The Ethical Turn: Daniel Johnston and the Outsider Myth in Pop Culture
An article from artpress2 published in 2013 examines the evolving meaning of 'outsider' in the art world, shifting from aesthetic to ethical considerations, with musician Daniel Johnston as a focal point. Born in Sacramento in 1961, Johnston struggled with manic-depressive disorder and produced hundreds of songs. His rise to fame began in 1985 through MTV and was further propelled in 1992 when Kurt Cobain showcased his cassette cover. Johnston was signed to Atlantic Records between 1994 and 1996, with his music covered by artists like Tom Waits, Pearl Jam, and Beck. The piece asserts that the underground community regards Johnston as a 'genius' due to his authenticity. The exhibition 'Welcome To My World! Daniel Johnston' took place in Nantes in 2012 and in Lausanne from March 15 to June 30, 2013.
Key facts
- Daniel Johnston was born in Sacramento in 1961.
- He began recording songs in adolescence using piano and guitar.
- His music features characters like Casper, Satan, and Laurie Allen.
- He first appeared on MTV in 1985 on 'The Cutting Edge' in Austin.
- Kurt Cobain wore a Johnston T-shirt on MTV in 1992.
- Johnston signed with Atlantic Records from 1994 to 1996.
- His songs have been covered by Tom Waits, Pearl Jam, and Beck.
- The exhibition 'Welcome To My World! Daniel Johnston' was held at Le Lieu unique in Nantes (2012) and Collection de l'Art Brut in Lausanne (March 15–June 30, 2013).
Entities
Artists
- Daniel Johnston
- Peter Zaremba
- Jad Fair
- Sonic Youth
- Moe Tucker
- Kurt Cobain
- Tom Waits
- Pearl Jam
- Beck
- Lord Byron
- Vincent van Gogh
- Virginia Woolf
- Bob Dylan
- John Lennon
- Brian Wilson
- Roland Barthes
- Jeff Feuerzeig
- Laurie Allen
- Casper the Friendly Ghost
- Satan
- Captain America
- Frankenstein
- Joe the Boxer
Institutions
- MTV
- Atlantic Records
- Le Lieu unique
- Collection de l'Art Brut
- artpress2
Locations
- Sacramento
- Austin
- New York
- Nantes
- Lausanne
- United States
- Switzerland
Sources
- artpress —