Modern art...philosophy can be summed up as a Burger King commercial.

[meri_weather]

While looking for a quote from Maxfield Parrish regarding modern art (that I still can't find --so frustrating), I came across this amusing article by Brad Holland about art and postmodernism. Brad Holland "defines" the different movements in modern art with a cynical and dry wit. He's like the boy that points derisively at the king, forcing

Comments

[areth_lovejoy]

That was indeed an amusing read, esp. as I make frequent visits to the Art Institute and usually skirt the "Modern" section as it more often than nor resembles the scribbles and projects of small children, except small children tend to do it better. That or trash that did not make it to the garbage receptacle.

Art, like morality, consists of drawing the line somewhere ~ GKC

[meri_weather]

I am intrigued by (at least some) contemporary art and find it novel, but it rarely stays with me or impacts my soul. I find it’s, often for me, more of a cerebral exercise, like a mathematical equation that I ponder briefly and then move on to the next “equation.” There’s nothing really permanent, lasting, true or beautiful about so much modern art. It’s all about appearances, experimentation with form, or worse, politics, which is fine and dandy, except that it grows old very quickly. I find that my most common critique is, if not, “Well that’s hideous!”, “That’s interesting.” There is one contemporary artist that I am particularly fond of: Dale Chihuly. He produces glass sculptures that suggest plants, ocean life, astronomical objects, etc. The very nature of glass, what it is, how it is made, formed, etc. is magic in and of itself, but to see an artist move it beyond something useful (no, his art is certainly not practicable) to something that evokes awe and wonder, makes me love, LOVE his art. Some of it is strange, but wonderful

[areth_lovejoy]

Chihuly's work was astonishing. I believe a few of his pieces are at the Art Institute (I'll have to check next time I go), particularly a sunburst in the foyer. I especially liked his larger outdoor pieces. Glass-making is magical. I have always wanted to see it done live. Thank you for the link:)

I do love the way you expressed this: "And I do love the strange and wonderful. And for me, all great art awakens awe and wonder, which directs me from the creation to the only true creator and causes me to rejoice in Him. He is ALWAYS present in great art."

Oh, do read GKC. He is brilliant. And kind and witty. I always loved that he never had to attack someone to prove the strength of his ideas or convictions. He would be absolutely eviscerating the opposing argument but was unfailingly polite whilst doing so:)

Oh, did you ever get a chance to read "The Blue Castle"?

[princess_mia]

The quote that you are looking for sounds familiar. I might have to see if I have it written down somewhere!
That is hilarious that he is like the boy who pointed out that the emperor had no clothes on. Because somehow, we seem to think (as a society) that modern art is sophisticated.;)

Well, not that suspicious, but certainly stubborn! ;D

[meri_weather]

I finally found it after searching for about a week. I can be very stubborn and dogged when I want something. ;D During the summer I went to a Maxfield Parrish exhibit. On one of the wall boards, giving information about Parrish, they had the quote; I liked it so well, I should have written it down. (Lesson learned: next time I’m taking a small journal to jot down bits of information that I want to remember.) Here is the quote:

"Modernistic-Abstractionist-Art... consists of 75% explanation and 25% God knows what!"

*…somehow, we seem to think (as a society) that modern art is sophisticated.*

I know, sadly we live in a society that is more interested in appearances than truth and substance; which is why so many modern people are spiritually starving. They are gorging themselves on “foods” that will never sustain them.

Re: Well, not that suspicious, but certainly stubborn! ;D

[princess_mia]

That wasn't the quote that I thought I had, but I like it none the less!:D
Sometimes, it is good to be stubborn. lol. I know I can really hold on to a idea if I want to find something I read before. It can be annoying.;)
So true, to be gorging on foods that will never sustain one. And, to not even realize they are starving!

[olde_fashioned]

I've gotten my internet back! ;-D Hallelujah, and boy did I miss it. First things first though -- THANK YOU ever so very much. You know what I am referring to, and I wish I could thank you properly, but all I can do is attempt to express myself via tiny pixels on a screen to someone in possession of such a kind heart so far away. So, thank you, and if you ever want any graphics made, I'm your man! Or woman, rather, LOL...;-)

The quote you have in mind isn't this one, is it? "Modernism in the early twentieth century: When, in the art world, the untalented became the fashionable."

[meri_weather]

Hello! It's so very good to have you back! :D