A Fine Art Stew by William Dolan
The world is getting so small, it’s going to implode. Communication and economies of globalization are causing a homogenization of cultures. Much attention has been given to the globalization of the art world. Artists are supposed to enlighten the unwashed masses of the problems facing the world, global warming, terrorism, human rights issues, excessive consumption, etc. This has led to a certain sameness in the art world.
A lot of contemporary art addresses philosophical and socialogical constructs in a way that makes the artists seem like experts on these topics. Their art attempts to explain the world to viewers or point out something that no one has thought of yet. It reminds me of the Homer Simpson line, “Rock stars, is there anything they don’t know?” One can say the same thing about artists. While there can be art that address these issues directly or indirectly, it’s all the artists interpretation of something they know third hand; stuff they learned from books or the media. They chew it up and spit it out for us. In many cases, these topics seem better suited for discussions rather than art installations.
But what about our differences? You know, the stuff that makes us unique? This is where a regionalization of the art world can make things interesting. The best art comes from within; the artist’s personal experience, if you will. It’s about telling the artist’s story. There is plenty of art from different cultures that address different and smaller views of the world. There is art that has different aesthetic values than one may be comfortable with. We can learn from it. Within these smaller, more personal stories, the larger issues of humanity may be addressed. It all adds up to one installation piece in itself, a fine art stew.
Category: Articles, Essays 9 comments »
March 23rd, 2009 at 1:16 pm
“Within these smaller, more personal stories, the larger issues of humanity may be addressed.”
I do agree with this. Some artists miss the mark with their grandiose, pie-in-the-sky attempts. Being introspective is the key when producing meaningful work.
March 23rd, 2009 at 1:53 pm
It seems to me that the art that gets the most attention is the stuff that addresses broader political, sociological and philosophical issues as its main purpose. A lot of it comes off as half baked as the artist may be offering an opinion that is based on what he or she has studied or consumed, rather than experienced. This is especially true if the visuals do not express the message well and the work has to be explained with some sort of essay.
It doesn’t seem true; more like a psuedo-intellectual discourse, whereas art that comes from the artist experience is true. The work is how the artist sees and interprets the world around him or her.
While the broader issues are important, I believe discussion is a better vehicle of expression. An installation with deer antlers doesn’t tell me anything about humankind.
March 23rd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
If used in the right context, the deer antlers could be a good metaphor though I also feel that it can be kind of gimmicky too.
What do you mean by “discussion is a better vehicle of expression”…?
March 23rd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
I just think that a discussion of, say, intolerance will do more good than an installation piece that somehow demonstrates the evils of intolerance. That could be a discussion on a talk show, blog, round table, etc.
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:35 pm
That’s what I thought you meant. I agree but there are some good installation pieces out there that are provocative and stimulating. But again, there are a lot of clunkers too…a lot!
April 6th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Strong installation pieces provoke discussion, just as strong paintings, photographs, sculptures, etc., though not always for every person. I wouldn’t say the root of sameness is starting from/concentrating on grandiose ideas/statements verses starting from/concentrating on the artist’s presumably smaller direct personal experiences, as one moves back and forth between the two when arriving at expression. The sameness seems to come from the effort to fit into/illustrate a canon or canon-like notion, trend, approved/blessed dialogue.
April 19th, 2009 at 11:03 am
At its essence would you say it is sincerity vs. irony or detached intellectualism? For me, I prefer what I would call emotional truth in art (any kind of art – theater, visual art etc.) and I do think that truth comes from direct experience.
April 20th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I also prefer truth that comes from direct experience. That experience can be intellectual, though. I do have a problem with non or weak visuals that have to be explained with a lot of pseudo-intellectual babble, so I guess it is sincerity vs. detached intellectualism.
April 21st, 2009 at 3:17 pm
It’s not really an either or. Don’t you think detached intellectualism may be sincere and how some people see the world or at least the way in which they have convinced/ conditioned themselves to see the world? Perhaps putting aside the “ism” suffix, and focusing on a distant, intellectual lens for seeing and reflecting the world.
I don’t mind irony if it’s strong and resonates beyond shallow one-liners or “I’m so clever…” retreads. I think it’s hard to do irony well. It’s the weak or total absence of visuals (in “visual art”), along with jargon, referenced by Bill, that I tires me.