Modern Art - Who's Laughing at Who?

[Adey]

On Sunday evening, I caught the tail end of the British Arts TV programme. The South Bank Show. It was a profile of the Scottish artist, Jack Vettriano, described as " The People's Painter. " The profile showed much of his work, stylised filmic noir, 1940s, US style images of people, in the fine art style. I don't know a great deal about art, but I certainly enjoyed seeing this guy's work.

Apparently, this extremely talented man is virtually ignored by the so called ' Contemporary British Art ' community, who prefer to focus on, and promote the bizarre outpourings of alleged British Modern artists. I have been thinking about the programme ever since.

In 1960, Tony Hancock made the marvellous satyrical film, The Rebel, in which the more extreme elements of modern art and the pretentious/preposterous community that promote it, were thoroughly debunked. I have tried to discover the details without success, but the fim was certainly made long after the famous prank by the artist, Duchamp, who displayed a lavatory urinal and was amazed that the work was accepted by the artworld as a legitimate piece. I believe it was called " Urinoir. "

In recent years, Contemporary British Art, has been dominated by what I can only personally describe as similar joke pieces. In researching this little thread I found reference to these ' works ' , some of which I was already familiar with:-

Chris Ofili's elephant dung piece (work it out)
Martin Creed's Empty Room (a light going on and off)
Damien Hurst's cross sectional slices of severed, pickled animals,
and perhaps most famously - Tracy Emin's Unmade Bed (her own bed and it's unsavoury surroundings mounted on a display).
There are many more...

At least 2 of these ' works ' , have received the premiere British Art " Turner Prize "
and have sold for colossal sums of money. Many have been acquired by the respected advertising house of Saatchi, who display them with all due reverence.

NOW. From the tone of my words, you can certainly guess what my feelings are. But am I wrong? Are these so called experts right whilst I am so wrong? Does this sort of stuff constitute legitimate art?

Although this is fast becoming an old debate, I would still be interested to know what you folks think, if indeed you have an opinion...

[Al Truest]

I believe that trend has too big a role in the arts. It has always been that way. But patrons of the arts often feel compelled to laud the esoteric qualities or the 'irony' of certain mundane or simple truths. It's silly and not always art.

If something speaks to you, moves you and ultimately redirects your energy - then that is art. If an elephant turd does that for you, more power to ya brother.

[Adey]

Thanks AT, succinct and to the point. This is what I tried to be, but was unable to.

I hadn't considered trends in art, but of course you are right. Inevitably, I have struggled with my own personal definition of Art. I liked yours.

I guess I'm something of a snob on this subject. I've always believed that to call yourself an artist, you have had to pay your dues along the way. That it is important that you have worked to develop the basic skills of your art. In this case, that you have basic drawing and conceptual abilities. Old fashioned, I know; probably even naive. The belief that you are an artist because you think you are, annoys me. When Tracy Emin was challenged with the question, " Why is the Unmade Bed Art ", she responded " because I said it is ". She is now celebrated and rich, while people with huge talents and who have spent their lives refining their skills, toil in obscurity..

I repeat my rhetorical question. Who's Laughing at Who?

[strabley]

I have often been infuriated by "art". Yet I am willing to accept the slightest thing as art on occasion. The woman who did the unmade bed piece, however, I'd really like to run over it with my car and string her from the ceiling of it. Then display her hanging there. That is art. Why? Because I said so. ;D The hugest painting in the Art Institiute of Chicago the first time I went there was all black except for a slight part of one corner painted orange. What a waste of good paint. And THAT guy gets in one of the most respected galleries in the world? And takes up a whole wall? I realize to some this is art. I wouldn't diss out minimalist pop artists like Warhol or Ono. Okay, maybe I might pick on Yoko but who here can blame me really? (actually some of her stuff is just quirky enough that it works)

But the real tragedy is that "art" of this nature is dampening the whole spirit of creativity. To summate, the more "art" there is of this type, the lazier as a creative community we become. Why should I spend real time on a painting when I can splash a random streak of paint on an old toilet seat and call it art. Hell, I don't even have to paint it do I? It makes it frustrating to even try sometimes. We as a group of art appreciators are having our time and space wasted where real talent is seemingly not welcome.

