Are art critics doing their job?

[GWayne]

I am curious about reading different viewpoints/thoughts regarding this topic.

GWayne

[ironman]

Hi, I think that the better art critics are doing there jobs, providing insightful commentary on the work that they critique. Robert Hughes, for example isn't afraid to take on the current "darlings" of the art world to express his personal disdain for certain artists and is quite capable of backing it up with the intelligence and formidable knowledge that he has.
There are however, some critics, who seem to be shills of the galleries and are only interested in propping up the latest "rising star".
I can't recall the names of any of those critics right now and that's probably because they're quite forgettable. Esoteric nonsense is often but not always a clue to their genuineness and honesty as critics.
If you read enough art criticism and see the actual shows they are critiquing, you learn after a while who to listen to and who to ignore.
have a nice day,
Jeff

[jOe~]

Ditto on Robert Hughes. He is the only critic I've found that doesn't try to assuage or denigrate, or to lose the reader in academic arguments. He just calls it as he sees it with insightful commentary. He even defines "bullshit" (in American Visions p. 494), Any other "good" critics out there?
Back to the question of "are they doing their job?" Sure, but most are not very good at it. It takes a special talent to be able to write meaningfully about non verbal mediums.

Joe

[ironman]

Hi, Another critic that I enjoy reading is Arthur C. Danto, he seems to do a good insightful job without that esoteric baggage.
In any case, if you don't have a strong background to begin with, you'd be lost trying to make heads or tails out of almost any critical writing.
Have a nice day,
Jeff

[Ries]

Art critics are just like anybody else- some of em can write, some cant, and chances are you will disagree with most of em anyway.
What exactly is "their job"?
Personally, I am happy if my name is spelled right, and if there is a picture, and the review is printed. I dont care much what they say.

One of my favorites to read is Dave Hickey- he has a collection of his art writing called "air guitar".

[GWayne]

Great article about art critics by Jerry Salz. He doesn't pull any punches. If anyone is interested in reading his article just click the link below.

http://www.villagevoice.com/art/0551,saltz,71107,13.html


GWayne

[settecento]

Hi, i am a new commer here in this forum but however to keep on the track regard art citiques, well there was an old master who once told me this frase.... ''Those who can do it,but those who can't write it''
Saluti

[Cantab]

.....Robert Hughes, for example isn't afraid to take on the current "darlings" of the art world to express his personal disdain for certain artists....
Jeff

Yes, Hughes is good, although it does interest me that he established an international art career on the back of his book/TV series 'The Shock of the New' (in which he points out the shock that modern art can be), but ends up, I feel, in his latest work on 'shocking' new art, being a little shocked himself. I do like his understanding of the great western tradition in art. That perspective is something I like to see in art criticism. The larger view can help us to understand difficult, or demusing, work. I'm not convinced, though, that the word 'critic' is helpful. Many of the best so-called critics are in fact art historians, offering understanding, help even, for viewers.

[JamesW]

Glad to see Robert Hughes mentioned - a good Aussie bloke!
James

[RCFA-Raven]

My feelings are somewhat mixed on the subject leaning toward me thinking to myself, “they must be somewhat impressed with their mastering of vocabulary and bull,” weather their opinions are positive or negative. Rarely do I find myself agreeing with the these masters or can I relate to their message.

However, I do like the article Gwayne posted. That critic seems to be more on my personal & emotional level–which is how I view art for the most part.

[GWayne]

RCFA-Raven,

Hi! Glad that you liked the article by Jerry Saltz. I really can relate to his writings. Most art critics today don't write reviews that the average person can understand. Art reviewers are like magicians who use "smoke and mirrors"(cryptic writing) to hid the fact that they are writing about something that doesn't have any substance.

GWayne

www.georgewayne.com

[RCFA-Raven]

RCFA-Raven,

Art reviewers are like magicians who use "smoke and mirrors"(cryptic writing) to hid the fact that they are writing about something that doesn't have any substance.

GWayne

www.georgewayne.com


lol! I like the way you put that GWayne! :D

[GWayne]

RCFA-Raven,

Hi! I call it how I see it. :) If society celebrates everything as art, then it will loose it's meaning and purpose.

GWayne

http://www.georgewayne.com