September 29, 2008
September 28, 2008
September 20, 2008
Where do you get your ideas?
There’s a booklet with today’s Guardian called “How to write fiction”. There’s a article by Kate Pullinger addressing on of the most common (and most annoying) questions asked of artists and writers.
Writers are often asked the question, “Where do you get your ideas from?” as though there is a special place where you can buy them: Asda for chick-lit, perhaps, Waitrose for literary fiction. But, even though this question gets asked a lot, most writers find it difficult to supply a decent answer. The truth is that ideas are all around us, in the people you meet, in the things you read and see and hear and experience, in your own childhood and family, in the wilder reaches of your imagination.
The complete article is here
September 9, 2008
Adrian Searle on Francis Bacon
There have been a lot of articles in the press recently about Francis Bacon due to his major at Tate Britain. Most I have seen mainly focus on his personal life and those that deal with his work are full of unquestioning praise of his genius. Adrian Searle has an article on the Guardian’s website that offers a refreshing alternative perspective on his work.
Searle admits that certain works by Bacon are “essential” but also makes the fair criticism that Bacon had a tendency towards mediocrity and repetition in his later work.
The top image is from 1988 and the bottom one is from 1944
The article is to be found here.
September 8, 2008
Serious Studio Space Problems in Dublin
The Irish Times have an article today about the objection proposed demoliton of the Hendron Building which houses artist’s studios including Broadstone Studios. The article claims 60 studios will be lost. (This figure seems a little high – I hope there has been a mistake though there certainly will be a substantial amount of studios lost).
Pallas Studios will be forced to leave their building on Foley St. in February resulting in the loss of a further 14 studios (including my own). Some of these studios are shared by more than one artist . If the Times’ figure is correct there will be more than 74 artists in need of studio space in Dublin in the near future!
The proposed development of the site of the Hendron Building is to include “a gallery or studio” but these seems a perfuctory concession and I am sceptical as to how substantial this will actually be. The fact that they are unclear as to whether it will be studio space or a gallery shows this has not been thought through. I imagine this will either materialise as a very commercial painting shop or will be dropped from the plans entirely.
A 14-storey “landmark” building at the centre of the site, which is on a hill, would be visible from the city quays.
The proposed scheme does contain plans for an artists studio or gallery, however it is primarily a residential and office development.
Labour city councillor Emer Costello, who lodged a joint objection with Labour TD Joe Costello, said the inclusion of the studio or gallery space was “sheer tokenism” and the height of the 14-storey tower was excessive.
“The Broadstone Studios is currently home to 60 artists studios and gallery space on this site with 10,00 square feet. These studios are very successful and make a significant contribution to the local community.”
Ms Costello said she was also concerned about the inclusion of an aparthotel. Plans for the restaurant appeared to be more of a “communal dining room for the aparthotel than an actual restaurant local people could frequent”.
© 2008 The Irish Times
Full article here
Image: High Hopes by Lee Welch
September 3, 2008
Another Reactionary Christian Trying to Censor Art
There is a woman who is suing the Baltic art gallery in Gateshead, England for exhibiting a statue of Jesus with an erection. The Guardian have sensationalised the story slightly with there choice of image which is below:
Here is the complete installation which gives a more accurate sense of the scale of the work and the fact that Christ forms one small element of it (sorry its so small).
Lawyers for Emily Mapfuwa, a 40-year-old Christian who was offended by the artwork, launched a private prosecution against the gallery for outraging public decency and causing harassment, alarm and distress to the public. Mapfuwa, of Brentwood, Essex, argues the Baltic would not have dared depict the prophet Muhammad in such a way.
She complained in writing to Northumbria police earlier this year, asking for an investigation, and was informed in May that there was no case to answer.
But the Christian Legal Centre – an organisation that aims to “promote and protect the biblical freedoms of Christian believers in the United Kingdom” – agreed to pay her legal costs. The CLC also funded the case brought by Stephen Green against the BBC over Jerry Springer – The Opera. A CLC spokesman said Mapfuwa believed in freedom of expression, but “this statue served no other purpose than to offend Christians and to denigrate Christ”.
(She may be only suing the gallery now but she did try and have the statue removed by complaining to the police while that work was on show.)
September 2, 2008
The World’s Worst Piece of Art?
Edit: I had written a short piece of text which I accidentally deleted. I think it is a terrible work of art for a number of reasons: It is tacky and ostentantious. It looks like it was commisioned by Posh and Becks. The plinth is ridiculous and at odds with the minimal look of the tank itself. The use of gold instead of his trademark white frame is equally jarring. It comes off as a forced attempt to merge a recognisably Hirst style which expensive materials in order to increase the value and desireability of the work.
The piece called “The Golden Calf” is the most expensive of the works that Damien Hirst is sending straight to auction. I believe he is doing this purely for the money despite the fact that he is already one of the richest artists ever. If he cares about the work then why not put them on exhibit before selling them. The works lack artistic integrity and resemble cheesy parodies of his earlier works – a unciorn in formaldihyde for example.
I believe he has lost any of the original integrity, sincerity or artistic merit that may have been present in his earlier works. Back in the ninties cutting a cow in half and suspending it in formaldehyde was a major challenge and took along time to achieve. He now has the resources to make a work art like this effortlessly – there is no challenge and Hirst has ceased to challenge himself. He has become a spent creative force or an absolute cynic but probably both.
