all your various degrees from College and your a fine actor as well.

[Generic Acct]

04:39 PM on 10/29/2011

meh he seems completely oblivious to his own immense privilege. he's a talented guy, but he's also a famous millionaire. the whole thing sort of smacks of paris hilton saying she's a 'business woman' or whatever.

[SuperBucky]

12:52 PM on 10/29/2011

This is an EGO out of whack. If you are really doing what you love, stop bragging about it and just do it.

[Tamzin Brown]

03:56 AM on 11/03/2011

It seems evident to me that he's spending a lot more time doing what inspires him than talking about it 'Super Bucky'.

[Ron in NYC]

11:21 AM on 10/29/2011

Still trying to find the byline to this story that is laced with drippy sarcasm and appears to have been written by someone with an ax to grind. Say what you will about Mr. Franco, there's nothing wrong with furthering one's education in the arts which he has done, and as many other successful actors such as Jodie Foster have done. The fact that he may want to do something besides acting - and that includes writing, directing, producing or publishing a magazine - is no reason to hurl insults. James Franco is just telling the world that he's anything but a one-trick pony. It would appear that the only 'thoughts' this writer is looking for is someone to join him (or her) in trashing Franco. Sorry, it won't be me. I'm a fan.

[bocoe]

02:36 AM on 10/29/2011

Whats to hate? Go James, do your thang. You got it going on, and the nay sayers hate it. Stay strong and be you.
Your fan.

[jonnyfrog]

12:35 AM on 10/29/2011

It's all part of his master plan- or he's just making it up as he goes...

[Pelican1983]

12:15 AM on 10/29/2011

I don't hate James Franco.

I think James Franco hates James Franco.

[Ron in NYC]

11:26 AM on 10/29/2011

I don't believe that at all. I think there's more to that little smirk than you know. He's seems to be enjoying himself - and above all, doesn't take himself too seriously. Sounds like there are a lot of folks out there who are downright jealous of his success.

[Pelican1983]

02:09 AM on 10/31/2011

No, no, I'm not that type of person. I am truly happy for other people's success, which doesn't mean I don't get a little melancholy if I'm not achieving success myself, but it's a separate issue.

Of course, I can't say for sure, but there is something about James Franco that strikes me as self-destructive. It's like he has all these balls in the air because he's afraid if he drops one of them he might have to engage in a moment of introspection.

I'm not saying he's not extremely intelligent and talented, just that his manic pursuit of success in so many differernt fields may be a form of running away from himself.

Just my opinion. I will freely admit that I had no opinion on him before the Oscars...I felt he was hired to do a good job as host and he just made it into a big joke. Unprofessional. Even if he thought it was "performance art," that wasn't his stage. He was a hired hand and he made it all about himself.

[foobros]

11:39 PM on 10/28/2011

I love James Franco. He's hot!

[airbagfailure]

11:00 PM on 10/28/2011

Ahh James.
So much respect. I am such a fan of the fact that he dabbles in many different mediums. It's clear he does it for the love of art and is not in the slightest concerned about his stance in the Plastic Hollywood scene, nor his 'leading man' status.

Everything he's done, you can tell it's been carefully chosen, whether it be something close to his heart, a challenging role, or a bit of fun.
I became a massive fan of his when he appeared as himself on 30 Rock. Genius.

Keep up the good work James. That smile melts us all.