Abstract Art - why talk about it if you don't get it.

[i-need-a-martini]

I volunteer at a regional gallery and get to meet some wonderful, weird and wacky people.

But the ones that get up my goat are the ones who say "That looks like something a 5 year old would do." and expect me to agree with them.

And whilst we have a lot of community exhibitions that are amateurish enough (so perhaps the comment may be fair enough), the comment is usually reserved for iconic artists in major travelling exhibitions who are extremely well known.

Does anyone here like abstract art? And if you really hate it, why?

[j*oono]

Well this is  nice little turn for the books, isn't it.

Personally I would feel the same as Martini.  Anyone who uses the old cliche  "That looks like something a 5 year old would do" to be quite closed mind and dismissive.  

Talk about lack of imagination or intellect. What about interesting but not my style, or I don't quite understand what the artist was trying to interpret, or anything!  Not the old  "That looks like something a 5 year old would do."

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

too true j*oono

deflect without using intellect

edit for spelling

[poddster]

I tend to agree with you J, some "art" being attributed to the level of 5 year olds is an insult to 5 year olds.

[gleee58]

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@j*oono wrote:

Well this is  nice little turn for the books, isn't it.

Personally I would feel the same as Martini.  Anyone who uses the old cliche  "That looks like something a 5 year old would do" to be quite closed mind and dismissive.  

Talk about lack of imagination or intellect. What about interesting but not my style, or I don't quite understand what the artist was trying to interpret, or anything!  Not the old  "That looks like something a 5 year old would do."

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Neither is Blue Poles the work of a 5 year old, or even a group of 5 year olds.  Although it's not to everyone's taste it is interesting and quite remarkable to view at close range.  So many paintings are very different than photos would indicate.

[j*oono]

This is 5 year old art.  Yes I did have it hanging on the wall.  Something only a mother could love 😄

[Anonymous]

perhaps a volunteer guide is not the type

of job for you either  

i didn't think volunteer guide training included:

No offense all but please stay away from me on a Saturday morning lol. Or at least keep your opinions to yourselves. Because saying out loud "this could be done by a 5 year old" whilst standing in front of a Fred Williams or Brett Whitely makes you look like a fool.

[gleee58]

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@j*oono wrote:

This is 5 year old art.  Yes I did have it hanging on the wall.  Something only a mother could love 😄

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Blue Poles is massive.  I doubt 5 year olds would be have the reach to cover the 2.1X4.9M canvas.

[j*oono]

I know, I saw the earlier photo.  I had no idea it was so massive.  Just imagine working on that.

[j*oono]

Actually, now I can't remember whether the photo was posted here or else I googled it.

[Anonymous]

Blue Poles is massive.  I doubt 5 year olds would be have the reach to cover the 2.1X4.9M canvas.

how tall do you think jackson pollock was?