Reason #43

02.08.2003

I didn't realize there's an "art" show opening at The Space today. I used quotation marks because I'm not sure the "pieces" qualify as art that deserves an opening reception. It's all really amateurish and could've been done by mildly talented middle-schoolers.

All of the works are "deep" in the sense that they're meant to represent some sort of hippie utopia where sky gods and doves and our in-touch-with-the-earth ancestors all interact in some star-filled galaxy of peace, love, and harmony.

Of course, the back-patting hippies love it. It's consistent w/ their ethos of intentions over execution. Example: "This painting symbolizes the bond that all spiritual creatures share w/ one another." Of course, the fact that Sky God Isanagi gives birth to the Japanese Sun Goddess looks like half the paintings I saw at middle-school art shows at the mall in Saginaw (complete w/ Voltron-inspired star shimmers) is irrelevant. Only the intention counts.

Well, I intend to write a beautiful novel about the experiences of a lonely vegetarian Kenyan shepherd in search of true nobility and world peace through enlightened understanding. Applause, applause. I'm so deep. Where's my book signing w/ box wine and Meijer cubed cheeses?

Posted by Miguel at 06:19 PM

Comments

bitter. Miguel, I think you should move to a more interesting town. You seem bored.

I agree, crap art is too often heralded as quality. The point is to not let it discourage you from seeking good art. The student gallery at the art institute is such a crapshoot- they might be exhibiting 20 people at a time and aside from them all one-upping their shock value, their might be one piece of worthwhile work there. But it's those jewels in the rough that make it worthwhile, you know?

Do you know Cedar Nordbie? (I may have spelled his last name wrong). He taught briefly at Western and at K, and teaches at other universities in the south-west michigan area. He writes really good critiques on exhibitions, sometime for the Kalamazoo Gazette. Actually, he started a bit of a war with Holly Fisher, who started up her SmartshoP, a gallery/workspace/class space near the Space. (lots of space). It was a very good review- he is not bent by alligences w/ people, he just writes what he objectivly sees. I would love to introduce you to him but I haven't seen him in years and I doubt he'd remember me.

Posted by: vanessa at February 9, 2003 11:20 AM