POST BY PADDY JOHNSON
Image via: Winkleman
Art Publisher Barry Hoggard doesn’t get a chance to blog too much now that he’s running ArtCat, Culture Pundits and Idiom full time. These projects make up a critical part of the art blogosphere, but his rant at Winkleman’s closing of #CLASS two weeks ago reminded me how much I miss his own regular commentary on Bloggy. For those who missed the show, artists Jen Dalton and William Powhida used the interwebs to put together one month’s worth of performances, events and lectures (see Sharon Butler The Huffington Post) and then tweeted and ustreamed the fuck out of it.
I asked Barry Hoggard if I could republish the complaints he produced for Dalton and Powhida’s last class appropriately titled Rant Night because I thought it was a perfect example of what I liked about the exhibition (disclaimer I attended only two classes and followed the twitter stream). It prompted people who spend most of their time contributing to art community in some way other than talking to share a few of their more valuable ideas. Hoggard’s are worth a bit of contemplation.
- [vis-Ã -vis #CLASS] I got tired of seeing tweets and comments on the ustream feed about the quality of the video, quality of the sound, lack of archiving, and lack of interaction. I’m a tech guy who watches a lot of online presentations, and the people involved did their best to engage a larger audience, including letting people on panels know about questions from people watching online. I’ve seen much worse engagement from commercial organizations without the shoestring budget under which #class operated.
- I also got REALLY tired of people bitching online about how William Powhida isn’t outsider enough now that he has gotten some press, even though he still has a day-job teaching in Bushwick. Also, the idea that Winkleman Gallery is somehow part of the big Chelsea establishment just like Gagosian enrages me. Galleries like Edward’s bring us new artists we haven’t seen before, and take big risks, while people like Gagosian poach artists from galleries that developed their careers before they had an already established market for him to exploit.
- People also bitched online about critics like Jerry Saltz, as if he is some kind of major power center for the art world. Get real people! If you want to be angry about how the art world is a big game controlled by a tiny group of people for their own benefit, go after the museum trustees and the oligarchs and the hedge fund people manipulating the markets for a very small group of artists (generally with expensive work). Turning your anger on the likes of Powhida, Winkleman, and all of those “New York art people” indiscriminately is stupid. Try making some suggestions about how to improve the opportunities for a larger group of artists in and out of New York instead, and think about how we make this a more democratic system.
- I get really tired of people reacting to the New Museum Koons/Joannou show with “Isn’t that the way all of the art world works?” Then why the fuck do you even get up in the morning? Is that what you teach your kids, or younger people just starting out in the world? “Don’t ever bother to care about anything, since you have no control over your life or your destiny anyway?” It is most certainly not the way the artists and writers and other parts of the art world I am lucky enough to engage work.
{ 40 comments }
Amen! meeting Barry and Jim, having the chance to dialog with both of them together and individually, was one of my most precious takeaways from #class.
Barry is absolutely spot on, but in particular the last part, the “why the fuck do you even get up in the morning” rings so true.
If one can’t be idealistic in the art world, then where can we be?
Amen! meeting Barry and Jim, having the chance to dialog with both of them together and individually, was one of my most precious takeaways from #class.
Barry is absolutely spot on, but in particular the last part, the “why the fuck do you even get up in the morning” rings so true.
If one can’t be idealistic in the art world, then where can we be?
Very Good. I concur.
Right. Look to the oligarchs, not to those working “in the trenches”.
Very Good. I concur.
Right. Look to the oligarchs, not to those working “in the trenches”.
I totally agree. As someone who had no ability to be physically present at ‘#class’ the video feeds, twitter and comment feeds were a godsend. It was clear they went to a lot of effort to break down the geographical barriers to non NYC people, and I, for one, felt VERY grateful!
If people feel Ed Winkleman, Jennifer Dalton and William Powhida are equivalent insiders/power-brokers to Gagosian et al, then I have some credit default swaps on “sure thing California mortgages” to sell them. Along with the Brooklyn Bridge.
I really enjoyed the #class exhibition, and I say that in all sincerity. And I was “participating” on the internet entirely.
