I loved this, especially the Hirst part. The contemporary art market may end up being the bubble of all bubbles.
Your reaction to the Hirst defense is priceless.
"For anyone with just a passing familiarity of curation, museum requirements, and art market standards, this is a stupendous and brilliant amount of drivel, to the extend that some people might even call it art. The con is exposed, the evidence is visible, yet the conman, as always, reveals a dexterity with the truth that must be admired."
I could read your take on art all day long. And I didn't know that about Hirst and backdating haha but as someone who didn't drop tons of money on his work, i find it as hilarious as it is deceptive. Hope a book of your essays will be out soon.
Your essay includes the words “drivel” and “con” which is how I feel about much of modern art. It’s often about shock or novelty, but what about skill and beauty? The late philosopher Roger Scruton did an excellent three part documentary on beauty and art (YouTube scrubbed it but you can still find it on Vimeo). When I was in Florence staring awe struck at Michelangelo’s David, I didn’t need a curator’s card to explain the work. The skill and beauty were stunning.
I've really appreciated how Museums have stepped up their game with labeling and providing context for the art. But, I do wonder why folks read first. I find it most rewarding to look around and find the pieces I really like, then check the titles and description if available. I then go back to the section, artist or room introduction and learn a lot more. I certainly see how leaving the art as the last thing examined can minimize the experience. On the other hand, for me, more information is better. I'm curious about people, motivation etc. I hope that doesn't mean I need drivel to fully enjoy, not that I care.
I recently read Trent Dalton’s Lola in the Mirror in which every chapter is separated by an exhibition label of the protagonist’s artworks (she is an artist, and the exhibition labels allude to her becoming successful by the end)
I loved this, especially the Hirst part. The contemporary art market may end up being the bubble of all bubbles.
Your reaction to the Hirst defense is priceless.
"For anyone with just a passing familiarity of curation, museum requirements, and art market standards, this is a stupendous and brilliant amount of drivel, to the extend that some people might even call it art. The con is exposed, the evidence is visible, yet the conman, as always, reveals a dexterity with the truth that must be admired."
I could read your take on art all day long. And I didn't know that about Hirst and backdating haha but as someone who didn't drop tons of money on his work, i find it as hilarious as it is deceptive. Hope a book of your essays will be out soon.
Your essay includes the words “drivel” and “con” which is how I feel about much of modern art. It’s often about shock or novelty, but what about skill and beauty? The late philosopher Roger Scruton did an excellent three part documentary on beauty and art (YouTube scrubbed it but you can still find it on Vimeo). When I was in Florence staring awe struck at Michelangelo’s David, I didn’t need a curator’s card to explain the work. The skill and beauty were stunning.
I've really appreciated how Museums have stepped up their game with labeling and providing context for the art. But, I do wonder why folks read first. I find it most rewarding to look around and find the pieces I really like, then check the titles and description if available. I then go back to the section, artist or room introduction and learn a lot more. I certainly see how leaving the art as the last thing examined can minimize the experience. On the other hand, for me, more information is better. I'm curious about people, motivation etc. I hope that doesn't mean I need drivel to fully enjoy, not that I care.
I recently read Trent Dalton’s Lola in the Mirror in which every chapter is separated by an exhibition label of the protagonist’s artworks (she is an artist, and the exhibition labels allude to her becoming successful by the end)