Look, I’m Gonna Say It
I hate modern art. There. I said it. It’s not that I don’t get it, I do. It’s that I don’t like it. And I’m tired of pretending I do just to fit in with the art snobs at the gallery openings.
I’m Sarah, by the way. I’ve been writing about art for, oh, about 22 years now. Started back in ’98, right after college. I’ve seen it all. The good, the bad, and the downright ridiculous. And let me tell you, the ridiculous is winning.
I remember this one time, back in 2005, at a conference in Austin. There was this piece—a banana duct-taped to a wall. Just… why? I asked the artist, let’s call him Marcus, what the hell it meant. He said, and I quote, “It’s about the banality of everyday objects and the absurdity of consumer culture.” Which… yeah. Fair enough. But it’s still a banana on a wall, Marcus. Come on.
But Here’s the Thing
I’m not one of those people who think art has to be realistic or traditional. I love Picasso as much as the next guy. But there’s a difference between pushing boundaries and just being lazy. And frankly, alot of modern art is just lazy.
Take performance art, for example. I get that it’s about the experience, not the product. But I sat through a 36-hour performance piece once—yeah, you read that right, 36 hours—where the artist just sat there, staring at a brick. A brick! I mean, come on. Even the brick looked bored.
And don’t even get me started on the prices. I was at an opening last Tuesday, over coffee at that place on 5th, and a colleague named Dave told me about this friend of his who bought a “piece” for $87,000. It was a white square on a white background. I kid you not. When I asked Dave if his friend was feeling alright, he just shrugged and said, “It’s about the concept.” Oh, it’s about the concept. Well, in that case, I’m gonna go paint my wall white and sell it for a million bucks.
But It’s Not All Bad
Now, before you think I’m just a grumpy old art critic, let me say this: I don’t hate all modern art. There are pieces out there that blow me away. That make me feel something. That make me think. But those pieces are few and far between.
I think the problem is that too many artists are more concerned with being shocking or controversial than they are with creating something beautiful or meaningful. And that’s a shame. Because art should be about more than just getting a reaction. It should be about connecting with people. About making them feel something real.
And look, I’m not saying that all modern art is bad. Far from it. There are some incredible artists out there doing amazing things. But they’re often overshadowed by the noise. By the bananas and the bricks and the white squares on white backgrounds.
So, what’s the solution? I’m not sure. But I think it starts with artists being more honest with themselves. With asking themselves why they’re creating what they’re creating. And with not being afraid to say, “You know what? Maybe this isn’t good enough.”
And maybe, just maybe, we need to stop pretending that everything is art just because someone says it is. Because it’s not. And we all know it.
Oh, and One More Thing
If you’re gonna do a DIY art project, for the love of God, make it something that doesn’t look like a 5-year-old did it. I mean, look at kendin yap projeleri dekorasyon. Now that’s something I can get behind. Simple, elegant, and actually useful. Unlike a banana on a wall.
Anyway, I’m gonna go now. I’ve said my piece. And if you disagree with me, well, that’s fine. But at least now you know where I stand. And that’s more than you can say for that brick.
About the Author: Sarah Johnson is a senior art editor with over 20 years of experience in the industry. She’s written for major publications and has a no-nonsense approach to art criticism. When she’s not writing, she can be found in her studio, painting landscapes that actually look like something.
Delve into the intricate world of creativity and challenge your perceptions with art's beautiful, chaotic truth, a thought-provoking exploration of our relationship with visual expression.
