For the past two nights, I’ve been watching the American Masters Andy Warhol documentary that was on PBS a few weeks ago (kottke has some great links about film).
Watching the documentary is maddening. It’s a struggle I’ve always had with Warhol and a lot of pop art and modern art. I can’t tell if Warhol’s an artistic genius or just a genius bullshit artist. I’ve been listening to all these art critics and historians talk about his genius and the whole time I keep thinking “it’s a damn painting of a Coke bottle” or “it’s a six hour film of someone sleeping.”
Then I start to second-guess myself. Maybe I’m just not smart enough to ‘get it.’ Or maybe I’m thinking too hard about it and art should just be something you feel or understand on an emotional level.
But then I third-guess myself and think. . . aha! See that’s why he’s a genius because he conned you into thinking you’re stupid when really it’s all just a big con.
Is Warhol a genius because he did it first? Is that all it takes? They (the people in the movie) talk a lot about intent, and what he intended it to mean. But I have a sneaking suspicion that they are projecting importance on something in hindsight.
I’ve spent so much time the past two days thinking about this that my brain is begging for mercy.
The Artguy and I used to discuss ‘art’ all the time. And he too would always say that intent was part of the art-making process. Though I would always argue that perhaps that was too easy. Just because I intend something to be art, does that make it art? And does it matter if it’s bad? I mean there can be bad art, right?
I have to stop. I’m starting to drive myself a little crazy.
Regardless, the documentary and Warhol’s life is utterly fascinating.
I don’t get art. Not that it’s a bad thing but I just never “got” it. Some things I see and really like but most don’t do anything for me. I guess you either “get” it or you don’t and I never have. Which is a shame except that I save a lot of time standing in front of a canvass staring and wondering what the artist was thinking when he did this. And Warhol? Part crazy, part smart ass.
I don’t know if you have ever been to the warhol museum in pittsburgh, but it’s AWESOME.
Just the fact that you are thinking about him 20 years after he died, speaks for itself.
http://www.warhol.org/
I could not agree more with your entry on this subject and the previous poster’s comments on not “getting” art. My sister loves Warhol and I just don’t get why. I felt like I was too dumb too appreciate it’s depth or something. But I’ll support your theory of stirring us into confusion IS the genius of it all. Personally, I can’t enjoy something if I have to have it explained to me. And just because someone created something outside the box doesn’t mean it is art – it could very well be (and most of the time IS IMO) crap. My solution: nod, yes that is nice, move along.
he is an artist because all artists from each period are expressing the society of that time. if you think about it he was in the period where there was a start in commercial manipulation and instant success, and it was a raection against abstract expression. so hes painting exactly what it is, in order for the public to stop guessing what they supposed to be seeing. haha eish bra i dontknow if they makes sense but his damn banging!