…Can be a taxing exercise.
I went to the Double Take: Anne Lander Award for video and new media exhibition yesterday at the Art Gallery NSW. What it cemented in my mind is that it is GREAT to see an engaging and entertaining work in a gallery. It is so refreshing to be able to laugh whole heartedly with a work. I think all too often art is pitched as an academic/elitist activity where if you don’t get it then you may be left wondering forever.
The thing about this exhibition is that the works play with different levels. So the viewer is introduced to some works that are engaging (and where they can definitely take something away that is not confusion) and others that might require a little more time. But you can really figure it out just by thinking about the works that you do understand and feel welcomed into those that could initially be daunting.
I suppose my point is that yes there is a place for super conceptual art but you need to also have art which people can instantly engage with. THEN you can take them up into the hot air balloon where they can develop critical thoughts that are waiting in the clouds.
I am sure that there are plenty of movements and philosophies about this articulated in a clearer and more succinct manner and when I have the time to find them, will be sure to introduce you.
Till then, the exhibition is on till 19 July and I would say see it and please laugh out loud.
I agree, art which makes you think is great, but sometimes people just want to be entertained and engaged without having to decipher any lofty, difficult meanings or concepts. I’m totally going to check it out.
“Art for art’s sake” was a bohemian creed in the nineteenth century, a slogan raised in defiance of those who — from John Ruskin to the much later Communist advocates of socialist realism — thought that the value of art was to serve some moral or didactic purpose. “Art for art’s sake” affirmed that art was valuable as art, that artistic pursuits were their own justification and that art did not need moral justification — and indeed, was allowed to be morally subversive.”
…wiki…
I think the main reason that lots of artists end up producing highly conceptual art that makes no sense is mostly due to self indulgence. The idea blows their mind…they don’t REALLY care if nobody else agrees.
RT @modularpeople: Circa 1979: Signal to Noise just got Facebooked - http://bit.ly/L42VT - check it! 2009-11-04
RT @modularpeople: Modular presents Circa 1979: Signal to Noise as part of the @Sydney_Festival: http://is.gd/4NvnF 2009-11-04
Can you hear the whispers? http://bit.ly/11ZlNe 2009-10-21
The groop whisper http://bit.ly/45IgRg 2009-10-20
a short film http://bit.ly/39px6Q 2009-10-18
Australian Edge interview with great photographer Carine Thevenau http://bit.ly/DBAd8 2009-10-05
The Groop's own @littlegonzales in the Mona Vale Attic http://bit.ly/9Q3xH 2009-09-30
A sneak peek at what we are up to http://bit.ly/1MKlTS 2009-09-25
What were you doing on Saturday night? http://bit.ly/l566r 2009-09-23
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There’s a really good book called ‘What Good are the Arts?’ by John Carey that explores the cultural elitism and prejudices of the art world. If you haven’t already read it I think you’d really enjoy it.