What Great Artist?

by Paddy Johnson on June 16, 2010 · 95 comments WANGA

art fag city
Abdi Farah’s portrait of Ryan Shultz on Work of Art and Chuck Close’s Big Self Portrait, 1962

Please consider the above painting comparison a reminder to folks that willful suspension of disbelief is needed while watching Bravo’s latest search for the “next great artist” tonight at 10. Farah’s portrait was a finalist in last week’s competition. As you can see it really stands up to Chuck Close’s Big Self-Portrait.

{ 95 comments }

Jesse P. Martin June 16, 2010 at 8:53 pm

Abdi’s portrait looks like a young, greasy, ‘roided-up Liza Minnelli.

Jesse P. Martin June 16, 2010 at 8:53 pm

Abdi’s portrait looks like a young, greasy, ‘roided-up Liza Minnelli.

Jesse P. Martin June 16, 2010 at 4:53 pm

Abdi’s portrait looks like a young, greasy, ‘roided-up Liza Minnelli.

pam farrell June 17, 2010 at 12:38 am

Funny, I was thinking that Abdi’s portrait looks like a young, greasy,’roided-up Grace Zabriskie (…love her though).

pam farrell June 16, 2010 at 8:38 pm

Funny, I was thinking that Abdi’s portrait looks like a young, greasy,’roided-up Grace Zabriskie (…love her though).

mc June 17, 2010 at 8:35 am

is this sarcastic?

mc June 17, 2010 at 8:35 am

is this sarcastic?

mc June 17, 2010 at 4:35 am

is this sarcastic?

Molly June 17, 2010 at 12:02 pm

Oh, c’mon, you find similar images all day. Here’s one that applies to Miles’ piece as well http://www.warholstars.org/news/ediesedgwick9.jpg

Are you saying that it’s bad art because it looks like another head with a cigarette?

Molly June 17, 2010 at 12:02 pm

Oh, c’mon, you find similar images all day. Here’s one that applies to Miles’ piece as well http://www.warholstars.org/news/ediesedgwick9.jpg

Are you saying that it’s bad art because it looks like another head with a cigarette?

Molly June 17, 2010 at 8:02 am

Oh, c’mon, you find similar images all day. Here’s one that applies to Miles’ piece as well http://www.warholstars.org/news/ediesedgwick9.jpg

Are you saying that it’s bad art because it looks like another head with a cigarette?

grubbug June 17, 2010 at 12:23 pm

In the kid’s defense, he did only have about 12 hours to paint that whereas Chuck Close took months… Not quite a fair comparison.

grubbug June 17, 2010 at 12:23 pm

In the kid’s defense, he did only have about 12 hours to paint that whereas Chuck Close took months… Not quite a fair comparison.

grubbug June 17, 2010 at 8:23 am

In the kid’s defense, he did only have about 12 hours to paint that whereas Chuck Close took months… Not quite a fair comparison.

Art Fag City June 17, 2010 at 1:46 pm

Oh I fully acknowledge it’s not a fair comparison — that’s part of the point. Determining a great work of art is simply not possible under these time constraints.

Of course, I also meant to show just how bad Abdi’s work is. It’s a problem.

Art Fag City June 17, 2010 at 1:46 pm

Oh I fully acknowledge it’s not a fair comparison — that’s part of the point. Determining a great work of art is simply not possible under these time constraints.

Of course, I also meant to show just how bad Abdi’s work is. It’s a problem.

Art Fag City June 17, 2010 at 1:46 pm

Oh I fully acknowledge it’s not a fair comparison — that’s part of the point. Determining a great work of art is simply not possible under these time constraints.

Of course, I also meant to show just how bad Abdi’s work is. It’s a problem.

Art Fag City June 17, 2010 at 9:46 am

Oh I fully acknowledge it’s not a fair comparison — that’s part of the point. Determining a great work of art is simply not possible under these time constraints.

Of course, I also meant to show just how bad Abdi’s work is. It’s a problem.

Molly June 17, 2010 at 2:37 pm

I really want to understand why you think Abdi’s work is “bad” – can you say more? I don’t particularly like it, but I know enough to know that doesn’t make it bad.

Molly June 17, 2010 at 2:37 pm

I really want to understand why you think Abdi’s work is “bad” – can you say more? I don’t particularly like it, but I know enough to know that doesn’t make it bad.

Molly June 17, 2010 at 2:37 pm

I really want to understand why you think Abdi’s work is “bad” – can you say more? I don’t particularly like it, but I know enough to know that doesn’t make it bad.

Molly June 17, 2010 at 10:37 am

I really want to understand why you think Abdi’s work is “bad” – can you say more? I don’t particularly like it, but I know enough to know that doesn’t make it bad.

James Bills June 17, 2010 at 3:22 pm

I would take it a step farther and say time constraints are not the issue. I saw some great paintings and drawings during classes at college, and we had at most 4 or 6 hours to do so…?

