The Great Art Debate

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

Do you know Tom Stoppard's intellectual comedy Travesties? Set in Zurich, 1917, when James Joyce, the Dadaist Tristan Tzara and Lenin were all in residence,and where the British Embassy promoted a production of The Importance of Being Earnest? It is a brilliant achievement, highly comic intermingling of ideas about politics, fiction and art in a parody of Oscar Wilde. I was once called in by a director to talk to his company in rehearsal about WTF Lenin was talking about in a lengthy abstruse speech about Marxist theory and socialist history - I'm not sure how enlightened they were by the end, but they were pleased to know it all had real meaning...

Will you be on youtube with Mandarin subtitles?

I don't know 'Travesties', but it sounds good.

I don't know how you will first be able to see some of what I filmed and I don't know yet whether this one will be any more than a news item. I doubt it will be on YouTube as such, but it will be hosted somewhere with, as you say, Mandarin subtitles. The channel is also going onto Freeview imminently, so I might be able to direct you onto there.

The main purpose of doing this was as a bit of a pilot run to see if I was up to it and to lose my camera virginity. Frankly it was such a glorious exhibition, I wish we'd had much more time to prepare and much more time to film; I also wish I had made all my mistakes and used up my first time on less compelling subject matter.

Here's a great shame for you - the interview I did with the curator will be just about the best TV that will be made on this exhibition, in my humble opinion. At the end she said that she had been interviewed countless times now for this exhibition and that mine were the best, most interesting and knowledgeable questions she had faced and thanked me for the research I had brought to it. She was an absolute pro – almost everything was word perfect and done in one take, which was amazing given the substantive responses she was giving.

The problem was, we filmed it so that we only has the camera on her at the time, and when she had gone, we filmed me asking the questions again without her actually been there - what they call 'reverseys'. Sadly it was bloody hard to even remember how the conversation had developed and what I had said, nevermind trying to ask questions in a natural way with the actual person not there.

The producer said that next time we do that sort of thing we'll have at least two, maybe three cameras on it so we can capture the discussion properly.

As I say, she (Gemma Blackshaw) has my utmost respect for writing a great catalogue and for absolutely schooling me in how to be coherent and engaging on camera.

For my part, I was very happy with how my questions went down and the responses I got out of her, but sadly I don't think that will ever see the light of day in full because of how hard it was to get the reverseys done.

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

In a very bizarre turn of events that really needs a longer explantion, I had the bizarre experience of presenting a TV programme for a Chinese channel on the new exhibition at the National Gallery on Tuesday this week: Facing the Modern - The Portrait in Vienna 1900.

It's a fantastic exhibition. I had the privilege of interviewing Gemma Blackshaw the curator, who has done a magnificent job of bringing the art of this amazing time and place to life and securing loans not only of the big three - Klimt, Schiele and Kokoschka - but some really interesting lesser-known artists too.

Vienna - remarkable in that in 1913, Hitler, Stalin, Trotsky, Tito and Freud all lived there at the same time. The quality and diversity of intellectual and cultural life there in the 20 years leading up to that can't have been surpassed in many times or places.

I doubt that Hitler or Stalin made much of a contribution to the intellectual and cultural life of anywhere they lived! Not too sure about Tito either...

Those were separate points, but I can see how the way I wrote it was misleading.

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

And the great Brian has now savaged her: http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/exhi ... 70816.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

*sigh*

[William the White]

At the end she said that she had been interviewed countless times now for this exhibition and that mine were the best, most interesting and knowledgeable questions she had faced and thanked me for the research I had brought to it. She was an absolute pro – almost everything was word perfect and done in one take, which was amazing given the substantive responses she was giving.

The problem was, we filmed it so that we only has the camera on her at the time, and when she had gone, we filmed me asking the questions again without her actually been there - what they call 'reverseys'. Sadly it was bloody hard to even remember how the conversation had developed and what I had said, nevermind trying to ask questions in a natural way with the actual person not there.

The producer said that next time we do that sort of thing we'll have at least two, maybe three cameras on it so we can capture the discussion properly.

As I say, she (Gemma Blackshaw) has my utmost respect for writing a great catalogue and for absolutely schooling me in how to be coherent and engaging on camera.

For my part, I was very happy with how my questions went down and the responses I got out of her, but sadly I don't think that will ever see the light of day in full because of how hard it was to get the reverseys done.

[/quote]

Congrats - sounds like a great job, done well... hope there is, indeed, a next time...

[TANGODANCER]

Ships in the mist. Did this last night and this morning. A3 size.

[TANGODANCER]

I doubt that Hitler or Stalin made much of a contribution to the intellectual and cultural life of anywhere they lived! Not too sure about Tito either...

Hitler was an avid collector of works of art. Trouble was he didn't want to pay for them.

[Montreal Wanderer]

I doubt that Hitler or Stalin made much of a contribution to the intellectual and cultural life of anywhere they lived! Not too sure about Tito either...

Hitler was an avid collector of works of art. Trouble was he didn't want to pay for them.

I think Goring was more of an art acquirer, although some did go to Hitler. I think Hitler looted them for their value rather than intrinsic beauty while Goring loved to surround himself with beautiful things (including women) in Karinhall (Carinhall?).

[Raven]

Ships in the mist. Did this last night and this morning. A3 size.

I like that, Turneresque in my eyes

[TANGODANCER]

Ships in the mist. Did this last night and this morning. A3 size.
I like that, Turneresque in my eyes

Cheers Raven. Not keen on your subject, but the paintings excellent.

