Why am I perplex every time I make an attempt to listen to anything Kanye West says. Each time, I am like,… err? What did he mean? I am clueless! He usually talks a lot, gives discourses, makes rants, long tirades but I don’t get it, I don’t get what he means even though he always wants to give the impression he is saying something very deep! West thinks he is an important philosopher, an art historian, an influential designer, or the equivalent of a deep thinker, he uses words like creativity or realization a lot, but only ends up with non-sense sentences, big inflated formulas which have the vague appearance of ideas but are in fact totally empty inside. I am sorry but this guy never, never makes sense for me, I can’t never figure out what he says! And clothing, the clothing industry is such a big deal for him that he treats anything related to fashion as if it was the New World Order; for this reasons, I can’t take anything he says seriously.
On Monday, Kanye West gave a speech at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and the word ‘design’ was probably enough for him to get excited. He is this kind of guy, getting excited about a word, having all kinds of thoughts vaguely related to each other getting on his mind at the same time, and producing this collage of words that can only make sense to Kim Kardashian, and will make you unnecessarily scratch your head for a minute or two. This is what he said (transcript through Stereogum):
‘So after walking through here I decided that I wanted to make sure for anyone that didn’t have tickets tonight that you all could have tickets to the show. So anybody who wants to come tonight, you can have tickets for the entire office! [CHEERS, MAD LAUGHTER]
But I just wanted to tell you guys: I really do believe that the world can be saved through design, and everything needs to actually be “architected.” And this is the reason why even some of the first DONDA employees were architects that started designing t-shirts instead of buildings. But just to see the work actually be actualized.
If I sit down and talk to Oprah for 2 hours, the conversation is about realization, self realization, and actually seeing your creativity happen in front of you. So the reason why I turn up so much in interviews is because I’ve tasted what it means to create and be able to impact, and affect in a positive way.
And I know that there’s more creativity to happen. And I know that there’s traditionalists that hold back the good thoughts and there’s people in offices that stop the creative people, and [who] are intimidated by actual good ideas.
I believe that utopia is actually possible–but we’re led by the least noble, the least dignified, the least tasteful, the dumbest, and the most political. So in no way am I a politician–I’m usually at my best politically incorrect [LAUGHTER] and very direct. I really appreciate you guys’ willingness to learn and hone your craft, and not be lazy about creation.
I’m very inspired to be in this space. Tonight, this show, if you come see it–um, I’m a bit self conscious because I’m showing it to architects. [LAUGHTER] So the stage does have flaws in it. [LAUGHTER] It’s an expression of emotion so give me a pass on that. And that’s basically all I have to say so thank you very much.’
‘The world can be saved through design’? ‘Everything needs to actually be ‘architected’? Err? And this was part of DONDA’s “design lecture series’,… a lecture? I don’t think Kanye has the slightest idea of what a lecture is, and DONDA (if you are like me and are wondering) is his company, employing ‘lawyers, architects, graphic designers, directors musicians, producers, AnRs, writers, publicist, social media experts, app guys, managers, car designers, clothing designers, DJs, video game designers, publishers, tech guys, lawyers, bankers, nutritionist, doctors, scientist, teachers…’, all united ‘to dream of, create, advertise, and produce products driven equally by emotional want and utilitarian need. To marry our wants and needs.’ According to Kanye, they have made t-shirts, which is sure the first step toward utopia.
Kanye West believing he can change the world by making some overpriced hip hop tees is one thing, but other people actually believing it is another story! Kanye West is the Deepak Chopra of design, he doesn’t know shit about it but improvises himself as the most influential authority in the field and gives new age-y lectures at Universities speaking with made-up words. Plus, he does the Oprah show like Chopra! How can anyone take him seriously? At least these Harvard students got free tickets.