This seems to belong to our art zeitgeist, where infatuation with backstories far obliterates almost all consideration of the art. The two best backstories artists can offer are) they've suffered oppression; and b) they're already famous for doing something else. It's really quite similar to Hunter Biden making a pile off his paintings, elephants using their trunks to paint pictures, and 8-year-old painters making Hans Hofmann paintings (that's supposed to be a joke!).
We are in a strange moment where art no longer matters to the art world.
Something tells me these folks don't have to work too hard to find gallery representation. I was surprised at the appallingly pedestrian nature of Bob Dylan's art (even if he is a fave of Jonathan Jones), given that he's been one of the most adventurous songwriters of our times.
I would recommend Jane Hirshfield's Nine Gates. It's a book of essays on poetry but it applies to art in general. If I was still teaching it would be a required book for anyone who wants to be an artist. I can't take this seriously but it's a good laugh
Thanks for this, Ann. Liu with Stone following are by far the best. I guess this level of visibility is to be expected, as long as systems don't adapt to showing the breadth and depth of what is actually going on in art right now.
Some have a "Dancing Bear" quality, but a few show technique, ability, effort. Even more, all reveal marketing - off their names. I don't know; if you can sell and your name does it, is that wrong? I suppose, yes, because the recognition is due to a different ability where some of these people excel but does not translate to visual art. The emperor spins on his chair and everyone sees a pirouette.
Nepo artists, zombie formalism, celebrity challenge. There’s always been an infatuation with actors, musicians. Wanting to be celebrated when they start to decline doesn’t make for great art. When you’re famous you can paint of sculpt anything and people will follow in droves thinking it’s great only continuing mediocrity
I guess “art” is in billfold of the buyer or the press releases of the agent. Are galleries acting like Broadway now and need film and television stars to attract audiences aka buyers?
Oh, Lordy. I have no objection to all who want to be creative. And it is hard to talk about art which is why most artist statements are usually so awful. But it's hard to stomach all this especially when the work sells for so much. And I am okay with being crabby about that....not bitter, just crabby.
This seems to belong to our art zeitgeist, where infatuation with backstories far obliterates almost all consideration of the art. The two best backstories artists can offer are) they've suffered oppression; and b) they're already famous for doing something else. It's really quite similar to Hunter Biden making a pile off his paintings, elephants using their trunks to paint pictures, and 8-year-old painters making Hans Hofmann paintings (that's supposed to be a joke!).
We are in a strange moment where art no longer matters to the art world.
Something tells me these folks don't have to work too hard to find gallery representation. I was surprised at the appallingly pedestrian nature of Bob Dylan's art (even if he is a fave of Jonathan Jones), given that he's been one of the most adventurous songwriters of our times.
I would recommend Jane Hirshfield's Nine Gates. It's a book of essays on poetry but it applies to art in general. If I was still teaching it would be a required book for anyone who wants to be an artist. I can't take this seriously but it's a good laugh
Thanks for this, Ann. Liu with Stone following are by far the best. I guess this level of visibility is to be expected, as long as systems don't adapt to showing the breadth and depth of what is actually going on in art right now.
Some have a "Dancing Bear" quality, but a few show technique, ability, effort. Even more, all reveal marketing - off their names. I don't know; if you can sell and your name does it, is that wrong? I suppose, yes, because the recognition is due to a different ability where some of these people excel but does not translate to visual art. The emperor spins on his chair and everyone sees a pirouette.
Stick to acting.
Wondering how many of your 'Celebrity Artists' know and understand the 'Art Vocabulary'.
Nepo artists, zombie formalism, celebrity challenge. There’s always been an infatuation with actors, musicians. Wanting to be celebrated when they start to decline doesn’t make for great art. When you’re famous you can paint of sculpt anything and people will follow in droves thinking it’s great only continuing mediocrity
It seemed like a fun topic to kick off the summer silly season!
Always enjoy your writings!❤️
I am speechless.
I guess “art” is in billfold of the buyer or the press releases of the agent. Are galleries acting like Broadway now and need film and television stars to attract audiences aka buyers?
Yuk.
Oh, Lordy. I have no objection to all who want to be creative. And it is hard to talk about art which is why most artist statements are usually so awful. But it's hard to stomach all this especially when the work sells for so much. And I am okay with being crabby about that....not bitter, just crabby.
I should have included more about prices, because they are outrageously inflated.
What a fine and interesting topic! I could read this all day...
🤮
Yup. That about sums it up.
Wow, I had no idea. I could not live with most of this, but I could not live with most of what passes for art these days.