Reply to: I don't get art

[NotAllThere]

In that case, Tracey's bed probably will qualify. Because of its notoriety, and silly amounts of money it sold for, it will have a place in art history books.

Only if it is celebrated in those books rather than being universally derided.

I'm all for artists being experimental though.

[mudskipper]

What is really art is down to posterity - stuff that is still celebrated two hundred years from now will probably qualify.

In that case, Tracey's bed probably will qualify. Because of its notoriety, and silly amounts of money it sold for, it will have a place in art history books.

[NotAllThere]

So what is art then?

Down to opinion, obviously. But something isn't art just because some art dealers and/or artists say it is - nor can they insist that it is (which is what I object to "Look at me, look at me, look what a nice poo I done, aren't I clever and if you don't love me and cherish and me you're a philistine").

What is really art is down to posterity - stuff that is still celebrated two hundred years from now will probably qualify.

[Doggy Styles]

So what is art then?

Pictures.

[mudskipper]

I went to Art Basel a couple off weeks ago. The vast majority of the installation art was pretentious About 80% of the stuff exhibited by the galleries was also with a further 19% rather "meh". But the 1% of good stuff was really good.

I can't stand "artists" who insist that you appreciate their "art".

There was one guy though who's sculpture just appeared to be five fish tanks place on benches. Each tank had a fish and a piece of bark in it. The explanation was that each fish had been caught in a undisclosed part of the Amazon river, and was undescribed by science - essentially an unknown species. The aquarium industry sponsered this chap to create art with their aquariums. The money went to him, and also funded the biologists who would study the fish. So, quite neat, I though. But not art.

So what is art then?

[Mich the Tester]

BBC News - Tracey Emin's My Bed artwork sold for £2.2m at auction

Leave our Tracey out of it; she's a top rate contractor!

[GreyWolf]

It sounds like a visit to Bedlam but the Victorians never lied to themselves that it was an artistic experience. They went there to laugh at the loonies and then go on to the Haymarket to rattle a trollop or two.

A bracing day out and still have change from half a crown.

[BrilloPad]

I did a lovely poo this morning that I thought was a work of art.

[NotAllThere]

I went to Art Basel a couple off weeks ago. The vast majority of the installation art was pretentious About 80% of the stuff exhibited by the galleries was also with a further 19% rather "meh". But the 1% of good stuff was really good.

I can't stand "artists" who insist that you appreciate their "art".

There was one guy though who's sculpture just appeared to be five fish tanks place on benches. Each tank had a fish and a piece of bark in it. The explanation was that each fish had been caught in a undisclosed part of the Amazon river, and was undescribed by science - essentially an unknown species. The aquarium industry sponsered this chap to create art with their aquariums. The money went to him, and also funded the biologists who would study the fish. So, quite neat, I though. But not art.

[TykeMerc]

Sold for £2.2 million....



BBC News - Tracey Emin's My Bed artwork sold for £2.2m at auction

She certainly has seen the "art world" coming, massive success from total bollocks.

I'm sure that I'm just a philistine, but I don't see any artistic merit in any "art" of this ilk. All it says to me is that people are astonishingly gullible.

[greenlake]

Sold for £2.2 million....



BBC News - Tracey Emin's My Bed artwork sold for £2.2m at auction

[darmstadt]

Well it is free (otherwise you would be in tears if you had to pay) and I like this bit:

- You are invited to stay as long as you wish in the exhibition.
- You may leave whenever you choose.

I can just image a load of homeless dossers just sitting around

[Dactylion]

bulltulip! blatant, bulltulip!

FTFY

[SpontaneousOrder]

Lots of people lie to themselves all the time. Lots of people rationalise the world in completely illogical way like an ostrich sticking it's head in the sand.
People like to feel cultured and a lot of them are perfectly hapy to program themselves into thinking that they are, regardless of the reality of the situation.

[vetran]

I think there is a sort of magic about connecting with yourself but I'm not sure its art.

I remember the bare feet in the grass scene from Pretty Woman occasionally.

At least it wasn't a list of sex partners, a pile of Elephant Tulip or resin coated food (as mentioned above though I think the Bernie Inn can cite 'prior art').