Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
A lot of us obviously aren't happy with a lot of what is hailed as contemporary art. But are we such hidebound dinosaurs, such bourgeois wet blankets that we lack any capacity for enjoying contemporary art?
I thought not.
So I thought I'd start a list of Contemporary Art We Don't Hate.
I'll begin with two favorite contemporary artists of mine. They're far from my only favorites -- in fact I see a lot of contemporary art that I like -- but these are two artists whose names I can remember off the top of my head and whose artwork I can easily reference in a Google images search. They are Andy Goldsworthy and Yoshihiro Suda.
Unfortunately, I was unable to upload the photos I wished to use to summarize each artist, but one for Goldsworthy is here and one for Suda is here.
Goldsworthy's art is probably the more famous in the US (check out some images here -- enchanting, eh?) so I think I'll focus on Suda's work, particularly Suda's weeds:
Suda hand-carves and paints lifelike weed seedlings and then sticks them somewhere. That is his art. And it's delightful. Wonderful, in the literal sense.
The first time I saw Suda's weed sculptures was at the Art Institute of Chicago. The weeds transformed the museum. You'd meander from exhibit to exhibit, with everything as it usually is -- except here or there in a crack or a corner (the suki-ma, the neglected space) you'd see a weed sprouting -- not a real weed, but sometimes you'd've had to touch it to tell that it wasn't.
The crowning glory for me were the weeds sprouting from the cornices of the glassed-in atrium: exactly where weeds would sprout if the atrium weren't glassed in (I couldn't find a photo of them, but here is a picture of the atrium, and use your imagination). If humanity didn't fight a constant battle against weeds, you know they'd eventually start growing right in the places where Suda puts his miniature sculptures, just like the good little opportunists that they are.
Suda's work captivates me because he expresses such joy and reverence for his subject. He loves his subject, and loving the subject -- whatever it is, even if it's something as mundane as a weed or abstract as a color-value -- is a vital part of art to me. Also, Suda's weeds obviously have a sense of humor to them, refreshing in an age when people tend to take even the absurd -- or especially the absurd -- so seriously.
Suda is also a craftsman, and -- as I'm an amateur (or a very semi-professional -- more like hemi-demi-semi-professional) artist from a family of amateur, professional, and semi-professional artists -- I appreciate craftsmanship. One of the things that bugs me about much conceptual art is that even when the concept is intriguing, the execution is often poor (or so has been my experience). But Suda has concept and execution. And that is art.
Much the same could be said for Goldsworthy.
So, who are your favorite contemporary artists?
To narrow things down a bit, let's not include musicians (music is an oceanic topic on its own) or literary artists (for the same reason), and let's say that the artist is not only literally contemporary, but does art in a style that's recognizably "contemporary" in some way. (Don't forget to include links to photos of your favorite pieces if you have the time!)
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Nov '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
I absolutely love the stylized work of Akira Yoshida:
http://digi-akira.net/art/2006/08/post_58.php
http://digi-akira.net/art/2006/08/post_59.php
http://digi-akira.net/art/2006/08/post_60.php
Edited on Dec 1, 2010 at 12:49amAug '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
Jim Dine, Chuck Close , Chiluly, Christo , Oldenburg , Maya Lin , Nevelson, gosh the list goes on. I'll try to post links later , but on the phone makes thing awkward . Important thing is never the totality and it's friend relativism, but the work . When art is for the sake of contemplating life through the artist filter, then we feel. The art which incited this post and the arguments prior is a provocation to respond to an agenda that has nothing to do with the contemplation of life , but rather bullies one into a defensive position from the assault of the image. That's not even debate , just aggressive visual rhetoric.
Aug '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
As an aspiring woodworker (furniture and turned items), I love craftsmen who work in wood and try to stretch its capacities, both artistically and functionally. Here is a link to a current exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum of mostly turned items.
Continuing in wood, the work of James Krenov, Samuel Maloof, the Moulthrop family, George Nakashima and Garrett Hack is inspiring in varying ways.
Turning to painting, Georges Roualt is moving as is Makoto Fujimura, both of whom bring their Christian faith to their work, showing that modern art need not be nihilistic and art grounded in religious faith need not be reduced to such schlock as Thomas Kinkade (WARNING: Vomiting may ensue from the syrup-i-ness) or Warner Sallman (and you wondered who had painted that icon?)
Aug '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
I can see why. It's so elegant -- I get an Art Deco meets Anime vibe from it. And it's extremely well-composed, with an excellent rhythm and use of negative space. (Composition is so important to me that even deliberately "ugly art" can seem beautiful to me when it's well-composed.)
Another artist you might appreciate is Masatomo Kuriya. He takes Cibachrome photographs of minimalist ikebana against hand-painted backdrops. Though I find some of his more famous photographs (the tulip bowl, for example) somewhat insipid, his other work is striking -- stark and lush at the same time. He can make a rusty iron hoop look like just about the most beautiful thing in the world.
Edited on Dec 1, 2010 at 8:51amAug '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
I was sorry to have missed Christo's "The Gates" display in Central Park. However, there are many beautiful pictures of it, so I can at least imagine being there.
I think you've hit upon something. An artist, in order to get enough attention to succeed, usually does have to be something of an exhibitionist. But in order for his art to succeed (or at least succeed according to the aesthetic I believe many of us Ricochetians share) there has to be contemplation, too.
