Art thou Sm(art)?

Hello there and welcome back! It seems like we’re in the midst of some sort of record-setting writing performance here. This marks the third straight day that words have been taken and recorded in a combination and order never before seen with human eyes! Think about that! No one, and I mean not one person during the millions of years of existence has seen the words you’re reading right now, in this very order (well, with the exception of those few souls who visited this blog before you did).  I suppose by the same logic, every time you read something that is not plagiarized you can make the same claim with the same authenticity.  How many of you though, stop to think about it? 

I had this realization just today, and you might even say it floored me. Indeed, it floored me.  When you do stop and think about it, how many experiences in your life are truly unique? Is there anything you have done, (or even thought!) that hasn’t already been done (or thought!) by someone else?  In a way, it’s a little bit depressing, knowing that the path you’re on is most likely a well-worn one in the scope of humanity. 

I suppose that this makes a nice segue into a newfound, slightly improved appreciation for modern art.  I have tried to understand, and many have tried to explain, the appeal of modern art.  I have none of it, however.  I don’t think it takes much talent, and I believe art should require some sort of talent (at least the kind that makes the cut at MoMa, or the Met, or my living room), not simply access to materials and adhesive.  When modern art ‘speaks to me’ so to say, it very often says something along the lines of “Some sap threw this together, and THEN came up with a very deeply profound, soulful explanation for what he was trying to do”. To me, it rings hollow. Portrait painters will sit down in front of their subject with a concrete goal in mind; namely, to reproduce the likeness before them with some degree of recognizeability on the canvas. Rarely, I think, does the modern artist set about with a goal to express feeling [X], and then go about doing it to a similar degree of recognizeability.  Hogwash.

Though I will give it credit in the aforementioned regard; with every piece we are seeing something truly unique, no matter how bad it might be.  Perhaps this is the end goal, just to create something that has never been created; to allow people to see something that none of the preceding generations ever had the chance to see or to imagine.  In this regard, I think I now appreciate modern art slightly more, if only because it makes me think.

If you are an art expert, or brave enough to put forth any defense of modern art, please do so. I’m completely aware that I may be ignorant of a massive aspect that could change the way I think entirely. If so, do not hold back!

On that note, I bid thee adieu until next time,

Ian