But Is It Art?
"When life stomps on your soul, art reminds you that you have one."
~LMW
Spring preview week continues and boy do I have have spring fever! This video sums up what's stirring inside me. In 1913, Stravinsky's ballet Rite of Spring caused a scandal in Paris. The primitive sounds and movements depicting a pagan offering to the gods of spring caused pandemonium in the audience. All hell broke lose and the police shut the show down. Stravinsky, like many great artists was simply ahead of his time. The Rite of Spring went on to great acclaim in 1929, and by 1940 was Disneyfied in Walt Disney's animated film Fantasia. Click on the music and let's get this party started!
With spring fever comes comes the stirring of creative juices. The best way I know to get the creative sap flowing, is to go gallery hopping in the city. Every Thursday, the hottest destination for art lovers and lovers of freebies, is the art gallery receptions in Chelsea from 6 pm-8 pm, located in dozens of galleries west of 10th Ave between 20th and 27th St.
They usually have complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres which is a double-edged sword. There are those who want to see art, and those who want to be seen, and those who just want free food and booze. I have to admit people-watching is half the fun. Gallery hopping brings out bohos and urban hobos, artists and art lovers, weirdos and wannabees, psychic vampires and lost souls, insiders and outsiders. Care to join me?
That question might best be answered by painter and art critic John Goodrich who has a show on at the Bowery gallery until March 27th. Some friends and I especially loved his figurative work. For me, art needs to engage, to transcend the intellect to core emotions. I may not always like a piece, but I know when my soul sings.
Good or bad art is largely subjective. An artist, in a stroke of boldness or madness, parked this sculpture on the street in front of a gallery in hopes of selling it in his "auction". I wasn't impressed with the sculpture, but would I have given it more credibility had it been plunked down in the middle of...
This gallery?
Things are often not as they appear. Let's have some fun by adding a quiz.
1) At this gallery, is the blue display:
A- Part of a video installation of this exhibit
B- An advertising billboard reflected from outside
C- Conceptual art seen from a gallery next door.
2) Is the object displayed on a wall
A- A fabric sample in a decorator showroom
B- Original art in a gallery
C- A photograph depicting art within art displayed in gallery.
A- Real gallery visitors
B- Sculptures
C- Holographic images
4) Is this image
A- Fine art photograph an art gallery
B- Photoshopped collage by Layla
C- A display from a jewelry store.
Had enough? Feel like you need a glass of champagne, or at least sit down? Okay one more...
5) Is this image
A- A snapshot taken outside a real barbershop
B- A photograph displayed with the original portraits of customers in a gallery
C- None of the above
To find out the answers, stop by here tomorrow for the finale. In the meantime, make art not war.
Categories: New York, Photography, Art
Tags: New York gallery hopping But is it art Chelsea galleries Rite of Spring
OMG! This got me thinking.
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Sring! I love this piece of music. I cannot analyze art or poetry or music. I mean, I could...but that would be sacrilegious to me. I just enjoy.
One of my daughter's profs told her to always push the envelope of what is art....because that makes it more interesting and will make her more successful.
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Yes, push the boundaries.
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As someone who is just getting back in touch with her artistic side, I love seeing all different types of art. I like your comment, you know when your soul sings. Art touches you and brings joy inside. Love seeing all the different artists out there and how creative they are. Great post.
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Thanks, Kim. There is no better time rekindle your artistic side than now.
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Two great Stravinsky quotes:
"I haven't understood a bar of music in my life, but I have felt it."
"My music is best understood by children and animals"
Change "my music" to "life" in the last quote and you'd have my outlook in a nutshell.
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Great quotes. Thank-you.
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Hi Layla!
I love this, of course... I'll show it to John when he wakes up. (He's one of those "work all night types." Meanwhile, so great to see his show featured, the evocative shots of you and Deborah, and to take your quiz--it really made me ponder.... Looking forward to the answers and to talking soon. The hint of coming spring is stirring up so much isn't it?
xxoo, Jenny
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Thanks Jenny!
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