Art and Economy
as brain cells are depleted from my 9 to 5…let me capture these passing thoughts
the effect of the “recession” on the artist
I have mixed feelings toward the changes sweeping the US and maybe even the global economy.
They say that that the time for luxury living, big risks and big bonuses is over for these
Wall Street “suits”. I personally feel enlivened by this prospect. As an artist, I’ve always felt the need to put at rest or resist the feeling that I am always the underdog with Big Moneyed Suits
controlling my universe. Now, i feel as if the tables have turned and the the once glorified and money hungry suits have been justly humbled for their greed. These past few days reading the financial section has for the first time in my life felt like reading PerezHilton or EvilBeet Gossip - guilty pleasure with the Lehman Brothers’ fall the equivalent of Britney Spears shaving her head.
flip side
Its this same greed (or perhaps ambition, to put it in a positive light) that has probably fueled the luxury industry, media companies, design companies and yes, even the art world. I am, in truth, a maker of luxury goods since art is a luxury item.
This is probably just another love-hate relationship in my book.
I hate suits but love the money they invest in art. What then is the solution or the perfect world?
I want this tyrannical consumerism to end but would like to be able to continue in my pursuit of art production as well. How can art remain relevant and have an even more heightened stature if the overall lifestyle of America is to change into one that is more frugal,less ambitious and conservative?
…perhaps more thoughts on this in the future…one headline at a time
THINK POSITIVE!
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Tags: art and recession, art market, economy, lehman brothers, new york, recession
brief thoughts on conceptual art
as i work in front of the computer, a thought arises
that conceptual art maybe less about the material, means of production or the relationship of
the object to its environment (whatever it may be)
and more of the unique human interplay, communication, decision making and allocation of resources although all unseen and unknown to the viewer that brought about the creation of the “art object”
so let’s say a fictional piece called “Glass Pane leaning on Wall” (and I have seen one actual similar work)
is not really about the glass pane how it leans against the wall but is more of
1. how the gallerist and curator has chosen this work to be displayed
2. the financial means and magic
3. defiance of the desire for substance and materiality
its this semi-vacuous, floaty nothingness of events and people that is really THE artwork.
The viewers standing whispering, the looking at nothing, the gallery assistant
If the finality of meaning is truly in individual perception, then this is mine.
as an artist trying to “make it” during critical times in the global economy, I can’t help but feel (or think) that the decisions of the non-artists are really more attention-worthy than some of the works that front it further occluding the intent of the artist (if there ever was) to have the work stand by itself.
Another example that comes to mind is…Waterfalls by Olafur Eliasson. Tall pipes leaking water basically. I’ve seen more interesting (or questionable) subway puddles. Perhaps its his name, credentials, resume, education and accomplishments that are really on display rather than the structure that spews water.
Just opinion.
I’ve never been a fan of vacuity and time space concerns. I love flesh, excess, colors, sensations, substance and weight in art.
…more to come! (my lunch break is almost over)
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Tags: art, conceptual art, new york art, olafur eliasson, waterfalls nyc
ohhh these artist statements….it can take a year, a few minutes….never
the last one i made took less than 30 minutes. I was rushing and everything just came out. the prior ones NEVER got there.
the added snips -
Emotional fiction and drama
Non narrative
The extent of information in an ad, a song, a passing moment,
We choose to digest/give attention to what answers our most urgent need
Why does a car crash draw in a lot of spectators? Because it broke the homogeneity
I am always in search of that car crash
Meaning can change from one second to the next…even from a singular perspective
The measure of time is changing from seconds to kilobytes
Paint is as close as I can get to the feeling of flesh
why must everything be spoon fed? i think clarity is not the point. The multiplicity of meanings is part of the message of art.
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Tags: art, artist statement
Heil Germany
2 weeks ago my studio mate told me she was leaving for Berlin. White girl from Kansas who moved to New York maybe about 3 or 4 years ago. She said she had been trying to move to Berlin for a year now and that its where the artworld will soon be.
Today I took a look at the Saatchi website. Either they had or will be having an exhibition on contemporary German artists. I love it. I don’t like all American art..some stand out…some disappoint. The artists they’ve selected all seem very fresh to my eyes (but maybe that’s because I’m coming from a more Western-immigrant perspective…US-weary).
In comparison, American art feels too …i’d like to say self-referential, me me me, “cool”, “weird without a new cause”. I’ve coined these phrases because they feel most apt. Their thoughts seem too easily traced and sniffed out and their hunger for fame is seeping from their flawless brushstrokes. (Some or most) American artists have their “strategy” down to a formula. I hate that
Germans ….it feels as if their mental decision making process follows an alien path. They allow themselves to be visually inconsistent, either championing traditional beauty or forgetting it (although not directly opposing the idea of beauty). More inclined towards expressionistic works (which I personally like) and they do not seem to struggle with the idea of success or failure. They vacillate between being descriptive and giving you nothing….that is great. Leave those spaces for imagination, pauses and silence.
This is just my read on some of the works. My favorite I think is Isa Genzken. I think sculptures are really difficult to appreciate in actuality since they feel like most objects in our daily existence so I am appreciating her from the photographic documentation of her works only….but still it stands out.
…blogging from a bus
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Tags: anselm reyle, art, germania, germany, isa genzken, stefan kurten
FAILure
Success is a trap.
I think i realize the need to fail in the studio. The successes of my recent works have corralled me into this tiny space where
one must look like the next, similarities, thread, progression, detectable evolution, identity, blah blah blah
the next one i paint MUST destroy all the rest. I have to FAIL. I want to FAIL.
The thrill of failure
of deliberately doing the wrong thing. to use the wrong color, to be careless with the brush.
