Questions about art:

[drg]

There is a question unspoken in all this that needs examination I believe, that is in some form about what is often called "Pop" art. That is, popular art. Is an artistic work valid if it is popular?

Think about the works (classic Pop) of Peter Max, LeRoy Neiman, Warhol of course, and yes Pollack. Pollack suddenly became popular and thus was widely heralded and perhaps destroyed as result. They all are popular and mostly commercial. And some of their works are indeed art.

I believe that art can be popular and valid. The body of work of an artist may not all be very good. In fact some of the best work of an artist may be unknown for years or forever.

Jackson Pollacks great works (what are there, about 20?) were produced in a brief period, require a lot of time to process, and defy comparison. The add something to the conversation.

Another artist who grows on you is Rodrigue and his Blue Dogs. This artist on the other hand has lots of works and they've evolved over a long period. They remain unmistakable.

A final thought or two more related to photography. Helmut Newton (though commercially very successful) added to the conversation. It doesn't matter whether in his case you like the work or not, he put elements in his photography we didn't have previously. Newton gave us voyeuristic lust, if you will. But it was elegant and spartan.

Leni Riefenstahl in her later years turned to still photography as an outlet. Regardless of your opinion of her politics and collaboration, she produced an impressive body of work both in Africa and Underwater. Her command of color in her later years is sometimes astounding.

I believe we shouldn't confuse a style with a statement, and we shouldn't confuse subjects with substance. Popularity in art may be like truth, just because I don't like it doesn't mean it isn't important. Just because I can sell something, doesn't speak in of itself to its artistic value, it merely speak to its commercial worth.

Happy Holidays - C

[megan]

I believe we shouldn't confuse a style with a statement, and we shouldn't confuse subjects with substance. Popularity in art may be like truth, just because I don't like it doesn't mean it isn't important. Just because I can sell something, doesn't speak in of itself to its artistic value, it merely speak to its commercial worth.

Completely brilliant!!! YES!!!!!

Megan