Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Not Much Happening In this Space
All of my blogs on art can be found at NeotericArt.com. Therefore, updates to this one will be infrequent. I will, however, chime in here once in a while with non-art related thoughts.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
MacBook Air
A lot is being written about the MacBook Air. Most of it centers around what you give up for its light weight and whether that's worth it in exchange for the portability. As far as I can tell, no one has mentioned anything about its coolness. It's what gets attention to Apple and draws people into its stores. Of course, once there, they'll buy something else, but it helps draw people into the showroom, much like a sports car will draw people into the dealer. One may come in to look at the new Corvette, but they'll leave in a Malibu. In that way the MacBook Air is important.
Of course, all of the buzz is in the Mac press and it has faded from the mainstream media. I guess people don't care about the latest and greatest computers. They just aren't that interesting.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
My Kid Could Do That
When criticizing, it's wrong to use the term "my kid could do that" in dismissing a work of art. It exposes the ignorance of the reviewer. Obviously, anyone that would look at something and say that is a rube.
Recently, I attended a couple of openings for shows of mid-career painters in a respectable first-tier gallery. The artists, while not stars, have impressive resumes. Based on who was there, and the prices of the work, you could say they have successful practices.
I found their stuff underwhelming. The work of the first artist, at least was a little interesting. There was a certain amount of expression of movement through line that showed some thought. However the level of thought displayed, was more like that of a stream-of-conscious doodle on the margin of a book one might do in the middle of a boring telephone conversation. It was the start of something, but was being displayed as finished work. It was pleasing to look at and it smelled nice.
The work of the second artist was less inspiring. The stuff was slapped together mixed media. It displayed a lack of meaning. The collage parts were ugly wallpaper patterns that were partially obscured by thin layers of pigment. The painted parts were awkward slaps of paint from oversized brushes. There was nothing to show that this artist had any vision or anything interesting to say. Since it was very dirivative of basquiat mixed with pattern painting, all I learned was that this person paid attention in art history class and has put together some stuff that is somewhat familiar looking.
I'm generally positive and hate to trash someone's work, but the term "my kid could do that," seems somewhat appropriate. There is a certain amount of laziness to the work. Each piece was a start, but due to a seemingly lack of effort, and exploration, the paintings look to me like the products of short attention spans, like that of a kid.
There's a lot of art like this. It's child-like in its execution and doesn't express much. One could read anything in to it. It sits in the background of the opening like the tinkering of a jazz trio in the corner of a cocktail party. It's really just decoration for a lifestyle. It's not meant to challenge or inspire. It's price, however gives it a certain exclusivity that shows that the buyer and the seller have attained a status above most people. This gives the impression of higher thought.
A lot of popular contemporary art is like this. It's childish, largely unfinished and doesn't say much. Though, maybe that's the point. Any meaning can be attached to it. The dealer can write a few paragraphs that can position the work as something of incredible value. Since the artist spends little effort on it, he has more time to work on his writings and theories that can be presented as knowledge. The lack of substance in the work means that it will enhance the decor of the collector without scaring anybody, yet in some way it shows sophistication.
In any case, art like this shows a lack of attention to the work and more to the marketing and distribution. "My kid could do that," may describe the work itself, but the art is a part of a bigger whole. That lack of understanding of how the art got on the wall of the gallery is what exposes the commenter as a rube. However, the statement still holds true for the work by itself.
Recently, I attended a couple of openings for shows of mid-career painters in a respectable first-tier gallery. The artists, while not stars, have impressive resumes. Based on who was there, and the prices of the work, you could say they have successful practices.
I found their stuff underwhelming. The work of the first artist, at least was a little interesting. There was a certain amount of expression of movement through line that showed some thought. However the level of thought displayed, was more like that of a stream-of-conscious doodle on the margin of a book one might do in the middle of a boring telephone conversation. It was the start of something, but was being displayed as finished work. It was pleasing to look at and it smelled nice.
The work of the second artist was less inspiring. The stuff was slapped together mixed media. It displayed a lack of meaning. The collage parts were ugly wallpaper patterns that were partially obscured by thin layers of pigment. The painted parts were awkward slaps of paint from oversized brushes. There was nothing to show that this artist had any vision or anything interesting to say. Since it was very dirivative of basquiat mixed with pattern painting, all I learned was that this person paid attention in art history class and has put together some stuff that is somewhat familiar looking.
