The sh*t that passes as art these days...

Recently, I was checking out a blog that's dedicated to new avant garde artists; showcasing and interviewing them to give them exposure. I feel that art in general is becoming one of our most lost resources with the advent of such immediate vehicles like the internet. People's true talent can be easily trumped and forgotten about in a minute's time. It's great when artists get a steady forum to showcase themselves.
That being said, I was quite shocked at what is being classified as "art" by this website.
Many of the "artists" (and I use the term losely) were nothing more than coked up kids copying the same boundary pushing art that turned them on instead of finding different ways to make statements. I mean how many pictures of naked waif-like boys in half-filled bathtubs can be considered fresh and unique?

The shock-art of Ryan McGinnely and Slava Mogutin has been around and is now almost mainstream. Addicted youth acting out their insane lives in front of an 8mm is the theme of some of your favorite ad campaigns. Last month's issue of DETAILS showed a glistening male model tied down to a chair S&M style with a bunch of high-end accessories under the title "Are You a Fashion Victim?" Beyonce's latest video starts out with a twenty second dialogue a'la 90's Calvin Klein and of course Terry Richardson and Jurgen Teller are the kings of fashion editorials pining for the carefree slum-days in 90's SOHO. Art is definitely succumbing to the dollar faster than it ever has before. I stress that this train of though is already existant and the repetition of such can't truly be considered real thought provoking art as much as it's "hipster porn."

I'm as upset as this rant sounds, seriously. Vintage porn mache'd onto a Care Bears lamp isn't really making any statement other than "Oh, I'm super fucking rad because I can plaster obscene shit onto my kid sister's bedroom furniture." Soon there's going to be someone who will sift through all of this melange of insufferable boundary pushing and shine a light of newness onto this scene. That day will be awesome.

Comments

Art is subjective.

That being said... I totally agree with you.
When I was in Paris I absolutely loved the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay.
But when we got to Centre Pompidou (modern art)... ridiculous.
If you put a wheel on a chair, that's art these days... ugh.

Art isn't what it used to be. Although there are still artists who make beautiful works of art.

The one piece of art that impressed me most was the Gate of Hell by Rodin. Just amazing
 
Well, art is a medium of creativity and expression. As an artist, I do know that at times it is hard for people to like or understand what I do.

Creating something fresh and something interesting to everyone is a tall order. How do you satisfy EVERYONE's tastes? Do we as artists create for the people or to our satisfaction?

Schadenfreude and hypercriticism only stifles great art but only if the artist allows it. But in America, you have people judging each other on reality shows.

Maybe it is shit. You have to ask the artist how did they come up with some of their art that you didn't like.
 
Soon there's going to be someone who will sift through all of this melange of insufferable boundary pushing and shine a light of newness onto this scene. That day will be awesome.


Why not you? Why not today?

The world is waiting for you to light it up with your creative genius - just be sure to post a link!

All the best! ♥
 
I agree with Invisi.

Plus, I think you have to allow yourself not to get it at the moment and return to it and see if it resonates at a later time - I had that sort of awakening with Picasso and Sally Mann.

One of my favorite artists is Robert Mapplethorpe - he made a career of portraying the struggle with his demons, and ultimately with death itself.
Some argued that what he offered was not art as much as shock photography, but I see the skill and aesthetics behind even the most disturbing images--and sense I can't replicate it, because it takes an artistic eye and know-how a true artist does possess--even if I do not always "get it". :shrug:
 
I am taking a class that is showcasing modern art.

As far as I see it, if an artist needs to feed his audience a huge line of bullshit and explanations, he has failed.

And most modern art is complete and utter bullshit. Some of it isn't even new, like a shark in formaldehyde at the New York Met. People have been mounting animals in ferocious poses fro centuries now.

And shock art is still the rage, and it is still plain stupid, and the people who are connecting themselves to their own garbage are garbage. I could pump out hundreds of shock art pieces and explain the genius paradigms of them, but I have some things called pride and taste.

I am working on my final project for this class right now, so it is cool you blogged about it.
 
I feel you've made a very narrow statement about art. Yes, plenty of people do just what you said, self included. I also create my own ideas and display them elsewhere. I post my art where I feel it fits best. For instance, I won't post anything formless in a place dedicated to erotica. Even in erotica, there is creativity. From your post, I get the vibe that you see it all the same. I may be wrong but that's the vibe I'm given.

There are plenty of absolutely ABSURD creations and ideas out there that are still called 'art', as New End and Glenn pointed out. Invisi is absolutely right in this line:

Creating something fresh and something interesting to everyone is a tall order. How do you satisfy EVERYONE's tastes? Do we as artists create for the people or to our satisfaction?

I cater to my own tastes. There are artists out there seeking to be noticed for what they do, however. Those people are just likely what you'll enjoy more... though they often tend to be the same boring photographers or modern artists that find their own ideas of beauty (or whatever it is they're going for) in something I consider absolutely bland or even atrocious. For the longest time, my view on photography somewhat matched your view on what passes for art. I've began finding photography that I actually liked, though, and my opinion is veering. I should hope the same for you.

As someone else said, art is subjective.
 
Reading some of the comments, I got the feeling that I didn't really explain my standpoint well. I'm just gonna touch on a few comments that should be touched.

New End said: As far as I see it, if an artist needs to feed his audience a huge line of bullshit and explanations, he has failed.

I totally agree with you.

And most modern art is complete and utter bullshit. Some of it isn't even new, like a shark in formaldehyde at the New York Met. People have been mounting animals in ferocious poses fro centuries now.

Whoa, okay. I gotta stop you there. Damien Hirst is someone I'd consider a great modern artist.

And shock art is still the rage, and it is still plain stupid, and the people who are connecting themselves to their own garbage are garbage. I could pump out hundreds of shock art pieces and explain the genius paradigms of them, but I have some things called pride and taste.

Um, what? I totally lost you there. Shock art works when it's something that not only catches your attention, but keeps it. This is what I was writing about. So many of the pieces on that blog were jsut going for the look of a shock artist's work and not thinking towards making something no one had ever seen before.

Syddy Kitty said: I feel you've made a very narrow statement about art. Yes, plenty of people do just what you said, self included. I also create my own ideas and display them elsewhere. I post my art where I feel it fits best. For instance, I won't post anything formless in a place dedicated to erotica. Even in erotica, there is creativity. From your post, I get the vibe that you see it all the same. I may be wrong but that's the vibe I'm given.

You definitely got me wrong. I'm an artist as well, that's where my judgment is coming from. I've studied pop art specifically since I was a young'n. My feelings about art run deep within me and when I see something that comes off to an average person as "deep and interesting" yet I can clearly tell they've just done a weal-ass knock off...I'm upset.

I've seen what you do, Syddy and I'd consider it good art. It's not my cup of tea, but I know that there is a market for that and people respond to it. I wish I could remember the site url because it is definitely worth posting for you and others to comment on.
 
Heard this one? at the Tate modern 5/6 years back this bloke drops his wallet on the ground and moseys off not noticing. Suddenly realizes damn! and rushes round backtracking to look for it. He then comes across a crowd of people gathered round it assuming it's one of the exhibits. hee hee hee. I lurve modern art btw for it's ridiculousness ;)
 

Blog entry information

Author
yngjock20
Read time
2 min read
Views
623
Comments
8
Last update

More entries in General

More entries from yngjock20

Share this entry