The (annoying) people who "get" modern art

FoxEye · 17 Jul 2016 at 20:52

I made the mistake of flicking over to BBC news 24, again (should know better!). They were running one of their awful magazine shows, this one about some "artist" in the states.

The "art" installation was a concrete rectangle in a field of grass. They interviewed some people who'd driven for five hours or something to go see it.

I'm sorry, but what? What kind of mindset do you need to have to interpret a concrete rectangle - about the size of a shipping container - sitting in a field, as art?

Seriously, anybody who classifies this is a work of art, I have no interest in anything that person has to say. Because either they are incredibly gullible, or enjoy being told what to think, or they are deliberately deluding themselves. Either way, if someone thinks a concrete rectangle is art, I have no time for that person (I'm awful, I know).

It's a freakin' field of grass, with a concrete rectangle. How can anyone see it as anything other than a complete waste of time (and concrete!).

Why do people enjoy this kind of thing? Help me, I don't understand.

Nitefly · 17 Jul 2016 at 20:56

I agree that a lot of modern art is a bag o'-w, but sometimes it's just something for you to reflect on.

I have no idea what the unmade bed was actually supposed to be about, but on reflection I thought it was a statement of modern life. We live such chaotic lives we often don't even find time to clear our rooms. Just a bit like a messy desk is an indication of someone's mind at work a messy bedroom is an indication of someone's life / thought process in a way... a lack of control.

Or something

Safetytrousers · 17 Jul 2016 at 20:58

Without having seen any image of it, it's difficult to make any judgment about it.

NoobCannon · 17 Jul 2016 at 20:59

Prov same people who play that pokemon rubbish?

lafemmefatale · 17 Jul 2016 at 21:03

"Help me understand!"

"But I have no time for those people or anything they have to say"

Make your mind up, you either genuinely want to understand, or you're going to instantly dismiss anything anyone says who appreciates art such as this.

Which is it?

SquirrelMadness · 17 Jul 2016 at 21:04

You do realise these people's brains are doing some insane pogo bouncing hoop hitting logic dodging break dancing mental acrobatics to help come to the conclusion these pieces of modern "art" are actually great? It's called overthinking.

adolf hamster · 17 Jul 2016 at 21:04

We have to give these people something safe to be idiots around.

The more modern art the less buffoons getting into actual hobbies and ruining it for the rest of us

FoxEye · 17 Jul 2016 at 21:05

lafemmefatale said:
"Help me understand!"

"But I have no time for those people or anything they have to say"

Make your mind up, you either genuinely want to understand, or you're going to instantly dismiss anything anyone says who appreciates art such as this.

Which is it?

You're right. I am incapable of understanding. Completely and totally incapable.

I can only see a concrete rectangle, not "art".

Darujhistan · 17 Jul 2016 at 21:06

FoxEye said:
I made the mistake of flicking over to BBC news 24, again (should know better!). They were running one of their awful magazine shows, this one about some "artist" in the states.

The "art" installation was a concrete rectangle in a field of grass. They interviewed some people who'd driven for five hours or something to go see it.

I'm sorry, but what? What kind of mindset do you need to have to interpret a concrete rectangle - about the size of a shipping container - sitting in a field, as art?

Seriously, anybody who classifies this is a work of art, I have no interest in anything that person has to say. Because either they are incredibly gullible, or enjoy being told what to think, or they are deliberately deluding themselves. Either way, if someone thinks a concrete rectangle is art, I have no time for that person (I'm awful, I know).

It's a freakin' field of grass, with a concrete rectangle. How can anyone see it as anything other than a complete waste of time (and concrete!).

Why do people enjoy this kind of thing? Help me, I don't understand.

edit:

On second thoughts, life's too short.

lafemmefatale · 17 Jul 2016 at 21:08

FoxEye said:
You're right. I am incapable of understanding. Completely and totally incapable.

I can only see a concrete rectangle, not "art".

Then that particular type of art isn't for you. Let those who appreciate it appreciate it while you forget about it and move on.

FoxEye · 17 Jul 2016 at 21:08

Darujhistan said:
Art is clearly not for you, so why even bother?

Adults are currently running around with their phones chasing things that don't actually exist, and then throwing balls that don't actually exist at them. But I suppose that's fine.

I'll take art thanks.

What makes you think I don't appreciate art?

The issue I have is with the classification of utter crap as "art".

Surely you have to set boundaries somewhere? Or can I grab a broken plastic chair, throw it onto a motorway, and call it an "art" installation?

FlamBango · 17 Jul 2016 at 21:08

FoxEye said:
What kind of mindset do you need to have to interpret a concrete rectangle - about the size of a shipping container - sitting in a field, as art?

An open one.

lafemmefatale · 17 Jul 2016 at 21:10

FlamBango said:
An open one.

You're asking a bit too much there methinks. :eek:

JBuk · 17 Jul 2016 at 21:11

Some modern pieces I can see as art but most I can see it for exactly what it is, rubbish

FoxEye · 17 Jul 2016 at 21:12

lafemmefatale said:
You're asking a bit too much there methinks.

Tell me then, what there is to appreciate in the example I gave.

How do you appreciate a concrete rectangle in a field?

What thoughts is it supposed to give me? Maybe you can help me understand, just a little bit...

What would *you* appreciate about that concrete rectangle?

PapaLazaru · 17 Jul 2016 at 21:13

An Oak Tree.

Google it, it's amazing.

JBuk · 17 Jul 2016 at 21:14

FoxEye said:
Tell me then, what there is to appreciate in the example I gave.

How do you appreciate a concrete rectangle in a field?

What thoughts is it supposed to give me? Maybe you can help me understand, just a little bit...

What would *you* appreciate about that concrete rectangle?

This is where anyone pretentious will come to the defence of modern art as you not being open, understanding or intelligent enough because they're far superior

lafemmefatale · 17 Jul 2016 at 21:16

FoxEye said:
Tell me then, what there is to appreciate in the example I gave.

How do you appreciate a concrete rectangle in a field?

What thoughts is it supposed to give me? Maybe you can help me understand, just a little bit...

What would *you* appreciate about that concrete rectangle?

Read your original post. You have no time for someone who would attempt to help you understand. Nor would you have any interest in what they have to say. You assume that that particular person who would try and help you understand just a little bit is deliberately delusional, incredibly gullible.

So if you don't mind, I'll pass thank you.

Darujhistan · 17 Jul 2016 at 21:17

FoxEye said:
What makes you think I don't appreciate art?

The issue I have is with the classification of utter crap as "art".

Surely you have to set boundaries somewhere? Or can I grab a broken plastic chair, throw it onto a motorway, and call it an "art" installation?

1. Your closed minded attitude.

2. You're not quite sure what you're irritated about, are you irritated that other people 'get it'? or that you don't? or that it exists?

3. Art is subjective, you've failed to grasp that.

4. Why do you have to set boundaries? (back to being closed minded again). Who is the arbiter of these boundaries going to be? If boundaries are set, how does anything new emerge?

All the you needed to do was decide rectangle in field was crap and move on.

Raymond Lin · 17 Jul 2016 at 21:19

Why would someone, say I, who you just called me annoying, want to help you when you openly say you have no time for it.

The entire thing is farcical.