James Bills June 17, 2010 at 3:22 pm

I would take it a step farther and say time constraints are not the issue. I saw some great paintings and drawings during classes at college, and we had at most 4 or 6 hours to do so…?

James Bills June 17, 2010 at 3:22 pm

I would take it a step farther and say time constraints are not the issue. I saw some great paintings and drawings during classes at college, and we had at most 4 or 6 hours to do so…?

James Bills June 17, 2010 at 11:22 am

I would take it a step farther and say time constraints are not the issue. I saw some great paintings and drawings during classes at college, and we had at most 4 or 6 hours to do so…?

dan June 17, 2010 at 3:49 pm

“Great art” like beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

dan June 17, 2010 at 3:49 pm

“Great art” like beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

dan June 17, 2010 at 3:49 pm

“Great art” like beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

dan June 17, 2010 at 11:49 am

“Great art” like beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

mlm June 17, 2010 at 9:14 pm

I can’t watch the show. My digestive process won’t allow it.

mlm June 17, 2010 at 9:14 pm

I can’t watch the show. My digestive process won’t allow it.

mlm June 17, 2010 at 9:14 pm

I can’t watch the show. My digestive process won’t allow it.

mlm June 17, 2010 at 5:14 pm

I can’t watch the show. My digestive process won’t allow it.

Jesse P. Martin June 17, 2010 at 11:09 pm

What I like about Abdi’s above painting is how Shultz/Minelli/Zabriskie is mugging/looking up Up UP to distract him/herself from the “painterly” nightmare occurring below their affectedly-distracted gaze (which also compels the viewer to similarly ignore the bottom-half of the painting for this desperate “focal-point”). Note the hypertrophic neck growing out of the violently protruding clavicles, the sunburned flesh on a meatball-body… this is why Dana Schutz goes whole-hog cartoon-neo-expressionist in her work, because her earnestly representational “academic” paintings would probably look as awful as Abdi’s.

Constructive criticism: I think that Abdi would benefit from less “representation” and more “cartoon-neo-expressionism.”

Abdi [like the rest of the amateur figurative photorealist WANGA painters(a.f.p.W.p.)] are so hung-up on rendering and representation that it drowns whatever actual talent they might have. I mean, one of Shultz’s fave painters is Odd Nerdrum (and Shultz is probably the “best” of the a.f.p.W.p.).

Jesse P. Martin June 17, 2010 at 11:09 pm

What I like about Abdi’s above painting is how Shultz/Minelli/Zabriskie is mugging/looking up Up UP to distract him/herself from the “painterly” nightmare occurring below their affectedly-distracted gaze (which also compels the viewer to similarly ignore the bottom-half of the painting for this desperate “focal-point”). Note the hypertrophic neck growing out of the violently protruding clavicles, the sunburned flesh on a meatball-body… this is why Dana Schutz goes whole-hog cartoon-neo-expressionist in her work, because her earnestly representational “academic” paintings would probably look as awful as Abdi’s.

Constructive criticism: I think that Abdi would benefit from less “representation” and more “cartoon-neo-expressionism.”

Abdi [like the rest of the amateur figurative photorealist WANGA painters(a.f.p.W.p.)] are so hung-up on rendering and representation that it drowns whatever actual talent they might have. I mean, one of Shultz’s fave painters is Odd Nerdrum (and Shultz is probably the “best” of the a.f.p.W.p.).

Jesse P. Martin June 17, 2010 at 11:09 pm

What I like about Abdi’s above painting is how Shultz/Minelli/Zabriskie is mugging/looking up Up UP to distract him/herself from the “painterly” nightmare occurring below their affectedly-distracted gaze (which also compels the viewer to similarly ignore the bottom-half of the painting for this desperate “focal-point”). Note the hypertrophic neck growing out of the violently protruding clavicles, the sunburned flesh on a meatball-body… this is why Dana Schutz goes whole-hog cartoon-neo-expressionist in her work, because her earnestly representational “academic” paintings would probably look as awful as Abdi’s.

Constructive criticism: I think that Abdi would benefit from less “representation” and more “cartoon-neo-expressionism.”

Abdi [like the rest of the amateur figurative photorealist WANGA painters(a.f.p.W.p.)] are so hung-up on rendering and representation that it drowns whatever actual talent they might have. I mean, one of Shultz’s fave painters is Odd Nerdrum (and Shultz is probably the “best” of the a.f.p.W.p.).

Jesse P. Martin June 17, 2010 at 7:09 pm

What I like about Abdi’s above painting is how Shultz/Minelli/Zabriskie is mugging/looking up Up UP to distract him/herself from the “painterly” nightmare occurring below their affectedly-distracted gaze (which also compels the viewer to similarly ignore the bottom-half of the painting for this desperate “focal-point”). Note the hypertrophic neck growing out of the violently protruding clavicles, the sunburned flesh on a meatball-body… this is why Dana Schutz goes whole-hog cartoon-neo-expressionist in her work, because her earnestly representational “academic” paintings would probably look as awful as Abdi’s.