I totally agree. As someone who had no ability to be physically present at ‘#class’ the video feeds, twitter and comment feeds were a godsend. It was clear they went to a lot of effort to break down the geographical barriers to non NYC people, and I, for one, felt VERY grateful!
If people feel Ed Winkleman, Jennifer Dalton and William Powhida are equivalent insiders/power-brokers to Gagosian et al, then I have some credit default swaps on “sure thing California mortgages” to sell them. Along with the Brooklyn Bridge.
I really enjoyed the #class exhibition, and I say that in all sincerity. And I was “participating” on the internet entirely.
If you don’t think Jerry Saltz is the same part of the establishment as the New Museum or any museum for that matter you are sadly mistaken. Over the years Jerry has promoted and written about so many artists that he has taught at schools that pay his income that it is a huge conflict of interest! This guy is playing you all like he is some down home, “aw shucks aren’t blogs great” Messiah. Get real. He is a player who exploits the system like the best of them.
The quote “It is most certainly not the way the artists and writers and other parts of the art world I am lucky enough to engage work,” is laughable. Oh really, the artists, writers and curators you know don’t help their friends? They go out of the way to find some unknown artist and help them. Come on! The art world is one big clusterfuck/conflict of interest and that’s the way it always will be.
If you don’t think Jerry Saltz is the same part of the establishment as the New Museum or any museum for that matter you are sadly mistaken. Over the years Jerry has promoted and written about so many artists that he has taught at schools that pay his income that it is a huge conflict of interest! This guy is playing you all like he is some down home, “aw shucks aren’t blogs great” Messiah. Get real. He is a player who exploits the system like the best of them.
The quote “It is most certainly not the way the artists and writers and other parts of the art world I am lucky enough to engage work,” is laughable. Oh really, the artists, writers and curators you know don’t help their friends? They go out of the way to find some unknown artist and help them. Come on! The art world is one big clusterfuck/conflict of interest and that’s the way it always will be.
Thanks for the write-up. I also wish Barry had more time for Bloggy. le sigh
Thanks for the write-up. I also wish Barry had more time for Bloggy. le sigh
“Oh really, the artists, writers and curators you know don’t help their friends? They go out of the way to find some unknown artist and help them.”
not mutually exclusive.
“Oh really, the artists, writers and curators you know don’t help their friends? They go out of the way to find some unknown artist and help them.”
not mutually exclusive.
“Oh really, the artists, writers and curators you know don’t help their friends? They go out of the way to find some unknown artist and help them.”
not mutually exclusive.
Thanks, Paddy. I think you mean “vis-Ã -vis.”
Thanks, Paddy. I think you mean “vis-Ã -vis.”
Thanks, Paddy. I think you mean “vis-Ã -vis.”
I forgot to rant about anonymous comments on blogs. Hate them!
I forgot to rant about anonymous comments on blogs. Hate them!
EXCELLENT COMMENTARY. The people he points out that are bitching are the first ones who would goose-step along with the power establishment if ever given the opportunity.
EXCELLENT COMMENTARY. The people he points out that are bitching are the first ones who would goose-step along with the power establishment if ever given the opportunity.
I officially hate this blog, all you do is complain and make fun of people, I have not been turned on to one new artist or piece of art for months… Also you complain about all of this bullshit but still keep talking about them etc… If you really meant what you say you’d say fuck you to these people and start covering the real underground avante garde which is ready to take over this country (Cinders, Fecal Face, etc…) I think your really employed by Art Forum, the New Museum and all this shit you rant about 24/7. Fuck all this noise, I’m outta hhhhheeeeeeeerree.
I officially hate this blog, all you do is complain and make fun of people, I have not been turned on to one new artist or piece of art for months… Also you complain about all of this bullshit but still keep talking about them etc… If you really meant what you say you’d say fuck you to these people and start covering the real underground avante garde which is ready to take over this country (Cinders, Fecal Face, etc…) I think your really employed by Art Forum, the New Museum and all this shit you rant about 24/7. Fuck all this noise, I’m outta hhhhheeeeeeeerree.