Edited on Dec 1, 2010 at 9:22amAug '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
Matthew Lawrence:
Turning to painting, Georges Roualt is moving as is Makoto Fujimura
I am looking at Fujimura's "Grace Psalm" and "Tree Grace" right now. Thank you!
Wow. I never knew. And he did "Christ at Heart's Door", too. (I can't help having fond memories of that one because it was probably the least ugly painting at Sunday School.)
My best friend's mom is nuts about Kinkade -- and the Da Vinci code. Kincade always reminds me of cotton candy.
Nov '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
I can see why. It's so elegant -- I get an of Art Deco meets Anime vibe from it. And it's extremely well-composed, with an excellent rhythm and use of negative space. (Composition is so important to me that even deliberately "ugly art" can seem beautiful to me when it's well-composed.)
I am really beginning to like you, Midge. I think we are genuine kindred spirits.
Nov '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
"Aggressive visual rhetoric" — Brilliant, simply brilliant. I wish I had thought of that, which is the highest praise I can give anyone. With your kind permission, I think I will add that to my own little "intellectual ammo box."
Aug '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
Forgot to add Fairfield Porter, through the expert guidance of Mr Teachout . If you're on the west coast , there is an artist named Joe Cleary who does amazing painting and sculpture, mostly nudes. Jeanette Pasin Sloan has a body of work in photorealism and textural painting that is very arresting and beautiful. so what's for lunch ?
Edited on Dec 1, 2010 at 9:36amAug '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
I had forgotten what a party Chiluly is, and how much I love Lin's "Bodies of Water" (among other works).
I don't remember hearing of or seeing Nevelson's art before (doesn't mean I haven't -- I'm just that bad with names), but I like his stuff!
Folks, Jeannette Pasin Sloan's work has to be seen to be believed. It is Op Art, only more so.
As if Op Art expressed the same fascination with reflection that you see in those old Dutch and Spanish still-lifes, or some of Escher's work.
The accurate rendition of reflection in art always moves me, as it's a sign the artist has put aside his preconceptions and cognitive shortcuts to open himself to the light as it is touching his eye.
The only way we experience visual art is to have light touch us, after all.
Aug '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
Louise Nevelson...............
Aug '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
Ah... Oops! I misread it as "Louis".
Toldja I was bad with names.
Aug '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
Ah... Oops! I misread it as "Louis".
Toldja I was bad with names.
Then again, perhaps I'm just expressing a subconsciously fluid approach to gender, eh? I do that from time to time...
Nov '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
The bronze figures of Robin Buick capture some of the spirit of ancient statuary.
http://www.artrenewal.org/pages/artwork.php?artworkid=3658&size=large
http://www.artrenewal.org/pages/artwork.php?artworkid=3649&size=large
http://www.artrenewal.org/pages/artwork.php?artworkid=3650&size=large
Edited on Dec 1, 2010 at 3:33pmNov '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
When it comes to Art, I am very much a Traditionalist. I like pictures with a "narrative." I prefer realistic representation. And I believe that the human figure is the supreme object of artistic veneration.
If you feel the same way, I invite you to visit the Art Renewal Center.
http://www.artrenewal.org/
It contains a huge gallery of artists, most of them from the 19th Century. If you wish to stay within the parameters of this thread (contemporary artists only), you can go directly to the "ARC Living Master Gallery," which showcases over 60 artists:
http://www.artrenewal.org/pages/livingartists.php
Edited on Dec 1, 2010 at 3:49pmNov '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
Donato Giancola offers us the rarest of all artistic themes: Heroic Colonial America.
http://www.artrenewal.org/pages/artwork.php?artworkid=32671&size=large
Aug '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
The figures in the Bacchic dance are exquisite.
I invite you to visit the Art Renewal Center.
http://www.artrenewal.org/
If you wish to stay within the parameters of this thread (contemporary artists only), you can go directly to the "ARC Living Master Gallery," which showcases over 60 artists:
http://www.artrenewal.org/pages/livingartists.php
What a treasure-store ARC is. Such lustrous works. Thanks for pointing it out to me.
Nov '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
Although it is not relevant to the thread, I cannot resist providing a link to Nocloo:
http://www.nocloo.com/home/
It is a veritable treasure cave — an enormous gallery of gorgeous artwork from the Golden Age of Children's Book Illustration.
http://www.nocloo.com/gallery2/v/arthur-rackham-midsummer-night-dream/rackham-midsummer12.jpg.html?
http://www.nocloo.com/gallery2/v/edmund-dulac-tempest/dulac-tempest13.jpg.html?
http://www.nocloo.com/gallery2/v/charles-robinson-songs-sonnets-shakespeare/crobinson-shakespeare10.jpg.html?
Edited on Dec 1, 2010 at 10:57pmNov '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
The adjective "lapidary" (meaning exquisite, jewel-like quality) is used rather carelessly. But it perfectly describes the work of Adrienne Segur:
http://segur.artpassions.net/
Her pictures are beautiful beyond words.
Nov '10
Re: Contemporary Art We Don't Hate
Keith Parkinson was a commercial artist who worked in the fantasy field. His ultra-realistic technique is superb.
http://www.scanraptor.com/0/kparkinson1/pages/XXX_1561_Keith_Parkinson_The_Druids_Stone.htm
http://www.scanraptor.com/0/kparkinson1/pages/XXX_1977_Keith_Parkinson_Chernevog.htm
http://www.imagenetion.com/imagenorg/kparkinson2/pages/XXX_1988_Keith_Parkinson_A_Time_of_Exile.htm
Edited on Dec 2, 2010 at 3:51am