In 1985, I published this essay on the iffy relationship between art and art history that was emerging from the madcap enthusiasms of the East Village scene—that tirelessly improvised collection of storefront galleries that provided a home for young artists shut out of SoHo’s blue-chip establishments.
Sidebar comment: Art history itself began with a couple white men enamored with Greek sculpture. From its beginnings, then, art history has been western based as prior and contemporaneous artistic achievements of multiple cultures have been ignored or regarded tangentially at best.
I seem to recall that blur, yes. "a breezy, magpie acquaintance with art history" is so accurate.
Magpie is a bird of a different feather than a Great Owl. Perhaps, this comparison shows some of the distinction between how the eclectic post-mod artists and neo-neoists of the 1980's 1990's differ from the Revival in Italy , 1450- 1600, and Baroque artists. A magpie cries, screams and hollers to and from the past, while that slow deep whoot of the Owl resonates into the past. ( as a boy in rural America I had several great horned Owls as pets, "Hoot-Man" and "Elvis"-- I can hear them now in the night ). The screams of the neo-neoists Magpies percuss, indeed, we can say now, percussed, the meanings of historical rapport, while the originating Owls of that 80's-90's era resonate meanings across time.
Some pursuits really are "trivial" while others can be significant. When the Baroque painters did a version of Paris forced to chose his goddess girl, they tapped into the perennial dilemma that men and women face in every generation-- Who will I mate ? To Whom will I pledge my life.?
Of course, It is difficult to remember a comparable "trivial" quote artwork from the east village, because they are all long forgotten.
I am pointing to the resonance and reverberation into the human psyche that many artists sense and execute, not just the historical works.
Personally, I have become fascinated by the Myths behind the music and ballet "Swan Lake ", on the psychic level : Girls beware the Dark Prince, go for the White One. Boys choose the White Swan, don't be mislead by the Black One, sent to deceive. I know that if I can ever paint it out, there will no 'look-alike ' references to victoriana -- only the poignant present case of that difficult dilemma for us all-- the right choice.!
I offer this as a way that I have grappled with historical knowledge and meanings across time, as the perpetual reality of being human, and yet living in our era, working with our unique visual systems and special materials, in order to produce works substantial, rather than trivial.
Thanks for bringing back another wonderful essay !!
As with any history, if we are unaware we are condemned to repeat it. I think the same is taking place in today's "art world". I see very little invention but a lot of complaining and refurbishing of previous ideas, I'm amazed at the lack of historical knowledge on all fronts. Post Modernism has had a leveling affect where everything is equal? It may be equivalent but it is not equal. For me what is missing in today's art is the "contemplative" , no aspiration except competing with the evening news.
Sidebar comment: Art history itself began with a couple white men enamored with Greek sculpture. From its beginnings, then, art history has been western based as prior and contemporaneous artistic achievements of multiple cultures have been ignored or regarded tangentially at best.
I seem to recall that blur, yes. "a breezy, magpie acquaintance with art history" is so accurate.
Magpie is a bird of a different feather than a Great Owl. Perhaps, this comparison shows some of the distinction between how the eclectic post-mod artists and neo-neoists of the 1980's 1990's differ from the Revival in Italy , 1450- 1600, and Baroque artists. A magpie cries, screams and hollers to and from the past, while that slow deep whoot of the Owl resonates into the past. ( as a boy in rural America I had several great horned Owls as pets, "Hoot-Man" and "Elvis"-- I can hear them now in the night ). The screams of the neo-neoists Magpies percuss, indeed, we can say now, percussed, the meanings of historical rapport, while the originating Owls of that 80's-90's era resonate meanings across time.
Some pursuits really are "trivial" while others can be significant. When the Baroque painters did a version of Paris forced to chose his goddess girl, they tapped into the perennial dilemma that men and women face in every generation-- Who will I mate ? To Whom will I pledge my life.?
Of course, It is difficult to remember a comparable "trivial" quote artwork from the east village, because they are all long forgotten.
I am pointing to the resonance and reverberation into the human psyche that many artists sense and execute, not just the historical works.
Personally, I have become fascinated by the Myths behind the music and ballet "Swan Lake ", on the psychic level : Girls beware the Dark Prince, go for the White One. Boys choose the White Swan, don't be mislead by the Black One, sent to deceive. I know that if I can ever paint it out, there will no 'look-alike ' references to victoriana -- only the poignant present case of that difficult dilemma for us all-- the right choice.!
I offer this as a way that I have grappled with historical knowledge and meanings across time, as the perpetual reality of being human, and yet living in our era, working with our unique visual systems and special materials, in order to produce works substantial, rather than trivial.
Thanks for bringing back another wonderful essay !!
Love your take !!!
PS... Carter, you are the oracle!
As with any history, if we are unaware we are condemned to repeat it. I think the same is taking place in today's "art world". I see very little invention but a lot of complaining and refurbishing of previous ideas, I'm amazed at the lack of historical knowledge on all fronts. Post Modernism has had a leveling affect where everything is equal? It may be equivalent but it is not equal. For me what is missing in today's art is the "contemplative" , no aspiration except competing with the evening news.