Constructive criticism: I think that Abdi would benefit from less “representation” and more “cartoon-neo-expressionism.”

Abdi [like the rest of the amateur figurative photorealist WANGA painters(a.f.p.W.p.)] are so hung-up on rendering and representation that it drowns whatever actual talent they might have. I mean, one of Shultz’s fave painters is Odd Nerdrum (and Shultz is probably the “best” of the a.f.p.W.p.).

mc June 18, 2010 at 3:26 pm

wow Jesse P. Martin you should have been a producer on this show because your above comments read as the biggest bunch of bs ive ever heard.

That painting is not strong by any means – its average at best. it shows no invention personality or set of ideas. it looks flat and the color including that read sun or whatever is behind him reads as one arbitrary decision after all the others. what the painting presents is the show`s inability to do what it is trying to do – which is the put people in a condition where they are making art and competeing to out do each other. art is not a competition in the sense of its formation. and you cant make art under the conditions of a game. its a game you play. art needs to come from somewhere else.

mc June 18, 2010 at 3:26 pm

wow Jesse P. Martin you should have been a producer on this show because your above comments read as the biggest bunch of bs ive ever heard.

That painting is not strong by any means – its average at best. it shows no invention personality or set of ideas. it looks flat and the color including that read sun or whatever is behind him reads as one arbitrary decision after all the others. what the painting presents is the show`s inability to do what it is trying to do – which is the put people in a condition where they are making art and competeing to out do each other. art is not a competition in the sense of its formation. and you cant make art under the conditions of a game. its a game you play. art needs to come from somewhere else.

mc June 18, 2010 at 3:26 pm

wow Jesse P. Martin you should have been a producer on this show because your above comments read as the biggest bunch of bs ive ever heard.

That painting is not strong by any means – its average at best. it shows no invention personality or set of ideas. it looks flat and the color including that read sun or whatever is behind him reads as one arbitrary decision after all the others. what the painting presents is the show`s inability to do what it is trying to do – which is the put people in a condition where they are making art and competeing to out do each other. art is not a competition in the sense of its formation. and you cant make art under the conditions of a game. its a game you play. art needs to come from somewhere else.

mc June 18, 2010 at 11:26 am

wow Jesse P. Martin you should have been a producer on this show because your above comments read as the biggest bunch of bs ive ever heard.

That painting is not strong by any means – its average at best. it shows no invention personality or set of ideas. it looks flat and the color including that read sun or whatever is behind him reads as one arbitrary decision after all the others. what the painting presents is the show`s inability to do what it is trying to do – which is the put people in a condition where they are making art and competeing to out do each other. art is not a competition in the sense of its formation. and you cant make art under the conditions of a game. its a game you play. art needs to come from somewhere else.

mc June 18, 2010 at 3:34 pm

ps dana shutz`s paintings are as much about the image as they are about the material. the difference is even if her concepts are sometimes cartooned and contrived its clear that its her choice to set the painting up and where it ultimately goes is somewhere else. this is a lot because of the material involved. the way she uses painting to the depict the objects or subject has a clarity of her mind which makes the paintings seem genuine and unique. many people have tried to paint like dana shutz just like many people have tried to make an alex katz painting but its clear that not everyone can paint like alex katz even if they dont like alex katz or think hes bad. the difference even in the chuck close painting above is its maturity in its decision making which is what painting deals with. paintings have ideas because those ideas are denoted by way of the way the painting is made. if the painting is just an image then in my eyes its an illustration and not a painting and not a work of art

mc June 18, 2010 at 3:34 pm

ps dana shutz`s paintings are as much about the image as they are about the material. the difference is even if her concepts are sometimes cartooned and contrived its clear that its her choice to set the painting up and where it ultimately goes is somewhere else. this is a lot because of the material involved. the way she uses painting to the depict the objects or subject has a clarity of her mind which makes the paintings seem genuine and unique. many people have tried to paint like dana shutz just like many people have tried to make an alex katz painting but its clear that not everyone can paint like alex katz even if they dont like alex katz or think hes bad. the difference even in the chuck close painting above is its maturity in its decision making which is what painting deals with. paintings have ideas because those ideas are denoted by way of the way the painting is made. if the painting is just an image then in my eyes its an illustration and not a painting and not a work of art

mc June 18, 2010 at 3:34 pm

ps dana shutz`s paintings are as much about the image as they are about the material. the difference is even if her concepts are sometimes cartooned and contrived its clear that its her choice to set the painting up and where it ultimately goes is somewhere else. this is a lot because of the material involved. the way she uses painting to the depict the objects or subject has a clarity of her mind which makes the paintings seem genuine and unique. many people have tried to paint like dana shutz just like many people have tried to make an alex katz painting but its clear that not everyone can paint like alex katz even if they dont like alex katz or think hes bad. the difference even in the chuck close painting above is its maturity in its decision making which is what painting deals with. paintings have ideas because those ideas are denoted by way of the way the painting is made. if the painting is just an image then in my eyes its an illustration and not a painting and not a work of art

