That "conversation" about staging in photography is as old as the hills-and twice as boring. In this age of "digital photo fabulousness" isn't everything altered or manipulated in some way in photography? The notion of forced sinister angles and intentions causing viewer speculation as to whether or not it is "blood or paint" or "is that garbage picturesquely placed or is placed there by chance?" is hackneyed and inane in that "Art History 101 essay kind of way". What should a viewers response be to that? "Oooooo scary, now I can really feel it's power, Jen!" or "WOW! pondering that garbage-y moment was heavy!" What??? And "starchy self-consciousness of staged photography" is just not compelling. It's ALL SO overpowering it just makes me cry out loud-"Who put all this stuff there, and what for?" ...like, seriously you guys, GAWD! I'm also definitely seeing Gary Hill and Yves Klein here, but question, if YOU did, then why didn't you really call it out properly in an appropriate critical context? Really it makes me cry out something more like..."I think it's awesome too, Avril"
And I'll say it again Jen, (for the hundreth time it seems) "If you want local art and artists to be taken seriously on a respected national level then, if and when you think it so, really put a relevant, intelligent, and WELL THOUGHT OUT critique together (backed up by thorough insightful references) that stands up to the rest of the art world's standards of assessment and thought AND opens everyone's eyes. This, instead of your imperious and often dangerous half-baked notions that do not establish or delineate a path to enlightenment and validation!"
I wish 4 culture had a gallery sitter on the weekends. Looks like a couple of great shows!
"Iâm boredâ is a useless thing to say. I mean, you live in a great, big, vast world that youâve seen none percent of. Even the inside of your own mind is endless, it goes on forever, inwardly, do you understand? The fact that youâre alive is amazing, so you donât get to say âIâm bored."
And I'll say it again Jen, (for the hundreth time it seems) "If you want local art and artists to be taken seriously on a respected national level then, if and when you think it so, really put a relevant, intelligent, and WELL THOUGHT OUT critique together (backed up by thorough insightful references) that stands up to the rest of the art world's standards of assessment and thought AND opens everyone's eyes. This, instead of your imperious and often dangerous half-baked notions that do not establish or delineate a path to enlightenment and validation!"
Jen, your enthusiasm is great, but please dig a little deeper & do some research (this goes double on any reviews/references to classical music).
"Iâm boredâ is a useless thing to say. I mean, you live in a great, big, vast world that youâve seen none percent of. Even the inside of your own mind is endless, it goes on forever, inwardly, do you understand? The fact that youâre alive is amazing, so you donât get to say âIâm bored."
-Louis C.K.