Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Shanken 45-54 post #2

On page 47, the book mentions artwork that has been commissioned by businesses and how some of those artworks have been important in the art world.

Reading that makes me think of some of the seemingly-soulless artworks that are made for corporate business. I’m thinking of the bland sculptures which are supposed to convey messages such as “synergy” and “efficiency” or the abstract artwork that seems to have no profound impact that is plastered on the walls.
Artworks like that confuse me, because I can’t understand how there can be some commissioned pieces that can be so profound where so many are barely even art. The difference would be the parameters of the commission, obviously a business seeking a large globe to go on their front lawn isn’t going to hire somebody to paint their entire building bright orange for a social commentary.

However it makes me feel like businesses should be more honest about what they want.
They don’t want art, they want a politically correct, neutral, and somewhat aesthetically pleasing piece of metal to ignore on the way into their buildings. They seem to me to just be a P.R. movement, to be able to claim that a company supports artists.


-Thomas

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