I officially hate this blog, all you do is complain and make fun of people, I have not been turned on to one new artist or piece of art for months… Also you complain about all of this bullshit but still keep talking about them etc… If you really meant what you say you’d say fuck you to these people and start covering the real underground avante garde which is ready to take over this country (Cinders, Fecal Face, etc…) I think your really employed by Art Forum, the New Museum and all this shit you rant about 24/7. Fuck all this noise, I’m outta hhhhheeeeeeeerree.
you are all welcome to see a lot of videos from class on my f-book page. Large album with 200 pictures. I LOVE THIS SHOW. This type of event doesn’t happen every day in NYC. I cherish it and feel priviledged to be there nearly every day, if not in person, through the podcast. MANY THANKS to creators!
you are all welcome to see a lot of videos from class on my f-book page. Large album with 200 pictures. I LOVE THIS SHOW. This type of event doesn’t happen every day in NYC. I cherish it and feel priviledged to be there nearly every day, if not in person, through the podcast. MANY THANKS to creators!
you are all welcome to see a lot of videos from class on my f-book page. Large album with 200 pictures. I LOVE THIS SHOW. This type of event doesn’t happen every day in NYC. I cherish it and feel priviledged to be there nearly every day, if not in person, through the podcast. MANY THANKS to creators!
From: Mark P Venema
Interesting comments, I heard them on rant night too. But hey, the sound did suck a bit, so it’s good to read them spelled out here.
My comment is just that in general the negative comments about #class didn’t really faze me, since I don’t really see the world in flat out good guy/bad guy terms anyway.
However, there is going to be insularity in any community, and for people sitting comfortably tucked away in less aggressive towns, there is definitely some “whatever” attitude. As much as the virtual aspect draws us in, geography does make a difference.
Having said that, its been a brilliantly wonderful experience for me to listen and dialogue and make new friends, in NYC, Louisiana, Alabama, Seattle, Toronto, London among other places. I would definitely fall into the group of those who tweeted in a number of those who listened and participated, and where happy to have some intensely positive engagement.
From: Mark P Venema
Interesting comments, I heard them on rant night too. But hey, the sound did suck a bit, so it’s good to read them spelled out here.
My comment is just that in general the negative comments about #class didn’t really faze me, since I don’t really see the world in flat out good guy/bad guy terms anyway.
However, there is going to be insularity in any community, and for people sitting comfortably tucked away in less aggressive towns, there is definitely some “whatever” attitude. As much as the virtual aspect draws us in, geography does make a difference.
Having said that, its been a brilliantly wonderful experience for me to listen and dialogue and make new friends, in NYC, Louisiana, Alabama, Seattle, Toronto, London among other places. I would definitely fall into the group of those who tweeted in a number of those who listened and participated, and where happy to have some intensely positive engagement.
From: Mark P Venema
Interesting comments, I heard them on rant night too. But hey, the sound did suck a bit, so it’s good to read them spelled out here.
My comment is just that in general the negative comments about #class didn’t really faze me, since I don’t really see the world in flat out good guy/bad guy terms anyway.
However, there is going to be insularity in any community, and for people sitting comfortably tucked away in less aggressive towns, there is definitely some “whatever” attitude. As much as the virtual aspect draws us in, geography does make a difference.
Having said that, its been a brilliantly wonderful experience for me to listen and dialogue and make new friends, in NYC, Louisiana, Alabama, Seattle, Toronto, London among other places. I would definitely fall into the group of those who tweeted in a number of those who listened and participated, and where happy to have some intensely positive engagement.
The last one’s a beauty.
The last one’s a beauty.
The last one’s a beauty.
AMEN!
AMEN!
AMEN!
Thanks for posting this Paddy, I got there late and missed Berry’s rant.
Thanks for posting this Paddy, I got there late and missed Berry’s rant.
Thanks for posting this Paddy, I got there late and missed Berry’s rant.
Interesting comments, I heard them on rant night too. But hey, the sound did suck a bit, so it’s good to read them spelled out here.
Interesting comments, I heard them on rant night too. But hey, the sound did suck a bit, so it’s good to read them spelled out here.
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