Sunday, November 23, 2008
ArtForum 500 words : Frances Stark 11.21.08
On the ArtForum website, I found a section called 500 words. I read the Frances Stark reflections on a resent exhibition of hers. In the article, Stark describes her exhibition as “trashy collage” in reference to her aesthetic choices. I find it strange to have such a humble comment about one’s own work. When you reach a certain level of acclaim in the arts world, you would think to find a more assertive approach to promotion. That a certain amount of “bragging rights” have been earned by having your work mentioned by a magazine and having the opportunity to share your own personal thoughts on your work. It is expected of the artist to discuss the work, but it should be done in such a way as to show confidence and pride in your accomplishments. But to say “trashy collage” also infers a recognition that postmodern art has as much truth in it as any other exhibition. That the artist understands that not everyone will be impressed by her work, but is ready to step up to the challenge to prove itself worthy of note.
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1 comment:
Nate - tell me more about the work. Is "trashy collage" even remotely accurate? What is the work like? Is she being modest, or diminishing? Or maybe just flip? I am curious: how is it "trashy"?
This blog post _does_, on paper, (can that phrase be applied to something on a blog?) do what I look for in these posts. It isolates an aspect of the article read or of the work encountered and then comments on it. But in this case you may have isolated too much. Untethered to a consideration or description of her work, it is hard for this reader to gauge what was meant or what was directed by Stark's reference to her work so. It makes your comments, however ultimately thoughtful, seem a bit out of proportion.
I appreciate the effort to share your thinking, and clearly Stark's phrase struck you. But I need more here. Broaden your focus a bit next time. As written here, you have concentrated your discussion on a fragment. (It is as if you were discussion a caption without ever referring to the photo it described.)
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