26 Feb Post-ArtStar
Artforum is my Playboy, except I read it for the ads. But this last week I got around to reading Peter Plagens’ article on the "postartist" and the state of criticism in this month’s Artforum and it really got me thinking. I was planning a long post but since I’m not the best at this, I’ll try and keep it short.
Plagens quotes Donald Kuspit’s The End of Art where he said "Postmodern artists are caricatures of artists, disillusioned about art they still have illusions about themselves-about what art can do for them (not what they can do for art), namely, make them rich and famous, or at least newsworthy if not exactly noteworthy."
Plagens goes on to say that "Contemporary art has abandoned its function as the visual wing of the house of poetry and morphed into a fecklessly "transgressive" subdivision of the entertainment industry." (don’t think that I didn’t notice this article strategically placed next to the full page ad for Deitch Projects open call to participate in the new Reality TV show ArtStar).
This all leads me to ask…and I would like other opinions:
Is art criticism in a state of crisis?? (yes)
Have aesthetics in art really taken a back seat to "glitz, buzz and spin?"
As someone who does an art blog, do I fall into the category of someone sucking on the teat of the art world hoping to become "newsworthy?"
Does anybody else think Deitch is taking a credibility gamble here?? These shows if successful last 2-3 years tops and then what?? Will he ever be taken seriously again?
Does anybody else want to read Kuspit’s The End of Art now?
I could go on, read the article. Thanks for listening.
carol es
Posted at 17:18h, 26 FebruaryIs art criticism in a state of crisis??
no. art crit IS what contemporary art (that’s shown and known) is today. most art i see panders to art critics and references art history more than it needs to. it’s become kinda predictable and boring because of it. but thus is the mainstream in every artistic field.
Have aesthetics in art really taken a back seat to “glitz, buzz and spin?”
they always have. always will.
As someone who does an art blog, do I fall into the category of someone sucking on the teat of the art world hoping to become “newsworthy.”
yes. we all want to be on the map, but luckily you are grounded enough not to act out of desperation or compromise your values. and me, i won’t try out for artstar. all the power to the artists that do that show. good luck to them. really. but i won’t feel sorry for any of them when they have a dramatic mental breakdown on camera.
Does anybody else think Deitch is taking a credibility gamble here?? These shows if successful last 2-3 years tops and then what?? Will he ever be taken seriously again?
were they previously? what do they have to lose?
Does anybody else want to read Kuspit’s The End of Art now?
not really.
…not trying to be negative, but actually positive. great art is still out there. maybe it’s just not shown as widely.
sherie'
Posted at 20:23h, 26 February– Ditto
– Yes, like everything else
– Yes, you do, but you’re only human!
– Who cares anyway
– Well, I would read it and I would guess great art is out there in the last place anyone would think to look…
rosemary feit covey
Posted at 17:09h, 28 MarchI am not sure who I am writing to. I currently have an exhibition at Grand Central that you reviewed on your site. Thank you for the plug. I have been unable so far to obtain documentary evidence of the exhibition. There has been some trouble photographing the light boxes. You seem to have done a fine job. Is it possible to buy some of these images from you. Could you contact me. I would appreciate it. Thanks. Rosemary