The Artist’s Studio : INSTITUTIONALIZED
So over the past couple weeks I had some people ask me where I have been and what I ave been up to. Truth is I thought that once the fall art season started I might be a little more inclined to hit the books, get some drawing done and go see some shows to review. Well although I been invited to a lot of shows and had a far bit of time to do some art I have been occupying my time in other more fulfilling ways. Usually round this time of year I am happy to lock myself away in a dimly lit room spending hours toiling over thoughts ideas and images. This year it just hasn’t happened yet. I guess I am having too much fun working and the majority of the rest of the time I find myself with my daughter or working out. Art just no longer seems to be my priority. no matter how hard I try and make it I am just other places these days. I think alot of it has to do with being BORED of the ART WORLD. Art has ALWAYS had an INSTITUTIONAL side to it. As a matter of fact MOST GREAT ARTISTS and WORKS OF ART were created going against the grain. In the NEW WORLD ORDER though it seems to be something else though. Since 9/11 the art world has become more and more corporate. It’s almost like a cookie cutter formula to success and something I want nothing to do with.
The formula goes like this take some art classes in high school apply to college or university until you get in. Leave your individuality at the door get molded into what THEY SAY ART IS . Graduate with your B.F.A. Take your “MASTERS” apply for the right grants and competitions become a teachers aid if your lucky it will lead to some sortta semi permanent teaching position maybe even ten year. Impress the right people in the right places with the right words and maybe you will be given a show based on whats written on your resume. Regardless of whether you have artistic vision and talent or not.
And that is all fine and DANDY, but after 20 years in the game, the system can pretty much KISS MY ASS because if it was producing works of art that where exhilarating and mind blowing I would be impressed. Unfortunately it is not though. There are only a hand full of artist that end up doing so and in reality they would have created great works regardless. The rest is ALL FILLER based on IDEAS the GREAT ARTISTS had 30 to 150 years ago now with Bells and whistles. It is kindda like the B-side of an album. there might be a couple gems if you are dealing with an uber talented band in general it’s put there to fill space.
The truth of the matter is that more spontaneous and original things happen to me on Sunday night at the bar I work at than most of what I see in the galleries. I might even go so far as to say working at the bar fills me with many of the things I was looking for in the art world. WILD SEX, we got it, STIMULATING CONVERSATIONS on what’s happening in the world, we got it , CREATIVE MINDS, We GOT THEM TOO.
So I guess this goes out to all the “pretty” people AKTING like their work is new, relevant and has something important to say. We seen it, we heard, we are not impressed. it it all looks like you are attempting to make a BRAND. Back in the day we use to call them series. Brands in the creative realm happen organically. you can’t force bad ideas on the populous they will only buy them for so long and even then they know your lieing. A guy like Shepard Fairy got to where he is cause he followed his own vision not because he followed a formula he was told too. So this goes out to the last of the poets and true bohemians we are always free. Your cooperate cookie cutter ideals won’t stop creation regardless of how long you hold us out. here are some words of wisdom and some of my latest drawings from “The Book Of Skulls” both of which have been acquired in to private collections.
OH YEAH and one last thought
