Foghorn Leghorn
“That’s a joke, son!” ”Pay attention now, boy!”
“I’M IN A HEAP OF TROUBLE NOW!” HERE THEY ARE!
MY ART BASEL PAINTINGS!!!
Art Basel Painting 48” X 43”
Art Basel Painting 43” X 48”
Art Basel Painting 36” X 48”
Am I in a heap of trouble? Hardly; at best I’m flattering myself.
I am always poking fun at Art Basel partly because it is an exclusive “political” club which I will probably never have an opportunity to be a member of, and partly because someone’s got to do it. What’s the worst that can happen? I will be ignored, or better yet blacklisted and accused of being a whiny artist, or a bad artist, or a jealous artist or one might say I just don’t get it, or heaven forbid one might call my art the dreaded “D” word (DECORATER ART)?
So what! Don’t hate my art because it’s beautiful. I don’t worry about what people think of me or my art, at least not enough to edit myself. I care what “I” think about my art. I am my own worst critic and best fan. If one does not believe in oneself, ones truth, and ones work; who else will.
In my opinion, Art Basel is a cross between “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “Craft Day at the Psyche Hospital” sprinkled with some amazing brilliant inspired work. Art Basel plays a fine game of manipulating perceived value. It reminds me of that Dr. Seuss story about the Star Belly Sneetches ; value is a consideration; gotta love that.
I do not want to take anything away from any of the artists lucky and talented enough to have their work exhibited at Art Basel; more power to them. It is hard enough to be an artist in a society that often does not value its artist. I see a lot of government support for the big banks, Wall Street, etc. but very little for the Arts, which does not make sense because ART can be a “tangible” investment and uplifting to society.
At least Art Basel celebrates art and brings attention to art with its International collection of exhibiting galleries. Having owned and operated an art gallery for several years in the past, I have the utmost respect for art galleries. They provide a wonderful service, promoting artists and educating people in the arts.
What I find disappointing about Art Basel is that there is so much emphasis placed on degradation, resulting in an abundance of “crap”. So much of the art tries so hard to be shocking that it has the opposite effect, and all just runs together.
There is a place for angst, ugliness, suppression, and horror when it illuminates something in society that needs to be changed, but darkness for darkness sake can be boring unless it is skillfully, rendered and communicates.
I understand the idea and importance of conceptual art but I would like to see a balance of the good, the bad, and the ugly. Art Basel is a bit lopsided. It’s like watching sensationalistic negative news or reality TV all day. You end up feeling so disheartened and disgusted you can barely move.
One might wonder, “Who does she think she is, critiquing Art Basel?”
I am the “real deal”, an artist from a long time ago, from a family of artists from a long time ago. I have done my time and am continuing to do so. I have dedicated my life to honing my craft, earning the right and confidence to speak my truth.
I wake up every morning with an ever changing giant herd of horses in my living room. I spend hours, weeks, and years outside painting, inhaling paint fumes and sweating out in the hot sun, or freezing in the cold while painting with numb frostbit fingers.
And then there are “those frames”, not easy to find, build, figure out, manipulate, pay for, haul around, or ship. Did I mention the challenges of marketing art? I have been on both sides of the fence {gallery owner and artist} without the luxurious cushion of a big bankroll to back me up and bathe me in accolades and advertising.
On top of all that I am now a blogging artist, trying not to come across as TOO crazy, boring, or moronic. “MY KINGDOM FOR AN AGENT” aka an ultra RICH Sugar Daddy or Mama {I think the former only exists in fairytales and so does the latter for that matter}.
So here I am out standing in my field on my own two feet surrounded by a herd of wild horses, which by the way, couldn’t drag me away.
My art may not be everyone’s cup of tea but one cannot deny it has validity, and at the end of the day, it looks “MARVELOUS DAWLING” on the wall! “TAKE THAT! -ART BASEL”!
Would I exhibit at Art Basel given the chance? &%$# YES!!! I may be crazy but I’m not stupid.
A famous 20th century philosopher once said, “A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists”.
Where would the world be without its artists? THINK PARIS! THINK AVATAR!
Art is the language of the spiritual nature of mankind. Artists create the future and that future can be one that we would like to have, not just for ourselves but for future generations.
My art is about “Strength of Spirit.”
My message is “be strong, be brave, be playful, be kind, be productive, and be passionate. Hold your head high and make your dreams happen and HELP OTHERS achieve theirs. Take responsibility for making the world a BETTER place.”
So here I am painting chickens on horses trying to get myself in a heap of trouble.
“THAT’S A JOKE SON”!
Please feel free to leave a comment. I would rather dodge stones than be invisible, which is why I live in a glass house so COME ON!
“HIT ME WITH YOU BEST SHOT”!
The “stars on thars” value system certainly resonates re the current art scene. What a pasionate, thoughtful defense–with a truly important message. Oh my, absolutely love the roosters!
I agree with some points. I think that sometimes what sells in art is experimentation for the sake of experimentation, which can be interesting, but not when it defeats the point of art to begin with–to provoke thought. Sometimes if I am presented with an experimental piece of art or work of literature, I’m conflicted between admiration and frustration at the opacity, as if the artist is trying to stop thought in its tracks.
It’s sometimes hard to untangle the interesting experimentation from the incredibly UN-interesting experimentation, or real ideas from the pretentious and self-serving simulation of ideas.
In the end I think it comes down to the basic question of whether the artist is saying “hey, look at me and how edgy I am” or “hey here is a thought-provoking experience or something beautiful for you to enjoy.” Line is hard to draw sometimes but it’s there.