I want to make an ugly painting.
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Tags: failure, painting
today I lost a bag of clothes for dry cleaning. whenever I lose something, that thing becomes the most important object in the world. this bag of clothes had been sitting in my room (or wherever it was…I can’t remember) for more than a month, neglected and often forgotten. Dry clean clothes are a bitch with each top costing around $3 each to clean in our area.
and so….
I turned the room upside down, few tears here and there, sobbing, crying, asking God why I am being punished and my poor boyfriend rifling through a week’s worth of trash (with gloves) just to appease my neuroticism. Sorry, I love you.
I don’t know where it went or where it could have gone.
The title above is actually the search phrase I entered into google to find some kind of relief from this petty upset. I was trying to find the spiritual, philosophical and emotional importance of losing an object (in this case a bag of clothes for dry cleaning).
Tell me God - why did thou take away my bag of clothes? Did you want me to shop some more? Is it a sign of some sort? Will something enter my life in its place?
I am petty and childish.
Once I had lost my studio space in Virginia, which was replaced in 2 months time by a studio in New York. That’s another story…
Filed under: life | 3 Comments
Tags: when you lose something, lost, dry cleaning
kate moss painting etc
I’ve been so lazy lately with blogging. The novelty has worn off a bit but here I am again! I am at work right now and trying to bite off some blog time. I haven’t touched a brush in almost 2 weeks because my non-art life has started to get to me (laundry, my sister’s wedding, people, work etc.)
Art thoughts…zero. maybe this one. Kate Moss. so here’s a painting I did with Kate Moss in mind. Its not bondage.
**commercial* **hate work spasm.spasm.spasm.spasm** ok as I was saying. can’t concentrate on my intended topic anymore. I want to get out of here and just paint in the studio all day, have an artist’s agent, a gallerist, curators interested in my work, buyers who buy my work.
Some artist upstarts that I try to recall when feeling down
1. Takashi Murakami – classically trained Japanese artist (as I recall) who went broke at one point in his life. He’s now famous for his work for Louis Vuitton and Kanye West
2. wow that’s all I can think of right now…will try to update this later. I know there are thousands more out there but I’m finding a hard time remembering
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Tags: art, kate moss, painting
World Art Media
Dear Ms. Valenton.
Thank you for your submission to Broadway Gallery. I find your works fascinating, particularly “Poor Hollywood”.
I am an assistant to an artist representative and curator who works with the gallery on a regular basis. After reviewing your submitted work I think we might be able to work together.
Before we collaborate on any shows, I think that we should concentrate on garnering more attention for you and your works. One method that I’ve found particularly effective in getting yourself out there is to be associated with a prestigious art publication. To achieve this end, I’d like to see you featured in the Tips & Picks section of NY Arts magazine. NY Arts’ Tips & Picks feature has been enormously successful in bringing exposure and recognition to artists and their wor
NY Arts has a readership of 65,000 and it is the fastest growing bimonthly arts publication in the US. The magazine focuses solely on contemporary art containing intelligently written thought-provoking articles and beautiful glossy images. The Tips & Picks feature in the print edition is 1/3 of a page with your name, your web address, a color image of your work, and a short text either about you or your work.
The Tips & Picks features are also placed on the home page of the NY Arts online site, www.nyartsmagazine.com. It runs for a minimum of 7 days, and then it is moved to the Tips & Picks Artist Directory where it will remain for one year. One of the best parts of Tips & Picks online is that it provides viewers with a direct link to your website.
I think that this is a great opportunity for us to become acquainted and could be the first step toward working together on other great projects in the near future, like international group shows in New York or Beijing along with our residency program in Beijong. Please visit www.worldartmedia.com to see some of the many wonderful opportunities available to artists.
I am happy to discuss my process of including you and your work in Tips & Picks as well as any further options, costs, and other questions you may have.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Filed under: art | 4 Comments
Tags: art scam, world art media, lisa kim
second
i think i’ve run out of things to say.
nothing to say.
i am glad i survived another work week. I’ve thought of cutting my boss’ face with scissors. and then he’d be begging me to stop. he won’t utter much though because he’d be focused on the blade that’s running down all sides of his face, crossing his face. And then I’d be looking at him thinking how new the color red is on him.
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Tags: boss, nothing, work week
You are but a tiny dot!
Today is my birthday and it is HOT outside. All the girls in new york are in skirts and sandals with their hair up. The fat ladies have that growling look on their face.
I am in pants.
When I dream of myself in the future, I am always wearing a skirt.
Today, I think I looked particularly haggard - shirt not ironed, half-assed job on the ponytail, allergies on my face….yech. I don’t care too much for people at work seeing me a mess. Work feels like a transient and excusable experience. It is the ellipsis between college and everything before that and my dream of becoming an artist. Yeah, that’s a great metaphor. These “work zombies” can choose which dot they are but they are just specks in my windshield.
*sigh* I am grateful! I AM…GRATEFUL.
I may have liked these people more but the rules of play in the workplace constrains any desire for friendship.
If you are an artist (like myself), please keep dreaming. Maybe in the unseen, (music please) your dream builds on mine and…STOP I can’t do heavy drama right now.
point - don’t stop. keep pushing, hustling, grinding etc.
On that note, I bring you a video from Lupe Fiasco. I didn’t like hip hop or rap before but I’m really liking it now. This video (from what I was told) is about a fictional rapper who sells crack to feed his baby and his baby mama. He works on his music when he gets the time to. He dreams of becoming a great rapper…hustling hustling and then he eventually gets there. (correct me if my narration is wrong).
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Tags: artist, lupe fiasco, work
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