{"id":40908,"date":"2026-09-22T15:38:01","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T12:38:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rosenbachgallery.com\/?post_type=product&#038;p=40908"},"modified":"2026-11-03T15:34:39","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T13:34:39","slug":"jared-bernstein-king-mediocre","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/www.rosenbachgallery.com\/he\/artwork\/jared-bernstein-king-mediocre\/","title":{"rendered":"Jared Bernstein, King Mediocre"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\nFacing all my fears <br \/>\nWith silent primal tears <br \/>\nShowering my peers<br \/>\nGrabbing at straws<br \/>\nSwinging from trees<br \/>\nChucking spears<br \/>\nSomething seems queer<br \/>\nI\u2019ve heard the jeers<br \/>\nSeen the sneers<br \/>\nA constellation of spheres<br \/>\nI\u2019ve made my career<br \/>\nBegging for your cheers<br \/>\nIt\u2019s crystal clear<br \/>\nI sense that you\u2019re near<br \/>\nIt\u2019s bizarre I\u2019m a star<br \/>\nUnfazed<br \/>\nStill running plays from the old days<br \/>\nRiding the waves<br \/>\nAnother fleeting crave<br \/>\nCrazy like a craze<br \/>\nEntering a new phase<br \/>\nChanging my evil ways<br \/>\nThe way I behaves<br \/>\nOnly my mother gives praise <br \/>\nBut still I\u2019m dazed<br \/>\nConfused and amazed <br \/>\nStill chasing my tail in this maze<br \/>\nPutting the future in front of the past<br \/>\nFirst things first last things last<br \/>\nThat deserves its own paragraph<br \/>\nBut this is just a rough draft<br \/>\nAt best <br \/>\nAlas<br \/>\nThis is going nowhere fast<br \/>\nMastering my craft<br \/>\nAt last<br \/>\nOn point<br \/>\nAnd on task<br \/>\nFeeling rash<br \/>\nTaking every risk<br \/>\nFlying my flag at full mast\n<\/p>\n<section class=\"rg-curatorial-notes\">\n<h3>Curatorial notes<\/h3>\n<p><em>King Mediocre<\/em> is a humorous and deeply self-aware reflection on ambition, recognition, and the search for self-worth. Crowned yet uncertain, the central figure appears caught between confidence and self-doubt, embodying the contradictions that often accompany creative life. The poem moves through insecurity, perseverance, longing for approval, and the gradual realization that personal growth matters more than external validation. Bernstein acknowledges the desire for praise while simultaneously questioning its importance, embracing both his imperfections and his aspirations. Through playful language, expressive imagery, and characteristic honesty, the work transforms &#8220;mediocrity&#8221; into a badge of humility and resilience. Rather than presenting himself as a conquering hero, Bernstein celebrates the ongoing process of learning, evolving, and continuing forward with courage, humor, and determination.<\/p>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u05d0\u05e7\u05e8\u05d9\u05dc\u05d9\u05e7, \u05d2\u05d9\u05e8 \u05e9\u05de\u05df, \u05e2\u05d9\u05e4\u05e8\u05d5\u05df \u05d2\u05e8\u05e4\u05d9\u05d8 \u05d5\u05e6\u05d1\u05e2 \u05e1\u05e4\u05e8\u05d9\u05d9 \u05e2\u05dc \u05e7\u05e0\u05d1\u05e1<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":40292,"template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[779,760],"product_tag":[817,752,797,799],"class_list":["post-40908","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_cat-jared-bernstein-paintings","product_cat-paintings","product_tag-817","product_tag-jared-bernstein","product_tag-original-artwork","product_tag-paintings","post","post-with-thumbnail","post-with-thumbnail-large","first","instock","sold-individually","taxable","shipping-taxable","purchasable","product-type-simple"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rosenbachgallery.com\/he\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/40908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rosenbachgallery.com\/he\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rosenbachgallery.com\/he\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rosenbachgallery.com\/he\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rosenbachgallery.com\/he\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=40908"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rosenbachgallery.com\/he\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=40908"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rosenbachgallery.com\/he\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=40908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}