Your Piece of Work can be a Masterpiece!

*Hiragana Times CIA(Cynically Insulting Agency)

In Japan, autumn is also called “art autumn” and it is the time when people honor great pieces of work including paintings and literature. Honored works will gain a reputed position, and consequently their creators will enjoy fame. Every writer is desperate to win awards. Soon, a book called “Prize Winning Tricks,” which casts suspicion on the way these prizes are awarded, will go on sale. Hiragana Times CIA interviewed Mr. GOKOU Matsuo, an author and representative of the Awarded Works Examination Institute (Japan).

CIA: What have you described in this book?

Rep.: In sport, it is possible to rank participants because winners and losers can be clearly judged, but in the world of painting, literary works and movies, impressions and values differ by individual, therefore it is basically impossible to produce a reliable ranking. The judges do this by design.

CIA: Do any inconvenient situations arise because of this?

Rep.: Naturally the intentions of the judges are reflected. Take, for example, in the world of art – judges will select a winner based on who is most advantageous for them. In short, he or she may select a winner from within their artistic circle if any members are competing. If a winner is chosen from the judge’s circle, then he can attract more disciples and his circle will thrive. Furthermore, the sponsoring organization selects the judges. As a matter of course, the judges who will support the goals of the sponsoring organization will be selected.

CIA: Well then, won’t each winner be selected according to the behind-the-scenes plans of the respective fields?

Rep.: It’s common practice. If a piece of art painted for fun by a TV talento or a prominent person receives an award at an art exhibition, many people are likely to think the sponsor group awarded the prizes to these people in order to increase the name value of their exhibition. And there will be persistent rumors that someone who makes a donation to an art circle will win a prize.

CIA: Doesn’t this mean they buy prizes?

Rep.: Do you think that pictures of PICASSO are really splendid? It’s not the works themselves that move the public, rather it is those that are admired by leaders in the field that are called “masterpieces.” That’s why every artist badly wants to win a prize even if they have to pay for it. Behind the scenes, the desire of artists who yearn for honor and the desire of artistic circles or judges who wish to enjoy enduring prosperity are a perfect match.

CIA: So, you are saying that what people see is “intentionally produced masterpieces.” Is this correct?

Rep.: Exactly! Most people don’t have much time to go to museums or exhibitions to view art. They have to rely on the opinions of critics and experts in the field. Therefore they are prone to easily believe that the works selected by such renowned experts are actually masterpieces. In this manner, the “intentionally produced masterpieces” receive respect and honor.

Comment from CIA
It is also believed that literary prizes are awarded according to the intentions of publishing companies. We heard that even Nobel prizes are greatly influenced by behind-the-scenes scheming. By the way, speaking of Nobel prizes, a Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to a Japanese politician. At the time, it was said that he obtained it due to Japanese diplomatic efforts. Do you remember who the person is? You don’t know, do you? We wonder whether Nobel prizes given to people whose names and achievements are completely forgotten are indeed worthy ... ?

*Hiragana Times CIA(Cynically Insulting Agency)

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