Untitled 54 Art Blog

I just got a notice for a local art show called INTELLECTUAL ABSTRACTION. My first thought was oh dear here we go again another show that has to convince the audience of how smart and innovative it is out of the gate. My second thought after reading the press release on the show was that I really wanted to hurl!!!!! They say this is a show with a "cerebral bent". The premise of the show seems to be processing the paintings through the brain not only through the eye. Ok not bad... but still stinks like a bunch of crap. Sounds neither "INTELLECTUAL" or "cerebral" to me. I never use my brain when looking at abstract paintings always only my eyes, huh! Ok, I do get it. But WHY? Seems to me abstraction should be a pure emotional experience. My brain is still ticking when emotions are processing a work visually. Or do you have to tell me to use my brain along with my eye. Oh that must be it. I must be told how to think, feel, or perceive art.

I know artists that paint/create what they feel then when it comes to writing about the art they create some sudo intellectual premise to which the art was created. It then pacifies these groups who must have those references in order to take the work seriously. Yes I do love to read about art and realize that it would be ridicules if every show were based on pure emotion. However I find more and more that the writing is just going around in circles trying to create an important critical reference to something that does not really need to be explained. In a word it fails to live up to the description or idea the artist is trying to convey. All in the name of conceptual art.

It seems many critics, educators and art institutions must have some concept,critical, academic or historical reference to the art in order for it to be worthy of recognition or praise. Why is it not cerebral or intellectual to simply enjoy art visually or emotionally any more. I feel their is a real back lash among these groups towards art if it doesn't fit into their learned preconceived notions of what art is.

I love a well thought out conceptual exhibition and need to be surrounded and stimulated by them as well. But I also feel that their is a place for all ideas of art and that art for the people or just for pure visual enjoyment is given a bad rap by the current establishment.

This just makes me more convinced that our next show is on the right track for my head (at the moment). Paintings that are from the heart and strictly a celebration of art and the chosen subject. Nothing political, ecological or pompously academic. Art with humor that is fun to look at and executed in an interesting way.

Perhaps the next show will be something a bit more serious or "cerebral" but I truly hope that it will be saying something worth saying. If not.... what is the point?


Ahhhh Ed Moses a man after my heart during this difficult period.



Note: First Rule of my blob is never listen to a word I say. I often change my mind.... xo

So there you have it on my Press Release (following blog) convincing you how humorous and whimsical my art is, yuck! It just has to be done doesn't it.

Labels: art in la, art now, Art Review, Ed Moses, Kelly Thompson