Comments on: “Has Anyone Answered ‘Kimler’s Complaint’ Yet?” by William Dolan

By: Bill Dolan

Bill Dolan — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:04:16 +0000

I agree that Kimler is one of the better painters today.

A problem with the Chicago art world is that it sees itself as “international,” and for that reason does not take its local talent seriously. The Chicago music scene has the same problem. Smaller cities don’t have this identity crisis, so they champion their own. This is how it should be. It makes for more interesting art as each center can have its own uniqueness. The other leads to knock-offs of some broader global styles.

Interestingly, Jerry Saltz just posted a Facebook status update, stating that New York is very provincial, because it only looks at its own talent.

In his Bad at Sports interview, Mark Staff Brandl said that constantly looking elsewhere makes one provincial. I agree. Chicago is very provincial in this respect.

By: Norbert Marszalek

Norbert Marszalek — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:02:21 +0000

Chris…yes, Kimler’s work is very good. I think he is one of the better painters working today. Too bad people are turned off by his tenacity.

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:36:46 +0000

I’m too removed out here to get really intrigued by Chicago artworld politics. Makes me happy that, even though our art institute dominates the goings on around town, overall art folks in Kansas City are pretty cooperative. So really, I just want to thank you guys for turning me on to Kimler, an artist unknown to me until I read this post. The works on his site are amazing and really truly something I wish more people were getting to see.

By: Bill Dolan

Bill Dolan — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:27:13 +0000

I’m afraid that there are many that don’t see a problem here. It’s all status quo. The academic artists will put in their 5 or 10 years, then go on to something else, while the schools will crank out new artists to fill their spots. No one ever expects to make a career out of it — just get their 15 minutes. Also, there will always be a bar or cafe to hang one’s work and isn’t that really what it’s all about? There are many that are proud to have a Solo Exhibition at Pauline’s. For me though, I’d go there for the waffles and not the art.

By: Norbert Marszalek

Norbert Marszalek — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:04:27 +0000

I remember that article too and feel the same way you did then and now, Bill.

The issue has been talked and discussed amongst Chicago artists and related folks plenty within the last 5 years…and as you mention Bill, still nothing has really changed.

Overall, the Chicago scene caters to shitty conceptual art whether it consists of installations, painting, sculpture, whatever…

Kudos to Wesley Kimler for speaking his mind – -

Oh, one more thing: after re-reading the Kimler article I found myself thinking that though written eleven years ago, that article could have been written yesterday…