Comments on: AFC Nominates “Up Against” For Worst Show in Chelsea

By: onomatopoea

onomatopoea — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:30:20 +0000

“reclaiming a largely male interest in peeing off the sides of high buildings.”\n\nLargely male? C’mon, it isn’t just males, actually I can;t remember the last time I peed off of anything. I had a dream once I was peeing off a bridge. I woke up relieved I hadn’t peed my bed. It was so real, you see.\n\nAnne Hamilton can be bad too doncha think? Its not them, though, its the esthetic - poesis or something like that.

By: sven

sven — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 06:19:10 +0000

i thought the luc tuymans interview was good if anyone cares

By: ak

ak — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:29:40 +0000

Not all shows are good. I haven’t seen this one, but it doesn’t sound good. One of the most frustrating things about the “art world” is that there is so little criticism of art. “Criticism” meaning to make a reasoned and fair argument for or against work being successful, and most likely a combination of the two. Generally it’s only silence or praise or ambivalence. It’s pretty frustrating. And it contributes to the art world being an uncritical environment, or at least appearing to be one, which from most vantage points is the same thing–an elitist scene that is difficult to take too seriously. Creativity/art is extremely interesting and can be quite exhilarating. It’s unfortunate to remove or ignore the critical portion of it, because when the majority of a community is complicit in not communicating and not saying anything “negative,” then there is a sickness, where there is willful avoidance. What other discipline can remain healthy if everything* is accepted uncritically? Or, more precisely, if all critical discourse* is only concerned with what is successful? [*Exaggeration for effect.] Basically what Jeffrey said. Minus the appeal for talking about good shows, just because there is plenty. And also, most times, if something is really good, talking about, writing about it, actually gets you further away from it. It’s too good to write anything meaningful. Sometimes. It’s easy to be critically make a case against an institution or “the art market” or the “art world” (see above), and this is often the best critics can come up with. AFC does a very good job. I’m sure other people I don’t know about do a good job too. But it’s in the minority of art discourse. Not all art is good.

By: L

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:53:24 +0000

HA! What a breath of fresh air this is. Sure, Antoni’s got her fans, and she’s really a nice person, but her work from Skowhegan on has been such a boner. I mean, I’m lookin’ at these pictures and I’m feeling embarrassed for her.

By: vanderleun

vanderleun — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:47:37 +0000

You are too kind.

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:55:04 +0000

The problem is no one wants to actually be critical anymore. I can’t stand the woman’s installations or whatever you call them. Who wants to sit and watch a naked woman NOT do anything for a few hours. Not Me.\n\nWhere are the good shows one can talk about.