mc June 18, 2010 at 11:34 am

ps dana shutz`s paintings are as much about the image as they are about the material. the difference is even if her concepts are sometimes cartooned and contrived its clear that its her choice to set the painting up and where it ultimately goes is somewhere else. this is a lot because of the material involved. the way she uses painting to the depict the objects or subject has a clarity of her mind which makes the paintings seem genuine and unique. many people have tried to paint like dana shutz just like many people have tried to make an alex katz painting but its clear that not everyone can paint like alex katz even if they dont like alex katz or think hes bad. the difference even in the chuck close painting above is its maturity in its decision making which is what painting deals with. paintings have ideas because those ideas are denoted by way of the way the painting is made. if the painting is just an image then in my eyes its an illustration and not a painting and not a work of art

Jesse P. Martin June 18, 2010 at 4:05 pm

@mc: You seem to be under the impression that I actually liked Abdi’s painting, which tells me – more than anything else – that you’re a shitty reader (or lack the organ that detects blatant sarcasm). But thanks for your astute observations on the medium being the message, and your avant garde refusal to use capital letters (except when citing my name; I appreciate that).

Jesse P. Martin June 18, 2010 at 4:05 pm

@mc: You seem to be under the impression that I actually liked Abdi’s painting, which tells me – more than anything else – that you’re a shitty reader (or lack the organ that detects blatant sarcasm). But thanks for your astute observations on the medium being the message, and your avant garde refusal to use capital letters (except when citing my name; I appreciate that).

Jesse P. Martin June 18, 2010 at 12:05 pm

@mc: You seem to be under the impression that I actually liked Abdi’s painting, which tells me – more than anything else – that you’re a shitty reader (or lack the organ that detects blatant sarcasm). But thanks for your astute observations on the medium being the message, and your avant garde refusal to use capital letters (except when citing my name; I appreciate that).

Jesse P. Martin June 18, 2010 at 5:23 pm

P.S.- I see that you’ve also abstained from using commas and apostrophes, mc. Should I take your disregard for punctuation as significant to the “ideas” you’re trying to express – analogous to your notion that “paintings have ideas because those ideas are denoted by way of the way the painting is made?” Or maybe you’re just texting from your celly and have no time for the manacles of punctuation/grammar (or actually reading the thread).

Jesse P. Martin June 18, 2010 at 5:23 pm

P.S.- I see that you’ve also abstained from using commas and apostrophes, mc. Should I take your disregard for punctuation as significant to the “ideas” you’re trying to express – analogous to your notion that “paintings have ideas because those ideas are denoted by way of the way the painting is made?” Or maybe you’re just texting from your celly and have no time for the manacles of punctuation/grammar (or actually reading the thread).

Jesse P. Martin June 18, 2010 at 1:23 pm

P.S.- I see that you’ve also abstained from using commas and apostrophes, mc. Should I take your disregard for punctuation as significant to the “ideas” you’re trying to express – analogous to your notion that “paintings have ideas because those ideas are denoted by way of the way the painting is made?” Or maybe you’re just texting from your celly and have no time for the manacles of punctuation/grammar (or actually reading the thread).

mlm June 18, 2010 at 7:04 pm

I guess mc hit a nerve.

mlm June 18, 2010 at 7:04 pm

I guess mc hit a nerve.

mlm June 18, 2010 at 7:04 pm

I guess mc hit a nerve.

mlm June 18, 2010 at 3:04 pm

I guess mc hit a nerve.

Jesse P. Martin June 18, 2010 at 7:49 pm

@mlm- To now unnecessarily (but pointedly) overreact to your succinct, smug comment: The nerve that was hit was someone calling my obviously sarcastic remarks “bullshit,” followed by the same person going on a bullshit-laden diatribe about “painting” and “ideas” and “what art is” (which was mercilessly extended into a “p.s.” follow-up post that included this show-stopping nugget: “the way (Schutz) uses painting to the depict the objects or subject has a clarity of her mind which makes the paintings seem genuine and unique”).

It’s also clear that the response seemed to be entirely initiated by their misreading of my opinion of Abdi’s painting. Call me sensitive, but I don’t like it when idiots try to call me out on something *they’ve* been too lazy to understand, especially when they proceed to engage in far bull-shittier bullshit than they were calling me out for in the first place.

Jesse P. Martin June 18, 2010 at 7:49 pm

@mlm- To now unnecessarily (but pointedly) overreact to your succinct, smug comment: The nerve that was hit was someone calling my obviously sarcastic remarks “bullshit,” followed by the same person going on a bullshit-laden diatribe about “painting” and “ideas” and “what art is” (which was mercilessly extended into a “p.s.” follow-up post that included this show-stopping nugget: “the way (Schutz) uses painting to the depict the objects or subject has a clarity of her mind which makes the paintings seem genuine and unique”).

