Possession runs a very fine line, especially in the art world. In the past, works could easily be forgotten or forged. While some pieces rose to fame, others fell short of standards. But now, once art is out in the world, there's no way to get it back. As possession of art is questioned, so is what qualifies as art. These articles from this quarter share a theme of questioning in what it means to own a piece of art and they provide a look into the growth modern art has experienced in the world.
All three of the readings are centered around the idea of ownership and what this entails. The first article, Whistler v Ruskin, involves the idea of critics role in ownership. Once a piece is out for the public, I feel that it is owned by the public. This allows critics to also take a view whether it be kind or cruel. Ruskin made harsh claims against Whistler and his work stating, "never expected to hear a coxcomb ask two hundred guineas for flinging a pot of paint in the public's face."(Artist v Critics, 3) While the critic is allowed to own opinions over art, the artist still has some possession over their work, unless they choose not to. Gilbert Stuart is believed by many to be the artist of the iconic unfinished Washington painting. However, others like Marvin Sadik believe the painting is too "dead"(Stretch, 1) to be by Stuart. Stuart also himself stated “I did not paint it, but I bargained for it." (Stretch, 2) disavowing the work, but this does not mean that he has no right over it. Stuart as the painter has possession over what was painted, but no longer owns the piece as an artwork in general. The artwork in general now belongs to the White House Conservatory as well as those in possession of $1 bills.
While allowing a view into ownership, the article show an interesting perspective on art now as well as art in the past. The first article had high tensions concerning modern art. "It is not that Ruskin disliked Whistler's ... image of sparks cascading through the night air over the Thames .... he failed, or refused, to recognize it as art." (Artist v Critics, 2) Ruskin did not see modern art as art due to the lack of precision and distinct, distinguishable objects. Whistler was experimenting with "art that called into question every assumption about visual experience, about the relationship of truth and beauty." (Artist v Critics, 3) While modern art was not accepted then, in the 21st century it is the talk of the town. The third article, The Chinese Art Explosion, was about the "craze for Chinese contemporary art." ( Pollack, 1) Modern art is the new it thing in China and in the western world right now. A great sign of the acceptance of modern art is the change it has with gone in price with " paintings that once sold for under $50,000 now bringing sums above $1 million." (Pollack, 1) Everyone from collectors, to galleries, to auction houses have become invested in the modern art track taking place is a recently historically based China.
Art is all about perspective. When you look at the current view of the world, modern art's rise is clear to see all around our architecture and museums. And while modern art has moved from Ruskin's time into a area of acceptance, ownership over art is still in questioning. I believe art belong to the artist, critics, and the public. Artists own the ideas, critics the opinions, and the public owns the physical.
All three of the readings are centered around the idea of ownership and what this entails. The first article, Whistler v Ruskin, involves the idea of critics role in ownership. Once a piece is out for the public, I feel that it is owned by the public. This allows critics to also take a view whether it be kind or cruel. Ruskin made harsh claims against Whistler and his work stating, "never expected to hear a coxcomb ask two hundred guineas for flinging a pot of paint in the public's face."(Artist v Critics, 3) While the critic is allowed to own opinions over art, the artist still has some possession over their work, unless they choose not to. Gilbert Stuart is believed by many to be the artist of the iconic unfinished Washington painting. However, others like Marvin Sadik believe the painting is too "dead"(Stretch, 1) to be by Stuart. Stuart also himself stated “I did not paint it, but I bargained for it." (Stretch, 2) disavowing the work, but this does not mean that he has no right over it. Stuart as the painter has possession over what was painted, but no longer owns the piece as an artwork in general. The artwork in general now belongs to the White House Conservatory as well as those in possession of $1 bills.
While allowing a view into ownership, the article show an interesting perspective on art now as well as art in the past. The first article had high tensions concerning modern art. "It is not that Ruskin disliked Whistler's ... image of sparks cascading through the night air over the Thames .... he failed, or refused, to recognize it as art." (Artist v Critics, 2) Ruskin did not see modern art as art due to the lack of precision and distinct, distinguishable objects. Whistler was experimenting with "art that called into question every assumption about visual experience, about the relationship of truth and beauty." (Artist v Critics, 3) While modern art was not accepted then, in the 21st century it is the talk of the town. The third article, The Chinese Art Explosion, was about the "craze for Chinese contemporary art." ( Pollack, 1) Modern art is the new it thing in China and in the western world right now. A great sign of the acceptance of modern art is the change it has with gone in price with " paintings that once sold for under $50,000 now bringing sums above $1 million." (Pollack, 1) Everyone from collectors, to galleries, to auction houses have become invested in the modern art track taking place is a recently historically based China.
Art is all about perspective. When you look at the current view of the world, modern art's rise is clear to see all around our architecture and museums. And while modern art has moved from Ruskin's time into a area of acceptance, ownership over art is still in questioning. I believe art belong to the artist, critics, and the public. Artists own the ideas, critics the opinions, and the public owns the physical.