There’s an old line about protesting (can’t remember the source) that goes something like: Q: Why are all the protesters you see on TV always liberals? A: Because all the conservatives have jobs!
I like to think it’s also because none of them can make puppets…but I digress…
If extreme rightists were to suddenly take up the leftists’ habit of protesting at the drop of a hat, next week in New York might present a golden opportunity, as the entire advant-garde art world descends upon the Big Apple for an intense showcasing of NEA-ineligible works in three main venues:
2004 Whitney Biennial Exhibition (the show the art world loves to hate). Considered the premier showcase for what’s important in American art now, it never fails to send critics racing to their thesaursus for new ways to say “appalling.” It’s as political as the Academy Awards, and the dresses at the opening are usually just as hideous, but it’s a must-see for anyone who’s interested in contemporary art.
The Armory Show is just as important but slightly less pretentious in that all the work here is obviously for sale (as opposed to the Whitney, where the emphasis is not on selling…or so they’d have you believe). Having evolved from the now legendary Gramercy Hotel Art Fair, the Armory Show offers the best one-stop-shopping of emerging and mid-career artists this side of the Atlantic. With 175 international galleries, it’s also a good bellwether of what will be considered important in art around the world (as opposed to the Whitney which focusses on American art only).
Waiting for the even more adventurous is the Scope Art Fair, a hotel art fair in the Meat Packing District, which presents over 70 galleries from around the world that range from cutting edge to “bleeding” edge. My gallery is not participating in either of these fairs this year (just so you don’t think this is some sort of shameless self-promotion), but has in the past.
This year I’m looking forward to participating as a viewer/party-goer…and to making fun of the protesters’ puppets….
Why would you want to protest, a private affair?
Also because protesting is something for generally silly people who are more interested in emotional venting than in enacting any sort of constructive change. If you live in an open society which allows freedom of speech and assembly, you generally have more constructive avenues for social or policy change but they may not be as emotionally satisfying as chanting and waiving signs.
If you must force the issue, Timmy, I imagine because The Whitney received an NEA grant in 2003…I don’t know…it was a simply a device…
Also because protesting is something for generally silly people who are more interested in emotional venting than in enacting any sort of constructive change.
I’ll be sure and mention that to the pro-life protesters next time they’re in Washington.
You really reach for these sometimes, don’t ya Thorley?
A NEA Grant in 03 would have no impact on a biennial event in 04.
Edward, while there are conservatives who occassionally strap on bombs, they are usually religious conservatives of a certain persuasion.
Oh dear God…they got one in 2002, 2001, and 2000.
If you’re trying to argue extreme right wing folks don’t protest, I’ve beaten you to it. If you’re trying to argue there’s nothing controversial about the Whitney Biennial, an entire army of critics is waiting to disagree…if you’re just trying to be obstinate, you’re succeeding quite well.
Really, how so?
Eddie, I will assume those critics are art critics, no? 🙂
Eddie, I will assume those critics are art critics, no?
you got me…
You write all the art stuff you like, Edward: indeed, I’ve added a category for all that sort of thing. 🙂
Edward,
How about some shameless self-promotion? Where’s your gallery? If you can’t promote yourself on the internet, where can you?