It’s also clear that the response seemed to be entirely initiated by their misreading of my opinion of Abdi’s painting. Call me sensitive, but I don’t like it when idiots try to call me out on something *they’ve* been too lazy to understand, especially when they proceed to engage in far bull-shittier bullshit than they were calling me out for in the first place.

Jesse P. Martin June 18, 2010 at 7:49 pm

@mlm- To now unnecessarily (but pointedly) overreact to your succinct, smug comment: The nerve that was hit was someone calling my obviously sarcastic remarks “bullshit,” followed by the same person going on a bullshit-laden diatribe about “painting” and “ideas” and “what art is” (which was mercilessly extended into a “p.s.” follow-up post that included this show-stopping nugget: “the way (Schutz) uses painting to the depict the objects or subject has a clarity of her mind which makes the paintings seem genuine and unique”).

It’s also clear that the response seemed to be entirely initiated by their misreading of my opinion of Abdi’s painting. Call me sensitive, but I don’t like it when idiots try to call me out on something *they’ve* been too lazy to understand, especially when they proceed to engage in far bull-shittier bullshit than they were calling me out for in the first place.

Jesse P. Martin June 18, 2010 at 3:49 pm

@mlm- To now unnecessarily (but pointedly) overreact to your succinct, smug comment: The nerve that was hit was someone calling my obviously sarcastic remarks “bullshit,” followed by the same person going on a bullshit-laden diatribe about “painting” and “ideas” and “what art is” (which was mercilessly extended into a “p.s.” follow-up post that included this show-stopping nugget: “the way (Schutz) uses painting to the depict the objects or subject has a clarity of her mind which makes the paintings seem genuine and unique”).

It’s also clear that the response seemed to be entirely initiated by their misreading of my opinion of Abdi’s painting. Call me sensitive, but I don’t like it when idiots try to call me out on something *they’ve* been too lazy to understand, especially when they proceed to engage in far bull-shittier bullshit than they were calling me out for in the first place.

lds June 18, 2010 at 8:12 pm

And the judges said that Trongs sculpture was too much of an inside art world reference?????

lds June 18, 2010 at 8:12 pm

And the judges said that Trongs sculpture was too much of an inside art world reference?????

lds June 18, 2010 at 8:12 pm

And the judges said that Trongs sculpture was too much of an inside art world reference?????

lds June 18, 2010 at 4:12 pm

And the judges said that Trongs sculpture was too much of an inside art world reference?????

Ed June 18, 2010 at 8:49 pm

Oh god – all the work on that show made me gag…
also because it reminds me of artschool.

Ed June 18, 2010 at 8:49 pm

Oh god – all the work on that show made me gag…
also because it reminds me of artschool.

Ed June 18, 2010 at 4:49 pm

Oh god – all the work on that show made me gag…
also because it reminds me of artschool.

tom prieto June 19, 2010 at 11:01 pm

Abdi work is alive just as the artist is; to see this, is to the artist, to see otherwise is to see yourself. Your comments are you reflected in the art. You do not see the art, the painting is just a mirror. Art requires the viewer do work, to bring something to the experience. Your comment is just to compare the work to something else. This saves time; time to meet the constraints of writing online.

tom prieto June 19, 2010 at 7:01 pm

Abdi work is alive just as the artist is; to see this, is to the artist, to see otherwise is to see yourself. Your comments are you reflected in the art. You do not see the art, the painting is just a mirror. Art requires the viewer do work, to bring something to the experience. Your comment is just to compare the work to something else. This saves time; time to meet the constraints of writing online.

turnthatfrownupsidedown June 20, 2010 at 12:09 am

sheeesh “Jesse P. Martin,” get some reigns on that sarcasm, you’re embarrassing yourself.

I’m accustomed to your comments, and it has become obvious that you pride yourself in the depth of analysis which you provide your fellow readers. I just wanted to say THANKS and CAN”T WAIT for your continued OVERBLOWN SHIT STORMS which you benevolently conceive with that other noble troll: TOM MOODY. P.S. It’s polite to assume that, while on the internet, every user also has a degree from an ivy league school and might not even speak english as a first language, and therefore might not have “the organ that detects blatant sarcasm,” because they haven’t spent their careers reveling in the irony of sparkly gifs and neon colors.

turnthatfrownupsidedown June 19, 2010 at 8:09 pm

sheeesh “Jesse P. Martin,” get some reigns on that sarcasm, you’re embarrassing yourself.

I’m accustomed to your comments, and it has become obvious that you pride yourself in the depth of analysis which you provide your fellow readers. I just wanted to say THANKS and CAN”T WAIT for your continued OVERBLOWN SHIT STORMS which you benevolently conceive with that other noble troll: TOM MOODY. P.S. It’s polite to assume that, while on the internet, every user also has a degree from an ivy league school and might not even speak english as a first language, and therefore might not have “the organ that detects blatant sarcasm,” because they haven’t spent their careers reveling in the irony of sparkly gifs and neon colors.