But then again the whole nature of art is falsification, isn't it? The word "art" comes from "artificial". Sigh. I've made myself dizzy now.

[Xanadu]

Sheila said:

I have often been infuriated by "art". Yet I am willing to accept the slightest thing as art on occasion. The woman who did the unmade bed piece, however, I'd really like to run over it with my car and string her from the ceiling of it. Then display her hanging there. That is art. Why? Because I said so.

Hey Sheila, there's a great Tales From The Crypt you'd like (one of my faves) that touches on this, called Easel Kill Ya with Tim Roth. Check it out!

I have seen that painting, and many others like it at the Institute (I've spent much time there ). I completely agree and I have spent much of money and time coming to the conclusion that:

It doesn't matter what you do or who you are... it's who you know.

I can get invited to black tie gallery openings because of who my clients are... but I still know, on the the other hand, those who can't get in the door. I've watched untalented photographers obtain gallery openings with photos $2000+, while real talent and skill languishes at the local fair for $25.

It's all a business just like everything else...

The real art comes from the trying. There is a spiritual/emotional connection, like Al believes, but it takes more than a checkbook or bank account to see it. It's all quite grey and we could discuss this forever.

Where do you think art leaves off and bullshi*t begins in all forms of creativity? Sheila mentions Yoko and Warhol and a black painting, but that's arguable. What "creations" have you come across, like Adey, that you think are beyond being interpretted as "art?"

[Al Truest]

Sheila said:

I have often been infuriated by "art". Yet I am willing to accept the slightest thing as art on occasion......

But then again the whole nature of art is falsification, isn't it? The word "art" comes from "artificial". Sigh. I've made myself dizzy now.

There are so many good comments tonight. Where to begin...I'll touch on a few and then go back and elaborate.

Sheila the nature of art and how it is fed to us may be, as you say, due to laziness or greed. But I think high or true art can exist on several different levels, without being false. Art should succintly capture truth. Maybe, however, sometimes that truth is that "I am so shallow and insecure that I will pay $10K for crap I that I don't understand, but am afraid to admit it" What glorious irony. (Does that kind of address your point of "Who's laughing at Whom", Adey?)

[Al Truest]

Xanadu said:

Where do you think art leaves off and bullshi*t begins in all forms of creativity? Sheila mentions Yoko and Wharhol and a black painting, but that's arguable. What "creations" have you come across, like Adey, that you think are beyond being interpretted as "art?"

Could it be that the reason an artist's work is most often appreciated more after their death, is that the motive for creating it is no longer an economic concern?


Bullsh!t usually stinks. People really know what resonates with them. They are however willing to buy prestige or status from their peers.

I'll touch on this next point in another of Zan's posts from today about talent and genius. True genius knows without learning and creates without practice. Intuitive expression flows like a river from the artist's soul. It quiches our thirst and our philosophical roots take hold in it. We can grow and become strong through this lifeblood of the human spirit.

[~ Rocket's Tail ~]

I know exactly what you mean. I've seen the elephant dung piece, and, really...

As much as I can appreciate, and often enjoy, modern art, some of it is seriously nothing more than useless rubbish created to make the artist a bit of money.

I love Vetriano. In fact, his work features on several coasters on and around my piano (and that's a special place, for me).

I saw on Richard and Judy yesterday the sculpture which is going to be displayed in Trafalgar Square, of a naked, pregnant disabled woman. I thought it was really beautiful, and actually making a worthwhile statement. That is what art should be about. Possibly the best piece of 'modern' art I've heard about.

I also saw a painting of "sound" in York - that moved me too. I love art, but it can seriously get to be sometimes

[Xanadu]

~ said:

I love Vetriano. In fact, his work features on several coasters on and around my piano (and that's a special place, for me).

