a thoughtful web.
Good ideas and conversation. No ads, no tracking.   Login or Take a Tour!
comment
kleinbl00  ·  3141 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Did you ever say "I could do that" when looking at some modern art?

Yeah, I actually don't agree at all. Torres's shit was deliberately skill-free. Mondrian's skill was entirely separate from what the video highlights - "look! He painted straight lines!" The video is pretty much a pat, self-assured straw-man argument wrapped up in cheerful "look, youtubers!" livery.

The debate, if the other side is allowed to speak, goes like this:

"I could have made that."

"But you didn't!"

"But I COULD have."

"Are you sure? Straight lines are hard! Let's go shopping!"

"Almost positive he used masks like everybody else. Wonder if there's any evidence of that on the Internet."

"Artists use a different kind of skill! It's still skill!"

"Show me the skill in putting two clocks on a wall."

"Okay, why don't you put two clocks on a wall! Maybe you'll learn something about art!"

"Yeah, I'll learn that a pair of walmart clocks won't get me into the MoMa."

"You see? It's about context! Art is context!"

"Torres did context like a madlib. Every work he did is about dying or aids. They're all called "untitled" (non sequitor)". I could point to two throw pillows on my couch and say it's about dying of AIDS and people would think I was crazy. Torres would do the same thing and the Saatchi brothers would buy it for $400k. The context is 'fuck you, I'm rich.'"

"There, see? You learned something about art!"

continues hating modern art because the apologizer doesn't understand it either