Jesse P. Martin June 20, 2010 at 12:11 am

OH SNAPPITY-SNAP! TOM P. TOLD YOU, AFC!

Tom: I saw Liza Minelli when I looked at Abdi’s painting. Since his work is a living, inter-dimensional soul-mirror, does that mean that I am, in fact, Liza Minelli? I’ve had these suspicions for some time, but I just wanted to have this confirmed before I move forward.

If the above is true, then this would also confirm that commenter Pam Farrell is Grace Zabriskie. Please advise.

Jesse P. Martin June 19, 2010 at 8:11 pm

OH SNAPPITY-SNAP! TOM P. TOLD YOU, AFC!

Tom: I saw Liza Minelli when I looked at Abdi’s painting. Since his work is a living, inter-dimensional soul-mirror, does that mean that I am, in fact, Liza Minelli? I’ve had these suspicions for some time, but I just wanted to have this confirmed before I move forward.

If the above is true, then this would also confirm that commenter Pam Farrell is Grace Zabriskie. Please advise.

Jesse P. Martin June 20, 2010 at 5:36 pm

@ttfud: Since WANGA is an “overblown shit-storm,” I don’t feel that my posting similarly over-reactive, shit-stormy comments is at all out of line (not to mention that the post itself was forged in gleaming, albeit succinct, sarcasm).

And I’m fine with embarrassing myself (if I wasn’t, then surely I would post these apparently pretentious, ESL-insensitive retorts anonymously).

And I emphatically disagree that it’s “polite to assume” that readers are uneducated and/or illiterate (which I don’t at all correlate with someone not speaking English). That’s a cynical determination on your part, and one very much in line with what I find to be the most offensive thing about how WANGA is treating its audience.

I’m flattered that you think I have a “career,” and that I’m “reveling in the irony of sparkly GIFs and neon colors.” You elevate me. But I sincerely enjoy sparkles, neon, and colors in all forms.

p.s.- Why did you put my name in quotes, as if to suggest that that’s not really my name? THAT be ironic, given that your “name” is a redonk optimistic word-smoosh that links to a Google search for “overreaction.” Aren’t you worried that such intertextual backflips might be lost on the Ivy-league-less, non-English-speaking masses that you were just moralizing for me to consider? You suck.

Jesse P. Martin June 20, 2010 at 1:36 pm

@ttfud: Since WANGA is an “overblown shit-storm,” I don’t feel that my posting similarly over-reactive, shit-stormy comments is at all out of line (not to mention that the post itself was forged in gleaming, albeit succinct, sarcasm).

And I’m fine with embarrassing myself (if I wasn’t, then surely I would post these apparently pretentious, ESL-insensitive retorts anonymously).

And I emphatically disagree that it’s “polite to assume” that readers are uneducated and/or illiterate (which I don’t at all correlate with someone not speaking English). That’s a cynical determination on your part, and one very much in line with what I find to be the most offensive thing about how WANGA is treating its audience.

I’m flattered that you think I have a “career,” and that I’m “reveling in the irony of sparkly GIFs and neon colors.” You elevate me. But I sincerely enjoy sparkles, neon, and colors in all forms.

p.s.- Why did you put my name in quotes, as if to suggest that that’s not really my name? THAT be ironic, given that your “name” is a redonk optimistic word-smoosh that links to a Google search for “overreaction.” Aren’t you worried that such intertextual backflips might be lost on the Ivy-league-less, non-English-speaking masses that you were just moralizing for me to consider? You suck.

marissa June 20, 2010 at 7:44 pm

I find the show to consist of a pretty easy equation for entertainment. It’s got a group of diverse stereotypical artists who all want to “Make it BIG!!” Very entertaining! I actually genuinely enjoy watching it.

But, I’m rather peeved that the prize is a show at one of our PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS! Why not a show at an esteemed private venue? Does anyone else find this disturbing?

marissa June 20, 2010 at 3:44 pm

I find the show to consist of a pretty easy equation for entertainment. It’s got a group of diverse stereotypical artists who all want to “Make it BIG!!” Very entertaining! I actually genuinely enjoy watching it.

But, I’m rather peeved that the prize is a show at one of our PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS! Why not a show at an esteemed private venue? Does anyone else find this disturbing?

L Mario June 20, 2010 at 10:25 pm

Jesse I think you are an ecellent writer. I may not always agree with your opinions, but I do enjoy reading them.

L Mario June 20, 2010 at 6:25 pm

Jesse I think you are an ecellent writer. I may not always agree with your opinions, but I do enjoy reading them.

Jesse P. Martin June 21, 2010 at 12:07 am

@marissa: It may be “disturbing,” but it’s really nothing new. Hernan Bas was allowed a grossly premature “retrospective” at the BM thanks to him being collected in-depth by the mighty Rubells (http://bit.ly/9KnMpK) – and how can we forget the “food art” their daughter inflicted at this year’s Brooklyn Ball, also at the BM (http://bit.ly/a8yIEC)? And what about the incestuous Koons/Joannou “Skin Fruit” (http://bit.ly/bvZsAg) over at the NuMu?