I'm generally positive and hate to trash someone's work, but the term "my kid could do that," seems somewhat appropriate. There is a certain amount of laziness to the work. Each piece was a start, but due to a seemingly lack of effort, and exploration, the paintings look to me like the products of short attention spans, like that of a kid.
There's a lot of art like this. It's child-like in its execution and doesn't express much. One could read anything in to it. It sits in the background of the opening like the tinkering of a jazz trio in the corner of a cocktail party. It's really just decoration for a lifestyle. It's not meant to challenge or inspire. It's price, however gives it a certain exclusivity that shows that the buyer and the seller have attained a status above most people. This gives the impression of higher thought.
A lot of popular contemporary art is like this. It's childish, largely unfinished and doesn't say much. Though, maybe that's the point. Any meaning can be attached to it. The dealer can write a few paragraphs that can position the work as something of incredible value. Since the artist spends little effort on it, he has more time to work on his writings and theories that can be presented as knowledge. The lack of substance in the work means that it will enhance the decor of the collector without scaring anybody, yet in some way it shows sophistication.
In any case, art like this shows a lack of attention to the work and more to the marketing and distribution. "My kid could do that," may describe the work itself, but the art is a part of a bigger whole. That lack of understanding of how the art got on the wall of the gallery is what exposes the commenter as a rube. However, the statement still holds true for the work by itself.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Art and Football
The art world is like a football game. There are participants and there are spectators.
For years, while working on my art, I worked various cubicle jobs for a couple of large companies. These jobs were like being in the stands watching the game. I knew what was going on (or I thought I did) and always felt that one day I'll get to play in it. However, dressing up in an official jersey and sitting in the stands is not being a real part of the game, not an a very important part anyway.
When I finally left the corporate world, I was able to finally go onto the field. For two and a half years, I've suited up and practiced with the team. My skills have improved and the work I've been doing is ready for the market. I'm ready to play. So far, my participation has only been to catch the occasional errant throw to the sidelines.
It takes patience to join the game, especially if you sat in the stands for so long. They have enough players and they aren't really looking for new talent. I'll get my chance, though. So buy my rookie cards now. They are going to be valuable.
For years, while working on my art, I worked various cubicle jobs for a couple of large companies. These jobs were like being in the stands watching the game. I knew what was going on (or I thought I did) and always felt that one day I'll get to play in it. However, dressing up in an official jersey and sitting in the stands is not being a real part of the game, not an a very important part anyway.
When I finally left the corporate world, I was able to finally go onto the field. For two and a half years, I've suited up and practiced with the team. My skills have improved and the work I've been doing is ready for the market. I'm ready to play. So far, my participation has only been to catch the occasional errant throw to the sidelines.
It takes patience to join the game, especially if you sat in the stands for so long. They have enough players and they aren't really looking for new talent. I'll get my chance, though. So buy my rookie cards now. They are going to be valuable.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
What a Ball Club
What a ball club. They gave me a physical; fixed my teeth; helped me with my homework. They'll even help me get to college! Bet ya even the Cubs don't do that.
There's one more thing the Cubs don't do.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Artist's Statement
Xxxx Xxxxxxx is a multi-disciplinary conceptual artist living and working in Manhattan. Her work explores interrelations, interpretations and influences of the concepts of identity, human nature, context, perspective, the role of the image, and the role of the viewer.
A good artist's statement is often times more important than the work. The above statement seems incomprehensible at first, in a pseudo-intellectual way. It sort of puts the artist on a higher plane, but as I read it over a couple of times, it seems to be just a fancy way of saying "anything goes." The statement is really just a generic description of making art. I could replace "multi-disciplinary artist" with "painter" (or just leave it since I do graphics as well) and "Manhattan" with "Chicago" and use this statement for myself.
By dressing up a somewhat broad definition of art like this, the artist and her art seems to be more important than it really is. That can be the difference between puttering around and making an important cultural contribution, or rather a pile of garbage and bunch of expensive objects.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Hello world!
Welcome to my blog. This is part of version 6 of my website. In previous versions, this was an actual page on the site. As part of the site upgrade, this is now on an actual blog site. If you want to read my previous meanderings, they are archived at http://www.dolanart.com/inspiration.html
This is where you'll find my rants, raves and inspiration. In the past I've commented on the urban experience, art world and other junk. In an effort to further myself as an artist, I'll try to comment more on art and the workings of the art world as I see it. Of course, I welcome your comments and criticisms.
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