« Let's eat Soybean | Main | Who is Yong Sama?! »

Wednesday, December 01, 2004

Comments

Charles

Well, that's what pomo is all about, it's one long argument about what's "valid" and "invalid" to do as art. And nothing is more short-lived than a pomo movement, you can pretty well tell when it's passe when it starts appearing on shopping bags and other commercial graphics. Anyway, just be really glad you never had to take actual art history classes about pomo theory, like I did.

robert

actually, reading this today, I see I sound almost petulant, but the fact is, I was rapidly drifting to beddy bye land when I wrote the above.. what I would like to say Charles (if you actually check back here) is that I will be the first to admit knowing nothing about art. Which is ironic considering I'm an artist, but I have taught myself and so I missed all the art history I might have received had I attended some noble institution. My perception of the Superflat movement seemed to me at least, more than reactionary. It seemed to be a statement of how traditional values can become stale without a sideways glance now and again. It seemed that wry irony that makes fun of its own seriousness. Sort of like saying "this is art, but dont get attached to that concept." It opened the door for alot of innovation, and alot of poseurs some might argue.I also thought it innovative that they used mass marketing strategies to "spread the word"..that is, share the concept on a global level and take it out of the realm of the elite, without disillusioning anyone about the value of their work.It transcended the cultural boundaries it addressed. I'm sure the shock value has worn off after a few years, of course, as trends often go. But I dont think it would be fair to say it was a passe movement any more than I would say the renaissance was passe, no matter how many versions of the mona lisa I see. I think it had a valid point, at least from my perception of it and I guess that's all that really matters..to me at least. ;)

robert

:) that's me. passe and unlearned. ;) I still like Murakami & Nara.. yes, I agree I have alot to learn about postmodernism, among other things my friend, I guess I was just generalizing and waxing speculatively albeit incoherently.. I'll blame it on the messed up sleep schedule lately. ;p

Charles

You have a lot to learn about Postmodernism, Robert. The Superflats were a reaction to the stereotypical flatness of pomo painting. But it doesn't matter because the Superflats are passe already.

robert

It is reminiscent of the Superflat movement. Sort of a direct reaction to a cultural standard set by outside influences. It seems every culture has an ideal, but the perception runs into trouble when we look to an outside source for a template. The result invariably is fabricated, and consequently plastic and not at all reflective of flawed organic thinking. So these types of tongue-in-cheek stereotypes are like markers, illustrating the irony and the uselessness of stereotypes. :) personally.. I find those "surprise" mannequins creepy..surprise in such a prolonged state creates images of the mentally disturbed.. but that's probably just me freaking myself out..of course clowns are scary too. :) I'll have to check out those videos..social commentary is always fun. ;)

Charles

Hmm.. this seems like a common theme. A long time ago, I posted a video about Rika-chan on my blog, a famous photographer had an exhibit of fashion photos starring the little plastic doll set in real-life scenes.

The comments to this entry are closed.

Become a Fan