Museums may be “public institutions,” but they need to kowtow to certain benefactors/power-players and pander to so-called “populism” to strategically stay afloat [though according to the NY Times article cited on AFC’s sidebar (http://bit.ly/bElFck), this strategy hasn’t really helped]. I’m not convinced that these conflict-of-interest-y shows are necessarily bad, but I agree that they don’t gel with the general idealistic notion of what a “public institution” should be.

And I’m o.k. with “Work of Art” being at the Brooklyn Museum as long as they title the exhibition “WANGA in the BM.”

Jesse P. Martin June 20, 2010 at 8:07 pm

@marissa: It may be “disturbing,” but it’s really nothing new. Hernan Bas was allowed a grossly premature “retrospective” at the BM thanks to him being collected in-depth by the mighty Rubells (http://bit.ly/9KnMpK) – and how can we forget the “food art” their daughter inflicted at this year’s Brooklyn Ball, also at the BM (http://bit.ly/a8yIEC)? And what about the incestuous Koons/Joannou “Skin Fruit” (http://bit.ly/bvZsAg) over at the NuMu?

Museums may be “public institutions,” but they need to kowtow to certain benefactors/power-players and pander to so-called “populism” to strategically stay afloat [though according to the NY Times article cited on AFC’s sidebar (http://bit.ly/bElFck), this strategy hasn’t really helped]. I’m not convinced that these conflict-of-interest-y shows are necessarily bad, but I agree that they don’t gel with the general idealistic notion of what a “public institution” should be.

And I’m o.k. with “Work of Art” being at the Brooklyn Museum as long as they title the exhibition “WANGA in the BM.”

L Mario June 21, 2010 at 1:19 am

Marissa,
I recently read an article addressing the issue you are concern with.

http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/art/95571724.html?page=2&c=y

Excerpt from an article in the Star Tribune

“The quality of these artists is very much what you’d see in juried shows around the country,” said Charles Desmarais, deputy director for art at the Brooklyn Museum. His organization got involved as an experiment in reaching new audiences and promoting fresh talent. Museums used to do that with shows that were judged or “juried” by professionals and open to all applicants, but such populist events are rare now, aside from the Whitney Biennial and a few others. The reality show format restores democratic opportunity, Desmarais said.

The museum is not dumbing down for the show, he said. Brooklyn’s curator of contemporary art, Eugenie Tsai, helped pick the winner, and the monthlong exhibition will be held in a small but “very credible” gallery that’s previously housed Renaissance paintings and contemporary videos, among other art.

The bottom line it all about marketing. The museum is trying to brand their institution as the cool, hip, yeah we care about the youth kind of museum. Hence the reason for the Hernan Bas exhibition and Marakami retrospective. Anyway to get people in the door is a plus plus for all artists. When people stop caring about art is when we should really worry.

Lloydism

A prison is a public institution.
A museum is a public institution.

Prisons take away your freedom.
Museums show you the power of freedom.

A museum can become a prison if you let it.

L Mario June 20, 2010 at 9:19 pm

Marissa,
I recently read an article addressing the issue you are concern with.

http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/art/95571724.html?page=2&c=y

Excerpt from an article in the Star Tribune

“The quality of these artists is very much what you’d see in juried shows around the country,” said Charles Desmarais, deputy director for art at the Brooklyn Museum. His organization got involved as an experiment in reaching new audiences and promoting fresh talent. Museums used to do that with shows that were judged or “juried” by professionals and open to all applicants, but such populist events are rare now, aside from the Whitney Biennial and a few others. The reality show format restores democratic opportunity, Desmarais said.

The museum is not dumbing down for the show, he said. Brooklyn’s curator of contemporary art, Eugenie Tsai, helped pick the winner, and the monthlong exhibition will be held in a small but “very credible” gallery that’s previously housed Renaissance paintings and contemporary videos, among other art.

The bottom line it all about marketing. The museum is trying to brand their institution as the cool, hip, yeah we care about the youth kind of museum. Hence the reason for the Hernan Bas exhibition and Marakami retrospective. Anyway to get people in the door is a plus plus for all artists. When people stop caring about art is when we should really worry.

Lloydism

A prison is a public institution.
A museum is a public institution.

Prisons take away your freedom.
Museums show you the power of freedom.

A museum can become a prison if you let it.

L Mario June 21, 2010 at 2:25 am

Jesse I think you are an ecellent writer. I may not always agree with your opinion, but I do enjoy reading them.

L Mario June 20, 2010 at 10:25 pm

Jesse I think you are an ecellent writer. I may not always agree with your opinion, but I do enjoy reading them.

Jesse P. Martin June 21, 2010 at 2:41 pm

Thanks, Lloyd. I don’t always agree with my opinions, either!

