This is one of the famous plate paintings that helped launch Julian Schnabel's interesting career. These were a big hit because they were different and unique. To the wealthy second-handers of the New York art scene, this is all that matters. People with too much money to spend and no ability to think for themselves made Schnabel a star, and he ran with it.
Most of his paintings are either portraits on smashed dishware, or blots of color such as this one:
Even though his work in this vein is more abstract and meaningless, it's at least more pleasing to look at. Instead of broken plates and stale colors, a few of his huge abstract paintings are actually bold, vibrant, and quite striking, especially given their size.
The problem is that he is only one of a million modern artists producing art in this fashion. The ease of just throwing some nice colors around attracts all kinds, unfortunately for Schnabel, who seems to be searching for something new to do which will be as celebrated as his more kitchen related work.
To give you a better idea of this guy, here is a nice little piece on him (resembling the Big Lebowski) by CBS:
Highlights of the video:
Oh, and one more thing:
To give you a better idea of this guy, here is a nice little piece on him (resembling the Big Lebowski) by CBS:
Highlights of the video:
- Schnabel painting purple squids on old maps
- his baby-like reaction when faced with the slightest inkling of negative criticism
- his avoidance of owning up to having an ego
It's funny that he would be so inspired by the Rembrandt painting. Well, not really that funny, that's what real art does. What's funny is how he thinks that random blots of paint can do the same thing, but as long as there are people out there who also think so, he'll have his fans.
Julian Schnabel's paintings, as meaningful art, are really pretty terrible across the board. The ones representational at all convey a disjointed, disintegrated view that is typical of modern intellectuals. No philosophy, no principles, just a grab bag of vague nihilistic ideas. His plate portraits, in their broken up mess and chaos, take a dim view of human individuality that I find offensive.
It's funny that he would be so inspired by the Rembrandt painting. Well, not really that funny, that's what real art does. What's funny is how he thinks that random blots of paint can do the same thing, but as long as there are people out there who also think so, he'll have his fans.
Julian Schnabel's paintings, as meaningful art, are really pretty terrible across the board. The ones representational at all convey a disjointed, disintegrated view that is typical of modern intellectuals. No philosophy, no principles, just a grab bag of vague nihilistic ideas. His plate portraits, in their broken up mess and chaos, take a dim view of human individuality that I find offensive.
As far as his abstract work, it may have some decorative value, but nothing else.
His films, however, including one on his fellow New York modern artist Basquiat, are all worth watching, and can be great at times. Not many directors can match his resume and its only a few films long at this point. My advice to him: spend less time vandalizing old navigational charts and more time making films.
His films, however, including one on his fellow New York modern artist Basquiat, are all worth watching, and can be great at times. Not many directors can match his resume and its only a few films long at this point. My advice to him: spend less time vandalizing old navigational charts and more time making films.
Oh, and one more thing:
how can you say all modern art is terrible? That is a huge ignorant generalization. There is a lot of terrible modern art, don't get me wrong, but there is a lot of incredible work too. Have you looked at the abstract works of Zao wou ki, aleta pippin, Richter? There incredible felt, lush, beautiful abstracts. I feel like I am 12 years old when I hear someone make a comment like "all modern art is terrible", you are just not educated or you just don't know enough artists. Abstraction can be phenomenally beautiful, you don't need to paint a figure to capture beauty- that is an outdated, childish and anthropocentric view of thinking, that I feel has led the world to be this constricted conservative atmosphere that it is. There is such beauty in all forms of art, in all periods, I feel badly that you can't see that. I am an abstract painter, and I have gone to art school by the way, and my aim is beauty, not concepts or arrogance.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame Theresa that while attending Art School you did not have occasion to study the Art of Language.
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