Our opinion/Anti-art, Post-modem art, and art for art’s sake

Editorial | October 15th, 2015

The most recent issue of Juxtapoz (an art and culture magazine) featured an exclusive interview with Banksy, Banksy is a UK based street artist who has reached world-wide notoriety with his satirical politically charged pieces and has somehow managed to keep his identity a secret in a media savvy world where nearly everyone has some kind of a recording device on hand at all times.

Banksy’s most recent endeavor was called Dismaland bemusement park, an exhibition he curated consisting of avant garde artists from around the world. It was a cynical take on Disneyland hence the name, which was intended to shock viewers with Banksy’s signature dark humor and social/political commentary, but he quickly found out, as he anonymously walked amongst onlookers that he was even more disappointed than his guests.

The irony of his faux security checkpoint was lost when a real security checkpoint preceded it. Plus the general public treated it as a sub par amusement park rather than an art exhibition..which seems to be the ultimate irony.

He described the majority of the work selected as “post-modem art”, meaning the featured artist's’ work was what he figured would have a high click potential meaning it would-or could be widely shared on social media.

In the media industry this is affectionately known as “click-bait” which is known to contain a fair degree of sensationalism. This is frowned upon in media circles but can be applauded in creative circles, then again, not everything needs a parallel. Regarding sensationalism within creative endeavors or matters of promotion, “you never know who will be in the crowd” is a phrase some of us have learned to live by.

Is “post-modem art” gimmicky or is it the new anti-art movement in a world where sites like Pinterest or Lost at E minor exist? These are outlets where we seek irony and/or inspiration to escape the daily grind, get lost and share with our friends on our smoke breaks.

How is social media and widespread sharing affecting the art world? How is it affecting our own cultural and regional identity? Are we expanding our horizons or creating a homogenized cultural landscape? Is a cynical editor ranting and raving about technology she doesn’t understand? More than likely she is.

Yes, it does make art more accessible it’s a way of expressing ideas and connecting with creatives half a world away. In fact it happened in this very office when Raul showed us a video of a taxidermied cat stretched over an RC helicopter body. We were shocked awed and so inclined to see who was responsible for the creation that we requested an interview and got a response in a matter of hours.

Art for art’s sake or even the concept of anti-art has been around longer than the Charleston. The Dada movement was founded in a small cabaret in Zurich Switzerland in 1916, here it spread to Berlin, Paris, New York, and so on and so forth.. With roots in existentialism, absurdity, and the game of chance. Dada was by no means limited to visual art it encapsulated literary movements, led to the dawn of “sound poems”, performance art and independent publishing endeavors. Who would have thought all that could stem from a bunch of socialists?

Maybe “Post-Modem” art is the first genuine art movement for the people. You don’t need to know the technicalities and have an extensive art vocabulary of glossary terms to know what moves you. Sometimes things just strike a chord ,make an impression, or just make you smile-or scowl for the hell of it.

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