[thebish]

great set of images in the category - public art/campaigning..

looks like each was specifically made for the location...

http://radiosarajevo.ba/photo/galerija/7010

[Montreal Wanderer]

And the great Brian has now savaged her: http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/exhi ... 70816.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

*sigh*

You must realize, PB, that the role of the reviewer is not to encourage the public to view an exhibit or even to educate them. The reviewer reviews to demonstrate the fact that he is the world's greatest expert on the subject under review and thus far more knowledgeable that the expert curator. Reviewing is an exercise in self aggrandizement. I believe the poet Byron had some rather harsh words for the Scottish genus of reviewer in his time.

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

And the great Brian has now savaged her: http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/exhi ... 70816.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

*sigh*

You must realize, PB, that the role of the reviewer is not to encourage the public to view an exhibit or even to educate them. The reviewer reviews to demonstrate the fact that he is the world's greatest expert on the subject under review and thus far more knowledgeable that the expert curator. Reviewing is an exercise in self aggrandizement. I believe the poet Byron had some rather harsh words for the Scottish genus of reviewer in his time.

To be fair to Mr Sewell, he is right on all points of substance.

I asked Miss Blackshaw about the title of the exhibition on Tuesday, saying pretty much the same thing but much more politely, to be fair to her, she did say that she wanted to call the exhibition something to do with the 'Neu-Wiener' (new Viennese middle classes), but that the decision was out of her hands, and partly with the marketing bods.

He is also right about the needless diversions into death and gender politics - my response to this was to ignore them, but I can see why he didn't.

He is also so, so right on this:

The most unwise of these excursions is the exaltation as artist-genius, even comparing him with Van Gogh, of the composer Arnold Schönberg, 26 and penniless in 1900, his crass amateur paintings “untainted” by training, deliberately naive — a folly equalled only by our acceptance, a century later, of Paul McCartney as a painter.

[Montreal Wanderer]

And the great Brian has now savaged her: http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/exhi ... 70816.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

*sigh*

You must realize, PB, that the role of the reviewer is not to encourage the public to view an exhibit or even to educate them. The reviewer reviews to demonstrate the fact that he is the world's greatest expert on the subject under review and thus far more knowledgeable that the expert curator. Reviewing is an exercise in self aggrandizement. I believe the poet Byron had some rather harsh words for the Scottish genus of reviewer in his time.

To be fair to Mr Sewell, he is right on all points of substance.

I asked Miss Blackshaw about the title of the exhibition on Tuesday, saying pretty much the same thing but much more politely, to be fair to her, she did say that she wanted to call the exhibition something to do with the 'Neu-Wiener' (new Viennese middle classes), but that the decision was out of her hands, and partly with the marketing bods.

He is also right about the needless diversions into death and gender politics - my response to this was to ignore them, but I can see why he didn't.

He is also so, so right on this:

The most unwise of these excursions is the exaltation as artist-genius, even comparing him with Van Gogh, of the composer Arnold Schönberg, 26 and penniless in 1900, his crass amateur paintings “untainted” by training, deliberately naive — a folly equalled only by our acceptance, a century later, of Paul McCartney as a painter.

Schoenberg was a genius though perhaps not as an artist... did Ms. Blacksaw suggest he was an artist-genius, who was deliberately naive? It reminds of a movie a bit before your time where Tony Hancock is an artist of the 'child' school and George Saunders the art expert who criticizes his naive style. It is called "The Rebel" and should be required viewing for you.

Hancock plays a downtrodden London office clerk who gives up his office job to pursue full-time his vocation as an artist. Single mindedly, and with an enthusiasm far exceeding any artistic talent (his 'art' has a 'childlike' quality - to put it mildly), he sets to work on his masterpiece Aphrodite at the Waterhole, moving to Paris where he expects his genius will be appreciated. While his 'ideas' and persona gain acceptance (indeed plaudits) among the "beat" set, legitimate art critics, like Sir Charles Broward, (George Sanders) scoff at his work. He manages to achieve success, however, when the work of his former roommate, a genuinely talented painter, becomes confused with his own. The confusion is eventually resolved after a series of art exhibitions, and he returns, down but not out, to London, where he pursues his 'art' in defiance of whatever others may think of it.

The film consists of many scenes parodying modern art and poetry. The scene showing Hancock splashing paint onto a canvas and riding a bike over it, is quite reminiscent of Jackson Pollock's technique. The childlike paintings parody the naive style.

[Bruce Rioja]

I'd have substituted 'painter' or rather added to it with 'and musician' in relation to McCartney.

[Raven]

Ships in the mist. Did this last night and this morning. A3 size.
I like that, Turneresque in my eyes

Cheers Raven. Not keen on your subject, but the paintings excellent.

Well was stuck on a painting of a Lancaster and the art teacher said do something different, try a portrait or something from a fav film and that covered both slots Can't find a decent image from the US version of the film to go with it so who know's what is next

[TANGODANCER]

RavenWell was stuck on a painting of a Lancaster and the art teacher said do something different, try a portrait or something from a fav film and that covered both slots Can't find a decent image from the US version of the film to go with it so who know's what is next

Good to see you taking lessons. You can paint almost anything from your own photographs. This is a view I took from my brother's garden when he had a house in El Campello in Spain. Bashed it out last night whilst I'm in the my Jimmyangelo mood. Also added a bit of interest to the fog painting with the lamp. Having fun right now.

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

Congrats - sounds like a great job, done well... hope there is, indeed, a next time...

Good news - next time is in 10 days for this: http://www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery/e ... p?ID=14797" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TANGODANCER]

Using the Bish's excellent photo I had a bash at painting ye Old Cod and Lobster at Staithes.
( I've never actually been there)
I've gone as far as I want to go and taken a bit of liberty with the photo. I'm quite pleased with the result.

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

Have you had tuition, Tango?

[TANGODANCER]

Have you had tuition, Tango?

No, never Mummy. I could always draw at school and art was a favourite subject. Haven't painted anything for years. I have been looking at the painting lessons available on youtube lately which are a good guide.