Regarding prisons & museums:

http://bit.ly/aq2Ejs
http://bit.ly/95F60A
http://bit.ly/aJWahn

Jesse P. Martin June 21, 2010 at 10:41 am

Thanks, Lloyd. I don’t always agree with my opinions, either!

Regarding prisons & museums:

http://bit.ly/aq2Ejs
http://bit.ly/95F60A
http://bit.ly/aJWahn

mc June 21, 2010 at 2:52 pm

The Brooklyn Museum is a joke – seriously what was the last good genuine show they put up there that wasnt somehow a reactionary marketing plow.
I do think the current late Warhol show is an excellent step for them but if anyone thinks there is any legitimacy to them putting up a show based on the results of a reality show they are only fooling themselves. its an easy gimmick that does nothing to help anyone better appreciate or see art – its fine if they do it. there is no doubt whatever goes in there will interesting conversation material but its still a commercial happening – a la Tim Burton at MOMA this year. please

mc June 21, 2010 at 10:52 am

The Brooklyn Museum is a joke – seriously what was the last good genuine show they put up there that wasnt somehow a reactionary marketing plow.
I do think the current late Warhol show is an excellent step for them but if anyone thinks there is any legitimacy to them putting up a show based on the results of a reality show they are only fooling themselves. its an easy gimmick that does nothing to help anyone better appreciate or see art – its fine if they do it. there is no doubt whatever goes in there will interesting conversation material but its still a commercial happening – a la Tim Burton at MOMA this year. please

marissa June 21, 2010 at 6:57 pm

Thanks for all the feedback!!

Well, after more consideration and reading the Star Tribune article.. I have to say, it does pretty much seem like more of the same.. Exempt, the process being more or less transparent, according to Bravo’s editing. As far as it being a populist act, well it does have somewhat of a broader reach. It does not have a public jury, a jury of artists, a jury of professors.. Jerry Saltz certainly is an impressive judge to have, however is amongst the usual suspects to service the public with opinion.

I have to agree that this is marketing as usual in contemporary form. Cest La Vie!

As far as the Rubell’s… well, of all the collector’s to point out, I think they are awesome. They have a great collection and one of the best curated collections I’ve seen. Also, I’m not so sure that any of the artist’s on the show have as much talent as Hernan Bas. He may have had an easier ride… opinions…

This as all beside the point.

“Work of Art” is a capitalistic tool to make new “Art Stars”. And we will get to see the winner at one our esteemed public institutions in our capitalistic society. I find it entertaining to see people scramble and fret over superficial and monetarily valuable titles.

I am an idealist and a lover of beautiful chaos. If the BM wants to be more hip, they could have some gutter punks squat in a gallery space and have at it for a month. HA! Or host an Iranian Metal fest. Or may be base a month of events and exhibitions on the opinion of a jury of 10 year olds. Alas, I am not involved in their decisions.. oh well, may be I should start crying now 😉

BTW IDK “WANGA” ?

marissa June 21, 2010 at 2:57 pm

Thanks for all the feedback!!

Well, after more consideration and reading the Star Tribune article.. I have to say, it does pretty much seem like more of the same.. Exempt, the process being more or less transparent, according to Bravo’s editing. As far as it being a populist act, well it does have somewhat of a broader reach. It does not have a public jury, a jury of artists, a jury of professors.. Jerry Saltz certainly is an impressive judge to have, however is amongst the usual suspects to service the public with opinion.

I have to agree that this is marketing as usual in contemporary form. Cest La Vie!

As far as the Rubell’s… well, of all the collector’s to point out, I think they are awesome. They have a great collection and one of the best curated collections I’ve seen. Also, I’m not so sure that any of the artist’s on the show have as much talent as Hernan Bas. He may have had an easier ride… opinions…

This as all beside the point.

“Work of Art” is a capitalistic tool to make new “Art Stars”. And we will get to see the winner at one our esteemed public institutions in our capitalistic society. I find it entertaining to see people scramble and fret over superficial and monetarily valuable titles.

I am an idealist and a lover of beautiful chaos. If the BM wants to be more hip, they could have some gutter punks squat in a gallery space and have at it for a month. HA! Or host an Iranian Metal fest. Or may be base a month of events and exhibitions on the opinion of a jury of 10 year olds. Alas, I am not involved in their decisions.. oh well, may be I should start crying now 😉

BTW IDK “WANGA” ?

marissa June 21, 2010 at 7:02 pm

P.S. The Museum/ Prison metaphor is superb!!!

marissa June 21, 2010 at 3:02 pm

P.S. The Museum/ Prison metaphor is superb!!!

Jesse P. Martin June 21, 2010 at 8:30 pm

(W)ork
of
(A)rt:
the
(N)ext
(G)reat
(A)rtist

WANGA (http://bit.ly/cFVQZP).

Jesse P. Martin June 21, 2010 at 4:30 pm

(W)ork
of
(A)rt:
the
(N)ext
(G)reat
(A)rtist

WANGA (http://bit.ly/cFVQZP).

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