Pet Shop Boys Declare You Need More than Gerhard Richter

by Art Fag City on April 13, 2009 · 8 comments Blurb

If conceptual artist duo Gilbert & George made animated videos, I expect they might look something like Hoogerbrugge’s for the Pet Shop Boys’ latest single, “Love Etc.” It’s basically a gay couple self-portrait defined by black outlined objects, flat color backgrounds, photographic reference, and suits a plenty. The connections are practically endless. Unlike the Gilbert & George retrospective at the Brooklyn Museum, however, I like this video. Quirky without becoming just plain weird, the animation actually achieves the goals of their conceptual artist counterparts– accessibility.

Possibly the first pop band to name-check Gerhard Richter, The Pet Shop Boys also please this blog’s author by citing a famous contemporary painter. “You need more than the Gerhard Richter hangin' on your wall” chirps Neil Tennant, suggesting the transcendental qualities ascribed to his art don’t replace love. Well, that, or more simply objects as status symbols aren’t of any substantive value.

{ 8 comments }

Jeffrey April 13, 2009 at 9:30 pm: They can keep their Gilbert and George. I’ll stay with my Pollock and Rothko.
Jeffrey April 13, 2009 at 4:30 pm: They can keep their Gilbert and George. I’ll stay with my Pollock and Rothko.
B. April 14, 2009 at 1:50 pm: They also declare that collectors wear clothes by Issey Miyake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcqDjFBGtzk
B. April 14, 2009 at 8:50 am: They also declare that collectors wear clothes by Issey Miyake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcqDjFBGtzk
Descada April 14, 2009 at 5:49 pm: Love the video, PSB are brilliant. They also did a song with Sam Taylor-Wood last year, a cover of “I’m In Love With A German Film Star”. PSB aren’t a couple, though.
Descada April 14, 2009 at 12:49 pm: Love the video, PSB are brilliant. They also did a song with Sam Taylor-Wood last year, a cover of “I’m In Love With A German Film Star”. PSB aren’t a couple, though.
Pucifer April 14, 2009 at 6:43 pm: I am from the same generation as the Pet Shop Boys. Today, still, no other music, especially dance music, speaks to me like theirs does. Brilliant video, too.
Pucifer April 14, 2009 at 1:43 pm: I am from the same generation as the Pet Shop Boys. Today, still, no other music, especially dance music, speaks to me like theirs does. Brilliant video, too.