"My most favorite artist? The problem with that question," says Frank Stella, settling back in his chair, "is what's the point of it?"
The frankly worshipful audience that's gathered at the Iwate Museum of Art in Morioka City to hear New York-based artist Stella discuss his career and new work is audibly taken aback. Some people even look nervous -- this is, after all, only the first question Stella's been asked, and it should have been a breeze, a gentle warm-up.
"I can give you an answer," he continues imperturbably, in a confident, humorous voice. "It'll make you wonder: Correggio. You'd have to go to Parma, to look at the paintings. You see, he's very different from Michelangelo, although with the same level of intensity. It doesn't quite add up, which makes it very interesting."