Another Non Shitty Quote By An Artist

Odd Nerdrum

With a recent setback concerning a certain Art Award which will remain nameless, I once again feel like I'm living in the wrong century. Must I put on a diaper, run around with a shopping cart while be videotaped, paint a canvas hot pick accented with chicken feathers and then write some nonsense art -speak- about how my work is " a metaphor for my inner Judeo-Christian love child and how that inner child fights for its independence in a post modern feminine utopia bla bla bla bla..." to get somewhere?

I know a lot of you feel the same way I do when you see what gets chosen and what doesn't and you ask yourself, "who did this person sleep with to get here?" I know art is in the eye of the beholder and it's subjective, but when will b.s theory work that says nothing about the human condition, that has no sense of craft or technique finally die off? 

I love good solid theory work (Stephen Kaltenbach and before he was about the cash, Damien Hirst) but really, what's the point of having your assistants create work that only 2% of the population or people who have advanced art degrees can understand?

Genius?
While I was feeling sorry for myself, I found another quote that gave me comfort, allowed me to take a deep breath, and realize I just need to stay on my path and be honest with what I want to do. It is similar to the Hoffman quote a couple post below. I hope it gives you comfort as well.



From The Odd Nerdrum Website:


A greeting to you, gifted one, you who want to attain sincerity in your work.
You are a stranger to your time, but do not loose heart!
I know Art feels unpleasant to you; you have become a slave beneath an aristocracy of incompetents.
Art was never meant for people like you.
Art has its justification - the untalented need comfort - 
but so do you.
You have been ashamed of your ability too long.
So long as the skillful craftsman can only aspire to defeat, a great injustice is done.
Know this: without you as a subjugated guarantor, the incompetence of Art becomes worthless.
The money and honour obtained by artists rightfully belong to you, so take them back!
Put an end to the humiliation, withdraw from Art and let it complete its fall into worthlessness.
The 19th century was the twilight of talent; take part in its dawn.
Through Kitsch the talented one can save himself.
It is a new discipline in which skill finds a superstructure.
A superstructure serving the genius of ability.
Do not allow Art to retain its moral authority over ability.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Oh man I know how you MUST feel. Last year at the Whitney Biennial I wanted to vomit and find out who put it all together and gave the green light for some of the artists and slap the shit out of them! It all goes in cycles and you should read a book by Donald Kuspit called "The End of Art" It traces the history of the contemporary art and the disgusting,money influencing, dead end the art movement has come to it. But the good news is the end of bullshit is here and people will want (or demand) relevant work that speaks to them! Keep your head up and stay focused!

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