after reading an article in the newspaper a few weeks ago, i began to wonder about the state of the artistic community. the article outlined the lineup for the whitney biennial at the whitney museum of modern art in new york city. after reading the article, i have to admit that i felt a bit depressed. i am not an expert in modern art or any kind of art really but i have to agree with renoir, "why shouldn't art be pretty?"
According to the author of the article, blake gopnik, the state of the american art landscape is fairly bleak. based on what i have seen on the local binghamton, ny scene, i would have to agree. binghamton university is apparently a hotbed of 'talent'- i say that tongue-in-cheek because i feel that artists today have fallen into the same mediocrity and lack of vision that is currently plaguing america across the board. i was going to link to one in particular and i actually debated about it because he can't even be bothered to title his work. i have opted to not link directly to his site because, quite frankly, i don't want his site to get that much traffic. if you are so inclined to look- you can go to johnros.com and check it out. i would say that unless you plan to buy some of his 'art' don't bother.
a recent example of 'pop' art caused quite a stir when daniel edwards unveiled his sculpture of a nude britney spears giving birth. i understand the idea behind the piece, but really- do we need to see that? he couldn't have picked a better way to show his feelings about pop culture? gone is the time when artists had not only a passion to create, but a vision or idea behind their creations. it seems nowadays that being an artist is 'en vogue' and a source of identity rather than true vision and the only way to get noticed is to be crass, vulgar and shocking. i am not talking just the visual arts either- lest people think i am targeting that genre. calling all poets, musicians, writers, etc- where are you?
with all of the war-mongering and political upheaval here in america and globally, i wonder where are the artists? protest art was a driving force in the 20th century. a few names come to mind: picasso, joan baez, bob dylan, the beat movement, etc. some of them were directly involved in changing public perceptions with their art, as in picasso's guernica, and others were peripherally involved as in the case of bob dylan- whose words were used by others to evoke changes. unless i am missing something, i haven't seen much along those lines here in america. i am not saying that it doesn't exist, but perhaps it should exist outside the art community and their coffee klatches.
now, i realize that i am oversimplifying the issue and, as i am not an 'expert', i would not be taken seriously outside of my blog. i do have a grasp as to what is real and what is poserish and i think most people do. i just don't think that the virgin mary made out of cow dung is a relevent statement. i don't feel that artists should be censored, but, in areas where people can afford art supplies, the media used should at least be sanitary.
there is hope on the horizon. i am sure that artists with a vision or something to say will make a comeback- just as the progressive, middle ground portion of the population will resurge following the disastarous conservative movement in this country. there are still intelligent, thoughtful, forward-thinking and forward-moving people out there. we just have to look for them.
4 comments:
quite an interesting post. i have to be honest, i agree with you on some of your points -- obviously, the one i disagree with most is that my work does not attempt to engage the public (directly involved in changing public perceptions with [my] art) i work on a daily basis fighting mediocrity and a lack of vision -- in art and in life. you are obviously entitled to your opinion about my work on a whole, but don’t attempt to understand the work i put into cultural, social and political change each and everyday based on your limited and uninformed knowledge of what i do.
i find it possibly more intriguing that my untitled work affects you the way it does. that is one of the major ways i keep the public involved. i do title much of my more obvious political work, i keep others untitled because rather than tell you what you are looking at, i want to offer the opportunity for the viewer to think about what they are looking at, looking deep into themselves for discovery through emotion and passion. art is only complete when it is viewed and experienced by others. but then again i would expect a free thinker not only to understand that but to encourage it.
before art can begin to make any type of change, what you call protest art, it must involve the public into a new way of thinking. we are living in a world of mass consumption, over-stimulation, quick-fixes, and complacency with the status quo, therefore art must begin at square one. there are still those who think art is a pretty watercolor of a bowl of fruit or a crapy landscape photo of the mountains with a gorgeous title. in order to begin to engage, we must allow the audience to think for themselves, encouraging critical thinking and dialogue. allowing people to realize that art gives as much to someone based on the amount that person is willing to take.
from there, once people realize their effort and role in art, we can begin a dialogue. one that can hopefully begin a change. a movement.
i hope you continue to find artwork that suits your tastes. look, you found something you could respond to from my site-- ayanah moor, a good friend is a great artist, willing to move people throughout. i respect her and that is why i share her art with my viewers. other than that, in binghamton there are some great things happening in small pockets, there always has been, but you may want to try the met or national gallery in washington. there are many renoirs and lots of titles.
i am not getting into a pissing contest over who is more political and i did say that i wasn't an art expert. if most of your posts were political or art related, then i would say- ok maybe i misunderstood. many of your posts to your public deal with your pre-occupation with the past- and not what is going on in the moment. i agree with letting the audience make up their own minds on what they are seeing- but that is also a passive way of making a statement i would say.
i will simply reply with this and let it go. first of all, art making is about the past, present and future. everything we are, have done, obsess about, are part of the creation of art. i don’t know who you think i am or what you think you know about me, but my posts are always about the daily production of art work.
secondly, my work in the arts has been anything but passive. i have worked hard to make art accessible to everyone with the hope of stirring up quality change. again, your lack of knowing who i am or what i have done for the community leaves you uninformed.
i hope you find everything you are looking for in art and in life.
peace.
thank you for the sentiment- i am sure that i will continue to find the paths i seek- as life is a continuous journey of learning, feeling, experiencing. what i know about you is from reading your blog- and i am willing to admit that i may be wrong because i haven't read your blog in many weeks. i stopped reading when most of the regular posts had to do with reminiscing or thinking about the past because there is a future out there waiting to be made. perhaps it is my own desire to move forward and make new things happen that has clouded my judgment towards your site.
i do happen to keep current with binghamton news so i do know that there is a small art community that is trying to kindle a flame in binghamton. i say good luck and go for it. upstate new york and new york state in the bigger picture is in trouble. young people are leaving in droves for better opportunities. if there is any way to rectify that, then, i say go for it.
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