The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible - Bastiat Institute

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Chapter 16 • Nothing To It
the full essence of the spirit of human struggle for that exalted
sense of awareness that one only feels when contrasting the fuller
warmth of the fi ner hues with the tactile awareness of our inner
nature. Nothing allows everyone to fully experience the best of the
collective imagination.”
Befuddled, Jonathan shook his head and asked in puzzlement,
“So it’s really nothing? How can nothing be art?”
“That’s precisely what makes it the most egalitarian expression
of art. The Council’s Commission on the Arts holds a tastefully
executed lottery to make the selection,” said the librarian.
“A lottery to select art?” asked Jonathan in astonishment. “Why
a lottery?”
“In more backward days an appointed Board of Fine Art made
the selections,” replied the man. “At fi rst, critics accused the Board
of favouring their own tastes. They censored art that they disliked.
Since the ordinary citizen paid for the preferences of the Board
through taxes, people objected to the elitism.”
“What about trying a different Board?” suggested Jonathan.
“Oh, yes we tried that many times. But people sitting on the
Board could never agree with those who were not on the Board.
So they fi nally scrapped the whole Board idea – replacing it with
our new Commission and lottery. Everyone agreed that a lottery
was the only objectively subjective method. Anyone could enter the
competition and nearly everyone did! The Council of Lords made
the prize as generous as possible and any piece qualifi ed. ‘Void in
Flight’ won the drawing just this morning.”
Jonathan interjected, “But why not let everyone buy their own
art instead of taxing them to buy a lottery selection? Then everyone
could pick what they like.”
“What!” the librarian exclaimed. “Some selfi sh individuals might
not buy anything and others might have bad taste. No, indeed, the
Lords must show their support for the arts!” Concentrating on “Void
in Flight”, the librarian crossed his arms, and a vague expression
covered his face. “Nice selection, don’t you agree? Emptiness has
the advantage of keeping the library entrance uncluttered while
simultaneously preserving the environment. Moreover,” he continued
happily, “no one can object to the artistic quality or to the aesthetic
style of this masterpiece. Who could possibly be offended?”