A Triptych of Poseurs?
Click on images to view the artist's website
A minor art movement has emerged over the past several years in which artists ape the techniques, forms, and settings of the old masters to present modern themes. Three of the more noteable practitioners of this style, if we can call it that, are John Currin, Odd Nerdrum, and Sandow Birk.
Somewhat predictably, this has gotten the panties of a few art critics so tightly bunched in their already viselike asscheeks that the fabric squeaks when they walk. And speaking of squeaking, what is it with art critics anyway? Has there ever been a more anal-retentive, pretentious, and sorrier crowd of losers so obsessed with leaving their little rabbit pellets of abusive verbiage lying around on the lawn?
Quite frankly, I really don't give a good goddamn what these effete little snobs look down their nose at. I'm an unabashed lover of thrift store art, velvet paintings, lowbrow, and kitsch (however, I'd probably draw the line at Precious Moments figurines). I don't have a problem talking about Leeteg of Tahiti in the same breath as Mark Rothko, because anything that makes me think, gives me visual pleasure, or a hearty laugh is a positive in this ofttimes crappy and mean-spirited world.
Thanks to hama7 for the Currin links, and Mister Haitch for pointing me in the direction of Odd Nerdrum.
Comments
It gets worse. Precious Moments is about to be made into a book, which will be released in April, 2004.
"The first book of a new line of exclusive adult books from Ballantine based on the #1 social expression/lifestyle brand in America... The exclusive line will have around 4,000 words of text -- most of them [sic] inspirational quotatiions to go with the famous Precious Moments images."
Posted by: jkcohen | December 23, 2003 3:45 PM
For god's sake, don' t tell my mother-in-law, or she'll buy it for my daughter!
Posted by: MrBaliHai | December 23, 2003 6:24 PM
I don't think I'd lump Nerdrum into the same category as the other two you've shown. The one on the right is an OBVIOUS reinterpretation (or rip-off) of "Death of Marat" by David. And while Nerdrum definitely works with the masters in mind, I do not see that he copies any of it, but rather uses the style to render his brilliant, albeit sometimes disturbing, imagery.
But that's just me. :)
Posted by: megan | December 29, 2003 12:43 PM
I see your point, Megan, and I agree that Birk's appproach is much different than Currin and Nerdrum's. But it seems to me that since all three of them invoke some aspect of the old masters in order to produce what is essentially kitsch, that they belong together.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | December 29, 2003 2:56 PM