I’ve always cultivated a healthy “show me the merchandise” attitude towards people/bloggers who claim to be “artists”. Sure, some artworks can almost bring tears to my eyes, while other wannabes are only a legend in their own minds. Quite often there’s nothing but a thin line between a true budding artist and the online (yawn) dabbling of self-acclaimed blog stars, surrounding themselves with a dedicated but basically clueless “oh, that is amaaaazin” hardcore base of comment groupies who will cry “masterpiece!” at any triviality posted.
But it can get worse. CNews Canada reports that the much acclaimed Antwerp artist Jan Fabre “Spring is on its way” exhibit at Antwerp’s MuHKA museum of contemporary art is causing more than a stir, it’s actually emitting a real foul smell that makes paying visitors almost vomit on the spot. [Image Courtesy Antwerp modern art museum]
Quote: “ANTWERP, Belgium – Belgian conceptual artist Jan Fabre is creating another big stink in the art world. And more than a few museum-goers are expressing their distaste after touring Fabre’s “Spring is on its way” exhibit at Antwerp’s MuHKA museum of contemporary art. It consists of onions and potatoes hung from the ceiling in condoms and the vegetables are, well, spoiling.
Museum spokeswoman Kathleen Weyts defends the exhibit, saying that like many of his works, Fabre’s latest effort is “about transformation and metamorphosis.” But the local media reports that many visitors, not to mention museum guards, are protesting the smelly display, which has now become the talk of the town.”
So next time someone posts an “artwork”, make sure to smell the merchandise before you comment “great!” 
This blog is not affiliated with or endorsed by the city of Antwerp, Belgium.
Oh, so that’s where the odour of Antwerp comes from. I always assumed it was something else
[Blog author: "You have a valid point Manic: Antwerp harbor can be smelly at times, but I assume you're hinting at some inside joke only Belgians can understand
I do object to this expensive art exhibit though. If Jan Fabre wants to exhibit rotten garbage-with-a-trendy-name, let he be the one who picks up the bill. "]
Comment by Manictastic — November 8, 2008 @ 4:27 pm |
yuck! what the heck is wrong with that artist?
[Blog author: "He gets by on provocation without real talent Van, with several large museums and art-critics taking him seriously.
He even managed to exhibit in the very prestigious Louvre museum in Paris:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWaePOEtFgs
It's not the first time people have turned up their noses at Fabre's work. Eight years ago he got the same reaction in Ghent, Belgium, after covering some university pillars in ham. They started to decompose, causing a revolting smell.
Time to stop funding him with tax euros. ]
Comment by furiousball — November 8, 2008 @ 6:40 pm |
I have to be careful commenting on this post (I’m in disguise now). I know this art scene all too well-and plan to devote a post to it very soon. Suffice to say between the very expensive non-”fountain” in front of the Museum of Art and the pretension of totally publicly funded artists who usually get money by kissing the right asses and impressing other pretentious people-but not necessarily producing great art-I am thoroughly against the subsidy system in Belgium. If you’re serious about making art, you’ll find away to make a living and create at the same time.
[Blog author: "Jessica, it's always a pleasure finding a semi-neighbor who feels the same about the art subsidy system in Belgium: it's basically flawed and the amount of ass kissing is staggering. I'm not sure if you ever saw how much running the huge Antwerp MUHKA museum costs, but I gather the Antwerp homeless problem could be solved entirely by closing this subsidized temple of pretense. Thanks for commenting in disguise
"]
Comment by Jessica — November 8, 2008 @ 8:02 pm |