Is that Art?
"Are we liking certain things because we know that other people are liking them?" asks Jerry Saltz* in a recent ARTnews. His line of questioning continues, "How is the market affecting the ways we see art? How does it affect the way curators and editors see art? Does the market create a competitive atmosphere that drives artists to produce better work, or does it foster empty product?"
Food for thought is what I offer in this post. Take a look around the square (and beyond) and tell me what you think. Does Jackson represent a competitive market that drives artists to produce better work, or does this town simply house an empty, but marketable product? Where does art appreciation fit in our culture, both here in Jackson and on a larger scale? Maybe we're sheep following the lead of a mass-producible, out of the box, easy to digest, low calorie art market. We don't want to have to think about that 'stuff', but rather know that it's good or reputable and fits above the couch in the living room. And who is the shepherd? The many galleries around town trying to make a buck might be. What if it's simply a question of education, or lack there of...
The rambling could continue, but I must confess lunch is calling. I was told that my previous blog topic was merely a suggestion and needed some spicing up. My only response is here is another suggestion I guess, and bring on the chipotle!
*Jerry Saltz is the Senior Art Critic for the Village Voice and has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Criticism three times. He stopped through Jackson last fall to give a talk and check out the scene. He has yet to comment on the Jackson Art scene (as far as I know).