One of the coolest things about art is how overwhelmingly subjective it all is. Sure, as a society—and more so in smaller cultural bubbles—we can come to some general agreements about the worth or relevance of art based on a standard set of markers. The occasional, universally-lauded work does slip into the mainstream radar, true. However, many of us, when we're deeply waxing about a piece of art with gusto and animated hand gestures? We are so completely and thoroughly making it up as we go along. Should someone we respect or trust or suspect is important tell us a specific piece is important, well, we don't wanna look dumb. That kind of chest-puffing is likely what persuaded these people to pull the ultimate art snobbery test when they endeavored to find out how people would react to a simple, cheap IKEA print when it set up in an established gallery?
Responses were varied, of course, but all-in-all, the feedback the print garnered largely resembled praise. Watching the mostly older crowd of art aficionados lean closer, scrunch up their noses, and offer an "expert" analysis of the piece is too good. Did any of y'all ever take studio art classes in school? Honestly some of the evaluations here smack way similar to my experience in college course critiques—everyone straining necks and using words they're not sure how to pronounce in an attempt to come off as "with it." Here are a few of my favorite remarks about the IKEA print, peddled as "the famous Swedish artist Ike Andrews":
Familiarity
I'm definitely guilty of the pseudo-familiarity defense when a person brings up an artist or film or something I actually do not know at all. Good to know that bad habit probably won't fade with age.
Crazy artist?
That is a dark hunch, but not necessarily cancelled out by the fact the piece was actually commissioned by a lifestyle brand powerhouse.
A nod to the past
I'm seriously going to start saying this every gallery visit from now on because, really, doesn't everything include some sort of hint of nostalgia? In some way, a past is always present, plus this sounds deep as hell. I call dibs on this phrase.
Hopeless enchantment
It sure is, sir.
I especially dig how good-humored everyone is by this humbling exercise at the end. Art is rad and necessary and I'll fight those truths until my last breath, but boy, does it facilitate some pretentiously cringe-worthy moments.
Images: lifehunterstv/YouTube (5)
