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?

[gleee58]

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@janeababe wrote:

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@gleee58 wrote:

I fail to see why anyone should be instructed on what to like or dislike

Where did you get the idea that anyone said people need to be instructed on what to like or not to like?

The notion that the observer is either uneducated, unaware, foolish or stupid is insulting.


^^^^^  this has been implied over and over again all through this topic, by those who THINK they have far greater art apreciation skills than others.

SO drop the notion then.  

The extra information about art works can add a fascinating new dimension.  It's not complusory to listen to or read the guides, but does add to the experience.

EXACTLY!

 ...however, according to the OP, if you dont do your homework, and/or listen to the guides, then you may as well go and look at art in Ikea! (you know, the place all the uneducated, unaware, foolish or stupid people go to look at ART!)

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I think that is reading more into the OPs comments than was there.   Nothing of the sort has been implied over and over.

The OP talked about her frustration at hearing someone comment that a 5 year old could do the art in question.

She did it here instead of at the gallery, which is the right way to vent her frustration.

Why are so many getting their knickers in a knot and taking it so personally?

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

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@poddster wrote:

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@youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit wrote:

Still 

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Once you get over you fit of uncomfortable mirth you might like to address my post in a more traditional manner 🙂

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No, Im not uncomfortable- why would you even think that?

Still

[rabbitearbandicoot]

OK. Let's have a competition.

Take 2 five year olds. Put blue poles in front of one and Mona Lisa in front of the other. Ask them to copy their aloted paintings.

I'll guarantee the 'blue poles' one will be a better representation of the original than the 'Mona Lisa'.

[poddster]

Possibly even better than the original Blue Poles 🙂

[gleee58]

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@rabbitearbandicoot wrote:

OK. Let's have a competition.

Take 2 five year olds. Put blue poles in front of one and Mona Lisa in front of the other. Ask them to copy their aloted paintings.

I'll guarantee the 'blue poles' one will be a better representation of the original than the 'Mona Lisa'.

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Are you really 5 years old?

Enjoy the conversation. I'm outta here.

[Anonymous]

i'm curious - which particular pieces were the 

visitors perceiving  as something a child could

paint?  would be interesting to see what ppl 

here thought.

[pct001wine]

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@rabbitearbandicoot wrote:

OK. Let's have a competition.

Take 2 five year olds. Put blue poles in front of one and Mona Lisa in front of the other. Ask them to copy their aloted paintings.

I'll guarantee the 'blue poles' one will be a better representation of the original than the 'Mona Lisa'.

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Why ?   Pointless and irrelevant exercise.  If you can't see the merit in both paintings without resorting to suggesting meaningless tasks like the one above then maybe the works of Pollock and similar artists should remain a mystery to you.

[Anonymous]

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@pct001wine wrote:

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@rabbitearbandicoot wrote:

OK. Let's have a competition.

Take 2 five year olds. Put blue poles in front of one and Mona Lisa in front of the other. Ask them to copy their aloted paintings.

I'll guarantee the 'blue poles' one will be a better representation of the original than the 'Mona Lisa'.

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Why ?   Pointless and irrelevant exercise.  If you can't see the merit in both paintings without resorting to suggesting meaningless tasks like the one above then maybe the works of Pollock and similar artists should remain a mystery to you.

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how can you say its irrelevant?  

its the main issue in this thread. 

maybe a 5 year old could paint it.

[poddster]

I dearly would like to hear someone extol the merits of Blue Poles and the reasoning behind their extolling.

Any takers? 

[poddster]

Perhaps youcandoit might like to have a crack at it, after she recovers from her fit of laughter that is