The Difference between ART & TAT (Part 2)

Back in April, I did a ranty (potentially controversial) post about my opinion of the modern art scene. I spoke about reading too deep into simple pieces of art, that opinion aside, detracts from the actual piece.  If you missed it, you can find it here. I found that post and this post two of my absolute favourites simply because I felt that I wrote with such passion that doesn't always come through in an ordinary post. I've been doing more thinking, and have decided that a Part 2 is necessary to accentuate the original post.

On Saturday I went to a fine art exhibition, as well as a graphics exhibition, fashion exhibition, and 3D sculpture exhibition. It was by no means a huge deal, as it was my locals art's college class of 2014 works exhibition basically. While there, as much as I enjoyed it, I felt rather displeased with the grades some got in comparison to others. For example, there was one lad there who did these absolutely fabulous, realistic portraits. I was extremely impressed. Also there, was a girl that (although is no doubt very talented I assume) final piece was a sheet of vinyl plastic with a red circle in the centre in the shape of a dress. I am by no means belittling her or her work. I found out afterwards that this 'Vinyl Girl' got a distinction, while the portrait painter got a pass. I'm not one hundred percent on the criteria that needed to be covered to achieve this 'distinction', but for a grade that is completely based on this final piece, I was rather shocked to fin that this wonderful portrait painter had not done better.

'Eye of the Storm' and 'An Oak Tree' by Michael Craig Martin

This all rolls back to my original argument, that to me, the best things in art should either have or involve  A) obvious, physical talent visible to the eye B) a deep meaning showing a political statement, or at least critical thinking.

Now I  utterly understand that art and fashion are two industries that are completely run by opinion. There's no scientific facts or no 'right and wrong', but I find it ever so hard for those with a genuine talent in drawing, painting, sculpting, whatever - to be less appreciated then someone with a somewhat crazy idea that someone thought actually works.

Michael Craig-Martin is an extremely talented, forward thinking artist; a man whom I have much respect for. He's absolutely great at graphics, and has produced some really great works of art. I'm not sure if it's just me, but I find it terribly sad that the one piece of art he is famous for, he intended to be a joke, but the art world went crackers for. 'An Oak Tree' is a work of art that included a shelf and a glass of water. I'm not terribly bothered what this is suppose to be, but what bothers me is the fact that this is regarded oh so highly to art critics and lovers alike, but his other visual 2D art, (and so many others) is simply not recognised. Call me old fashioned, but I think it's all rather bonkers.






Because of the whole 'the art world is an opinion based industry' statement, I firmly believe because of that, too few actually express their feelings about a piece of art, but instead label it all these (in my opinion, hilarious) long, hard-to-pronounce words to make them sound clever and educated; to go along with the crowd perhaps. Honestly, I'm only too sick and tired of it.

I'm not saying stop respecting these artists or you don't know what you're talking about, but instead, lets also appreciate the talented people doing the paintings, the sculptors, the cuttings, who need to be recognised too. What do you think?

Stealing Banksy

The major thing at the moment to have happened in the art world is of course the rather controversial exhibition and auction of some very famous artworks  by the unknown graffiti artist, Banksy. Obviously not all people agree with the graffiti aspect, and other don't agree with what he represents, thus making him just as controversial as I said. 

There is very little known about him. His name is unknown, his age is unknown, and his birth place is unknown, though most think he is from English city Bristol, as that is where some of his first artworks have been painted. There has been many speculations and rumours about the real identity of Banksy, but to be honest, will be ever know for sure? With this worldwide fame, he's not going to come forward now, as he'll be going straight into handcuffs and escorted off to prison, all because his art is indeed illegal.

It's a subject I don't really feel like ranting about. He's a very talented chap with a lot of political views, but at the end of the day, it is vandalism, and that does bother me. 

This exhibition is called Stealing Banksy and is held at the London hotel. The bits of artwork include No Ball Games, and Girl with the red balloon. All of them and been estimated to fetch £3million in total. The thing that makes this story so interesting is Banksy's opinion on the whole thing. He has released a statement over his website which does say “The Stealing Banksy exhibition in London this weekend has been organised without the involvement or consent of the artist." Not only that, but the next line is the one that has really got people in or out of the art industry fired up. It continues “Banksy would like to make it clear – This show has got nothing to do with me and I think it’s disgusting people are allowed to go around displaying art on walls without permission.” Now I don't know whether he intended it to be a very ironic joke, or if he genuinely is unhappy about the whole thing. Another thing some have added, is that they lose all value when being removed from the original spot. True or not, it will certainly be made clear at the auction tomorrow. 

Found at Banksy.co.uk

Although this is a time where many of his pieces of art have come together in one place, many fans and art lovers are upset about the whole thing. The group organising the exhibition have said "“The Sincura Group are approached by building owners to remove the artwork illegally painted on their sites. The building owners have not asked for the art to be placed on their premises or for the on-going attention received from it." 

I totally agree. Although famous, iconic and sometime point-proving, the whole thing seems rather ridiculous, and I really don't blame the property owners for wanting to get rid of these peices of art, as they haven't and will not make any money for them, as all proceeds are going to charity. 

The auction is held tomorrow (Sunday 27 April) and as I have said, are thought to go for a lot of money. Whether you think it is wrong or not, Banksy is a very popular artist and there will forever be a following of graffiti fans all because of him.