Quote:
Originally posted by Diane_Keaton
No question the working class may "get it"; it's the arrogant presumption that it will have some great effect on them that bothers me.
Dumbing down a display of orange drapes? Anyway, dumbing something down makes it sound like it's urgent that people "get" the actual "message" of the project which, in my book, makes certain presumptions that are questionable.
Nope. The commentary that goes with the art is patronizing and/or the expectations about how the art could or will transform or change things.
I would think offense would depend on on who is telling him he needs art in his life, and if the person is telling him what kind of art he needs. And not to be even more of a bitch here, but I think the language we use about art can alienate a working stiff. I say Cristo and in turn, you refer to him as "The Cristo" (you say potato; I say potodo). That alone could turn a working stiff off. I would doubt you are pretentious -- but I know some Manhattanites that are and it comes out in their language.
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Who cares about the difference between what the poor and the rich think about public art displays?
It's art. Some folks take certain things from it; some take others. What they take is colored by their background. Whatever.
I think most of the industrial displays around the cities look like shit because there's only so much you can do with huge sculptures or murals. Its too big to have a really cool personal impact. However, that "Implosion" piece RT posted was pretty cool. But again, you won't see that on a corner in Philly.
