WTF — Negativity and the Art World by William Dolan
WTF is a periodic rant about an ill of the art world, one of humankind’s most screwed-up endeavors.
It seems that everywhere I turn the art world is discussed in negative terms.
- The gallery system is outdated.
- The art scene in (insert your city here) is too small.
- Artists don’t follow the proper procedures to obtain representation.
- Art fairs are too commercial.
- The art world is vapid.
- Painting is making a comeback as it’s a safer bet in a weakened economy.
- Older artists can’t get a break.
- Younger Artists can’t get a break.
- There aren’t enough women being shown.
- There aren’t enough minorities being shown.
- and so on and so on…
Is there anything good about the current art world?
Category: WTF 6 comments »
June 30th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Without judging the work, artist blogs have been a good thing. It gives artists a chance to communicate with other artists and potential buyers.
Artists may sometimes feel secluded or isolated but artist blogs have definitely made belonging to a community much more accessible.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:49 pm
The good is that on occassion I can get blown out of the water by artwork on some wall that is too small, in a gallery outdated, in a city far from the coasts. The promise of this keeps me returning…and it doesn’t hurt that painting and drawing are making a comeback.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Well Said Ted !! Agreed there is a lot of negativity but most of it come from the Commerce or the Business aspect of the Art World. Aesthetics – though subjected to personal taste is always a source of positivity.
July 15th, 2009 at 12:35 am
In my opinion, which is not humble, 95% of everything good in the artworld is in the hands of or coming from artists themselves. 3% from curators, 1% Gallerists, 1% miscellaneous including collectors.
January 14th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
The best thing at the moment is the economic situation, which is unfortunate at the same time. But using art as a regular commodity to the extent we’ve seen in the past 10 years can only go so far, and it’s very likely these times will take away the confusion about what successful art is.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:05 pm
one good thing, everything changes eventually