Really!? Which ones are your faves? I like Dance Me to the End of Love (which is a Leonard Cohen song, too ) and my fave is Cocktails and Broken Hearts. There's another artist you should look into with a similar style which you may like, Ramon Lombarté. You may have seen Duende, which may be the most popular, but I think Sunday, Eleven O'Clock p.m. is better. Very sensual and romantic with a similar flare for color and technique.

Nice to see you back RT.

[Adey]

note from Cleaner -

" Mr Saatchi, I was trying to catch you to find out what you wanted doing with that old bed you keep in your studio. Don't know why - seems out of place there..
I've taken the liberty of changing the sheets and putting on a new duvet. The pillow couldn't be saved. I've tidied up around the bed and put the vac 'round. The KY jelly is in the chest of drawers - you really shouldn't leave that personal stuff laying around where all your visitors can see it.

The builders are coming in this morning to get rid of that pile of old bricks and the Health People have taken away that elephant stuff." Maud.

Oh, if only...

[Adey]

Al said:

Maybe, however, sometimes that truth is that "I am so shallow and insecure that I will pay $10K for crap I that I don't understand, but am afraid to admit it" What glorious irony. (Does that kind of address your point of "Who's laughing at Whom", Adey?)

100% thank you Al.

[Neo Stella]

Who's laughing at who?

We are laughing at ourselves. Sometimes the funniest people are the ones who take themselves so seriously. If they get the chance to lighten up and look back at themselves they can be filled with mirth.

On the other hand, those laughing miss the message the art is conveying therefore passing on an enriching experience. It is ourselves that choose which experience to embrace. We are it all. The light and the dark, the good and the bad, the best and the worst, the happy and the sad and the indifferent.

[~ Rocket's Tail ~]

Xanadu said:

Really!? Which ones are your faves? I like Dance Me to the End of Love (which is a Leonard Cohen song, too ) and my fave is Cocktails and Broken Hearts. There's another artist you should look into with a similar style which you may like, Ramon Lombarté. You may have seen Duende, which may be the most popular, but I think Sunday, Eleven O'Clock p.m. is better. Very sensual and romantic with a similar flare for color and technique.

Nice to see you back RT.

Sounds beautiful: I'll have to check out his work. "Dance Me..." is possibly my favourite Vetriano piece - I have a couple of coasters with it on. There is something so different about his work. It's all so serene and dream-like. And the situations are really surreal: things that you would really never often see, yet you can imagine them; they could easily be real. I find that so amazing.

[Adey]

We had a day out today, and visited my old guitar teacher and his wife. She is an ex concert pianist, currently in much demand as a Church/Cathedral Organist. Geoffrey gave up teaching music, and is now a full time poet. I look forward to seeing them and go 2/3 times a year. As artists, they are both stimulating company.

Over a nice lunch in an old coaching Inn in Herefordshire, I had this same modern art conversation with him. Considering that his own poetry, though brilliant, has launched him into the obscurity he currently enjoys, he was remarkably sanguine. He said to me, " Adrian, don't worry. Everything will come out right. Relax, let history take care of it " . He was right of course. Just to illustrate, when we got back to his cottage, he showed me a very old quote from the Spectator (I think) from the mid 18th century.

It was a review that said the following (or words to the effect):

" Mr Gainsbrough, is an artist of some small abilities. Clearly, he cannot hope to compare with our own excellent Mr Rippingdale... " Point made.

[Adey]

On the National News tonight is news of major fire at an Art storage warehouse in London. Apparently a lot of work has been destroyed, including works by Tracy Emin and Damian Hurst. Charles Saatchi, owner of many of the destroyed pieces is said to be heartbroken. The piece most referred to is Tracy Emin's " Tent ", which seems to be a canvass wall scrawled with the names of everyone she had ever slept with upto that point.

I take no satisfaction in this (well not much).

It is to be hoped that nothing of any significance was lost..