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The problem I have with modern art is that it baits the viewer into 'experiencing art' with tricks; by exhibiting the work in exclusive places in fancy ways, pu

The problem I have with modern art is that it baits the viewer into 'experiencing art' with tricks; by exhibiting the work in exclusive places in fancy ways, putting a long-winded placard about the artist or the piece, attracting certain kinds of people to the events, and creating value around 'getting it.' This context enhances so well that it can enhance nothing into something. It is interesting that it can do that, but to me it was interesting once, then I understood.

abathur 7y ago
I feel a little misread, but that might be my fault. I'll try to expound... - If you find that engaging with an art-object or art-performance--or even entire categories of them--doesn't help you find an art experience, it's fine to ignore them. - If you find placards d(e|is)tract or annoy you, it's fine to ignore them. If you find the thoughts on a placard more interesting than the nearest art-object, it's fine to focus on it. If you find it more interesting to write your own placards and post them on Twitter, that's also fine. It's also fine (well, with me, but perhaps not security...) to print them out later, return to the gallery, and post them next to the work. It's fine to read the placard and decide to dismiss it because you have more interesting interpretation than the artist. - If you find it more interesting to sit and imagine what other people are thinking as they browse the gallery, that's also fine. If you're more of a people person, it's also fine to ask someone else what sense they make of a work. It's also fine if you don't give a shit what they think. - If you find the gallery's infrastructure or air-quality-monitoring equipment or security system more interesting than the art-objects it contains, it's fine to consider them deeply. It's fine to ignore anyone who notices and thinks you're a rube. It's fine to reflect on how weird people are if someone else walks up beside you and also deeply ponders the same piece of infrastructure. It's fine to come back another time and stick a placard next to it. - If you find it surprising or perhaps even galling that someone created an art-object or art-performance, it is fine to accept that it may help other people find an art experience, or accept that it may not be very good at helping any people find art experiences. It's also fine to reflect on why and how it affects you. It's also fine to wonder if the artist is mocking something or someone. It's also fine to wonder if whoever selected thee work got the joke or not. It's also fine to go home and make your own art mocking something you find galling. - It's fine to avoid conspicuously pretentious events, venues, and people. It's also fine to go, observe, and make art mocking them. It's also fine to go, and see if any of them spend time pondering the doorstop you stuck a placard next to. It's also fine if it helps some of them have an art experience, whether they get the joke or not.

abathur 7y ago

I feel a little misread, but that might be my fault. I'll try to expound... - If you find that engaging with an art-object or art-performance--or even entire categories of them--doesn't help you find an art experience, it's fine to ignore them. - If you find placards d(e|is)tract or annoy you, it's fine to ignore them. If you find the thoughts on a placard more interesting than the nearest art-object, it's fine to focus on it. If you find it more interesting to write your own placards and post them on Twitter, that's also fine. It's also fine (well, with me, but perhaps not security...) to print them out later, return to the gallery, and post them next to the work. It's fine to read the placard and decide to dismiss it because you have more interesting interpretation than the artist. - If you find it more interesting to sit and imagine what other people are thinking as they browse the gallery, that's also fine. If you're more of a people person, it's also fine to ask someone else what sense they make of a work. It's also fine if you don't give a shit what they think. - If you find the gallery's infrastructure or air-quality-monitoring equipment or security system more interesting than the art-objects it contains, it's fine to consider them deeply. It's fine to ignore anyone who notices and thinks you're a rube. It's fine to reflect on how weird people are if someone else walks up beside you and also deeply ponders the same piece of infrastructure. It's fine to come back another time and stick a placard next to it. - If you find it surprising or perhaps even galling that someone created an art-object or art-performance, it is fine to accept that it may help other people find an art experience, or accept that it may not be very good at helping any people find art experiences. It's also fine to reflect on why and how it affects you. It's also fine to wonder if the artist is mocking something or someone. It's also fine to wonder if whoever selected thee work got the joke or not. It's also fine to go home and make your own art mocking something you find galling. - It's fine to avoid conspicuously pretentious events, venues, and people. It's also fine to go, observe, and make art mocking them. It's also fine to go, and see if any of them spend time pondering the doorstop you stuck a placard next to. It's also fine if it helps some of them have an art experience, whether they get the joke or not.