My recent interest and activity in the art world’s blog community, has presented me with an empowering opportunity to exercise my first amendment. Writing my own blog not only advocates A.J. Liebling’s quote “freedom of the press belongs to those who own one,” but my participation (by posting my opinions and input on other blogs via commentary) has allowed me to express a point of view and innovatory spirit that I feel is otherwise unheard. (I know this has a small impact in the realm of things, but please understand that I have not previously left commentary or really participated in any interactive Internet communities ….outside my personal friend networks on sites such as Myspace and Facebook). This newfound enthusiasm has prompted me to re-iterate my comments on our economic crisis collectively on my own blog (each listed in their specific context):
*. ART fag City on Time Out New York ‘s Special Arts Report: Surviving.
“A number of professionals in the arts talk about the impact the troubled markets will have on art. To sum up: Less sales and funding, but more innovation. I’m inclined to replace “more” with “different innovation” as this is precisely the kind of talk that re-enforces the myth of the starving artist. [UPDATE: I’m not challenging the idea that the starving artist exists, only the notion that an artist has to be poor to make progress creatively]”~ AFC
My commentary and correspondence with Art Fag City:
-(before the “update”) I just have to speak up here.. because before the ‘troubled markets’ the ’starving artist’ in NY was not such a myth and the circumstances for artists in the city have made this economic crisis unlike the previous times of RECESSION and decline. In the past, rent and studio space became cheap if not affordable, artists could live more cheaply, obtained more space to work and that’s when and where the creativity and real innovation happened. In Elizabeth Currid’s book ‘The Warhol Economy’ she discusses this previous historical outpouring of creativity, the significant work that came out of it and how art actually helped the NY economy in crisis. ******The difference in 2008, is that the high real estate prices and gentrification has made it nearly impossible for the New York artists to afford to live and work in or even close to the city. This article I read last month in Res Arts says it all: http://www.resartis.org/index.php?id=309
Rebecca Sherman // 14 Oct 2008, 4:42 pm
-Just to clarify, when I talk about the myth of the starving artist, I am being critical of the idea that an artist has to be poor to make creative progress. I really don’t think suffering is necessary for good art.
Quoting Elizabeth Currid isn’t going to win you any points around here
Art Fag City // 14 Oct 2008, 4:51 pm
-no, you misunderstood me….I’m being critical of the pretension and financial barriers that limit many amazing, innovative artists who can not afford to live in the city, pay for studio space or pay for an MFA tuition. It can very well be those non-MFA molded minds with a unique revolutionary vision who could determine that so-called INNOVATION. If you look at the most exciting times in art history…. that was exactly it! And despite your pretension, Currid makes a valid point . We have not seen any decline in rent or costs for artists to shift they way they work that can trigger possible new ideas/ visions that can come into light. My whole point is that poor artists do not have the opportunity to make the same creative progress as more fortunate ones….how could they with out materials or space to work. If you took the time to read that article in Res Arts, you will see that even recognized, young artists who received their MFA and are showing in galleries (such as Jason Tomme who showed at Mary Boone last month)….have been suffering and facing barriers due to MFA loan fees and studio rent. And I hate to break it you, but suffering, its reflections and revelation is a huge part of art. As an artist, its not cool or fun to suffer…no one wants it, but there’s where we grow from and universally relate. Here’s another valid pop quote that may conflict with your pretentious art class standard, “Yeah, great art is about conflict and pain and guilt and longing and love disguised as sex, and sex disguised as love… ” ~ Lester Bangs in Almost Famous
Rebecca Sherman // 14 Oct 2008, 10:47 pm
-Fine Rebecca, but I never suggested I think financial barriers don’t affect artists so I don’t know why a) you keep harping on this point, and b) are interpreting a statement I never made as proof of pretension. Only an idiot would say what you seem to think I’m saying.
Art Fag City // 14 Oct 2008, 11:00 pm
-A. I love that you responded so promptly!
