Untitled (What rhymes with Art?)
Posted in BLATHER & DRIVEL on 12/13/2009 02:58 pm by admin
I have an exceptionally bright, if irreverent, friend who likes to remind me that, “Art rhymes with Fart.” It is an ongoing joke that developed as his special way of deflating the loftiness of my profession. As he is a good friend (and a truly creative person), I laugh instead of impugning his evolutionary status.
The same attitude towards contemporary art can apparently be found in the new movie “Untitled.”
I LOVE that they chose to lampoon Christopher Wool - one of the most over hyped artists in the history of hype itself. I confess to this loathing with great trepidation. Wool’s biggest patron is Eli Broad - the billionaire collector, philanthropist and part time home developer. In Southern California, Broad is as important to the art world as white walls and black clothes. Nevertheless, my low-grade loathing of Wool finds catharsis in the image above. (Imagine my frustration when this movie creates a collecting bonanza for Wool.)
From the trailer, they also seem to take a few swings at Martin Creed - the Scottish winner of Britain’s infamous Turner Prize. Creed made a piece called “Work No. 227: The Lights Going On and Off.” Geddit? It’s conceptual. The lights of the gallery turn on and off and instead of feeling mildly irritated, you feel: A. A sense of life’s absurdity. What is more uplifting than a dry joke enshrined at the Boston Museum of Art? B. Pity for Mr. Creed. Every creative worker has phoned it in to wild applause once or twice. C. A sinking sensation that may require an adult beverage and a fart joke.