The artificial nature of public galleries...

[Araich]

Lately I've noticed the stark difference between the art that lives in peoples lives, and the art of public galleries.

Whilst it is fun and interesting to bring your intellect to a gallery, decifer the pun, joke or political comment in an artwork - what is left after that initial self satisfying moment? Art is now all about theatre. Galleries like the Museum of Contemporary Art, are pretty much Disney rides.

Mass appeal in the hope that some culture rubs off.

Art has become some kind of light entertainment, an 'experience' you have whilst on holiday, and easy to describe to your family.

Is this because of their charter? They need 'bums on seats' to keep funding? Because it fits nicely with the media's superficial take on what it is to be an artist? Because it is easier to watch a video loop, marvel at the obsessive recreation of the world in paper/material/fruit or the giant something, than put the effort into seeing a complex, formally resolved artwork?


Work that engages subtle yet complex visual relationships and done with feeling, is left out in the real world of commercial galleries, or failure. And that is a cruel fate for some.

I ask, does it matter what the general public think? Should we be letting them choose the direction of funded art?

[JHoughton]

Quote: <I ask, does it matter what the general public think? Should we be letting them choose the direction of funded art?>

I hope you are only jesting! If we begin to allow the public to choose what art is or what it isn't (the root of your question), then how can the art community thrive?
We as artists carry the selfish burden of informing the public about themselves and the world around them through our work, NOT the other way around. What would happen if the students of the world were allowed to make up the teachers lesson plan? Would the students ever reach the third grade???

[Araich]

Of course the public shouldn't choose the content of public art galleries - even indirectly by attendences.

The notion that art is for everybody, is nonsense.

Art is only for those willing to open their eyes, and in many cases, for those who put some time and effort into what they are seeing.

Perhaps my question should be, where is the public funding for the often difficult art of the serious end. Has it all been spent on giant floral puppies?

[fritchie]

Araich - This is one of the fundamental problems with democracy - the public's xxx (choose your favorite term - taste, intelligence level, attention span, ...) is at the median of the bell curve, where the authentic artist falls near the top. That’s why we are artists.

In autocratic societies, one or a few very wealthy individuals were available to commission art. Some individuals still have those resources and do help generate the best art, but the public at large probably can’t choose really good art, even through the “art commissions”. They generally follow the herd of common taste, or the call of the commercial market.

[anne (bxl)]

people often love pieces of art that reminds them their own world in one way or another. and the "net" generation is a generation of entertainment, a generation who often forget the importance of the knowledge and the sensibility to sublimate the sensation, the "experience" in any field (sport, sexe, meditation, art,....)

the point is : do public galleries have to be witness of this popular and democratic movement or do they have to act in front of it, and impart criterias of educated people in their choices?

I don't have the answer, all I know is that my work is not for public galleries, but I have the chance to sell mostly to quality people that gives me the opportunity to exchange ideas. and this is my true pleasure.

[Araich]

Originally posted by anne (bxl)
I don't have the answer, all I know is that my work is not for public galleries, but I have the chance to sell mostly to quality people that gives me the opportunity to exchange ideas. and this is my true pleasure. We have this in common. :)

I would add that art contains more than just what is popular, pretty or political in nature. And that consideration to the artists journey and insight should rate at least as high as the 'pretence' of the new.

But yes, perhaps it really doesn't matter anyway. The glare of public fancy could be the worst gift of all.