B. I keep harping on this point because I feel that it is an important, timely issue that significantly affects the quality of the art, but is not highlighted and given the same media attention as the financial dilemmas on the pure “market end.” So, when I see an opportunity to express the artists’ point of view, I’ll take advantage.
C. I apologize for the for any mis-interpretation…. and I’m sorry to have accused you of pretension.
D. good luck and goodnight:)
Rebecca Sherman // 14 Oct 2008, 11:25 pm
**SELLOUT’s After Art?
“As galleries fold and the day job lifestyle becomes harder to manage, will more art students decide that they'd rather become urban planners and inventors of energy technology, and otherwise put down the hot glue gun and apply their dream-skills toward envisioning a brighter future? It's compelling, isn't it? I wrote that last sentence and kind of stared at it for a minute, because I am not sure art is going to deliver a brighter future, and something has to.
Seriously. What do you think? What keeps you making art? How useful do you think it is? Does usefulness matter? When does it start mattering?””
My Comment:
First of all, I have to say that art will always find a way...being someone who has made art my entire life, I consider it a life style. And I know that there are many out there , just like me, with a full time day job and limited finances and although our resources may shatter or diminish, there is always a way to create, express and make something. The unfortunate circumstances place barriers on the type and quality of art that is made.... while depicting the current state of affairs (as art is always a reflection of our individual and collective history).But that's where we have to innovate and figure out a way around the circumstances rather than giving up on art. Asking about art in terms of usefulness is like asking about writing in the same way. It is the same useless question that many posed about painting in the "Y2K digital era." Is it still relevant or useful and will it become obsolete? It may change and alter, but will never become obsolete because painting (or ART for that matter) is a human expression and reflection of our history. Market or no market, nothing can take that away.
-Posted by Rebecca Sherman
*** Art Most Fierce’s Reality Check and Dossage of Tough Love
from a collector’s point of view:
“ARTmostfierce already got the memo last Friday at the end of the day after several co-workers got a pink slip...DID YOU?
It seems that the Art World has not in so many ways. Every other businesses and institutions are taking the proper precautions and tactics to weather the current economical storm. What exactly are The Art Galleries, The Art Non-Profits Organizations, The Artists and The Collectors doing about it ? Well...not much exactly…Gallery closings are already happening but, other galleries seemed unfazed by it and the prices of art have not changed nor re-adjusted to accommodate the new market needs….
Most of the Non-Profit Organizations jumped into the Art Roller Coaster ride, increasing the pricing of its limited editions and mimicking the manner and style of Art Galleries, making almost impossible nowadays to even purchase limited edition prints. The pricing is so absurd that even at auctions , most pieces donated by an artist and galleries to a non -profit, the starting auction art piece price is elevated higher than the galleries current selling price …..
Artists need to realize that now the word AFFORDABLE must be even worn in T-shirts.”
My commentary and correspondence w. Art Fierce’s Ruben:
Rebecca Sherman said...
As an emerging artist, I have made the decision to sell some of my work directly (although a selection of my pieces are only available through my art dealer). Being an oil painter, the costs to make the work are quite high and it is difficult to reasonably price the work and make any profit, especially at an "emerging artist" phase. However, I have taken the initiative to sell prints and other reproductions of my work (almost by taking a step back and relying on the Internet as a resource). I have an account on the Red Bubble website (which produces these reproductions and creates online stores for artists to sell their work free of charge). The costs are incredibly reasonable for buyers and unlike many over-saturated, online art galleries, there is some great, quality work on the site. Here is the link: http://www.redbubble.com/people/bheki/art
October 15, 2008 12:06 PM
Ruben said...
Rebecca: Thanks for your input. Sounds like you are taking already the right steps to curve this situation.
Best,
Ruben
And I’ll end this post with a great quote from the REAL Lester Bangs:
“Every great work of art has two faces, one toward its own time and one toward the future, toward eternity.”
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