I was looking at artworks today that have gained instant fame due to their shock value. There was a life-sized, naked, chocolate Jesus. It was seriously made of chocolate and displayed over the Easter holiday. There was a tank of formaldehyde with a life-like replica of a dead Saddam Hussein floating in it. Another one, which I thought was simply disturbing was titled "The beauty in death" by German artist Gregor Schneider. The work is currently incomplete. It requires a volunteer who is willing to die in a museum.
Is it irresponsible for members in the art community to use shocking, disturbing imagery for shock value, or do we need those artists to explore the dark side of humanity the same way that a film maker may produce a movie about a serial killer?
What I love about art is the powerful means of communicating directly from the soul. Art can convey emotions that words cannot express. It's romantic and idealistic. Are these works just parlor tricks to generate instant fame or is there merit in art that forces us outside of our comfort zone?
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7 comments:
Very good comment. No one ever wants to address the superficial side of the art world, but it's out there.
Shock value?
I believe it has value, lets look at what happened in a Iraq press confrerence a few days ago.
Performance Art perhaps?
"This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog," journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi screamed in Arabic after throwing his first shoe at Mr. Bush's head.
"This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq," the TV journalist added after his second shoe was thrown at Bush's head.
Funny- it looks like the 2nd comment was censored! As for the Bush clip- how about his reflexes? I was impressed. I wonder if Obama would have thrown the shoe back at him?
Very serious conversation going on in here! No censorship in the arts! Those artists sound like like they are using gimmicks like Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction! Thumbs down on the death piece.
Delicate subject, but artists should not offend. It takes the spirituality out of art.
Your post reminded me of an exhibit I saw at the Wellcome Collection in London; Life Before Death. It was beautiful. I couldn't help but stand in the middle of the gallery and cry.
http://www.wellcomecollection.org/exhibitionsandevents/exhibitions/lifebeforedeath/index.htm
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