Lala Drona in her first ever public radio appearance on Beijing International Radio. Listen to her interview on Touch Beijing 93.2FM, where she explains what it means to be a visual artist today, and how Beijing has inspired her art. Stay tuned until the end where she reveals her plot for the future.
Artists are rising up and speaking out against “unfair” Art World legislation. After the Muse Strikes last year, the Art Guild granted Muses union protection in order to avoid the exploitation of their services to artists. Since legislation passed, thousands of Muse Service Provider companies have emerged, stimulating Art World economy and reducing the number of Muse Abuse reports.
Although Muse abuse reports are at an all time low, artists and muses across the globe are claiming that Muse exploitation is in fact rising. Since the birth of the Muse industry, new requirements for Muse education program certificates have limited low income Muses in their job-search.
Lala Drona and Lans Thorne teaming up against the Art Guild.
Muses with unconventional inspiration tactics have been pushed aside due to Muse Service Provider’s strict selection process and standardized health tests. Many young and inexperienced Muses are being forced to sell their services on the black market, a place where union support is obviously not granted. “If Muses want to report abuse to the authorities, they’ll be thrown in jail for participating in the black market,” states artist Lans Thorne. “This explains the decrease in Muse abuse reports.”
Strict regulations on Muse services have also negatively affected the artists. Due to mandatory full disclosure contracts, artists lack a level of privacy and trust required to create with their Muses. Strict time regulations impede the artistic process. Even if the Muse would like to prolong the meeting with his/her artist, he/she cannot due to a breach of contract.
As legal Muse service prices have sky-rocketed, low income artists have also been forced to search for their Muses on the black market. Artists like Fred Le Chevalier have begun to speak out against the system that exploits Muses for their services. “The muses aren’t paid as well as they should be under these service providers. All the money goes to the company and to [the Art Guild] in the form of fees and taxes.”
Lala Drona and Fred Le Chevalier teaming up against the Art Guild.
What seems to be troubling Lala and other artists the most is the increase in illegal Muse trading. “Yes, I torture and abuse my Muses, but I’ve never done anything against their will. The increase in Muse trading is a direct consequence to an overly regulated and ridged system that makes the rich richer.”
Lala has teamed up with other Parisian artists in the aim to change Art legislation. She was caught last week discussing tactics with Lans Thorne at his exhibition This Synthetic Life. In addition, Lala was spotted making peace with artist Fred Le Chevalier at his current exhibition in Paris. Are these artists teaming up in order to bring the Art Guild down? Does Lala really want to save the Muses, or is this a petty attempt at revenge against the Art Guild convicting her to Art Prison? Stay tuned as things start heating up in The Lala World.
Based on a Fact
Angela Goodall, Journalist at A-Musing Magazine
Based On a Fact apologizes for the absence of a Lala Drona article. A quiet lull has taken over workshops everywhere as at 10 am on January 24th, muses have officially announced that they have gone on strike. Due to harsh work conditions, low to no-pay and no artistic credit, muses have assembled to fight for visibility and rights within the artistic community. Muses state that they cannot continue to be the “brains behind the operation” without proper compensation. Throughout the ages, muses have been exploited for their work, and are currently looking to institutionalize their practices. Pauline Devenport, a self-proclaimed muse, would like to start her own business, a company that provides inspirational services. “We would provide “muse” services to companies and individuals. This means protection and financial compensation for muses’ work. But first, we have to unionize.”
Since rising up, muses have experienced quite the backlash. Artists have said that inspiration does not have constraints, that it comes from everywhere. Whether it be a tree, a sunrise or a conversation with someone. Many say that the relationship between artist and muse is private and that institutionalizing the idea of the muse will limit artistic expression.
One thing that this strike has illuminated is that artist and muse are not mutually exclusive. Artistic activity everywhere is at a standstill while artists sit blankly in front of their projects without their muses. Artists and muses are set to negotiate muse demands tomorrow afternoon in an online debate. Whatever the outcome of the debate, an exciting future awaits the ever-changing art community, as muses obtain long-awaited visibility within the art sphere.
Based On a Fact
“Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.” -Narcotics Anonymous
“This is the way the world ends
Neither with a bang nor with a whimper.”
Based On A Fact 
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