What is the point in modern art

Raymond Lin said:
The worst thing that can happen to a piece of art isn’t that you don’t like it, it is if everyone passes it by like it never existed. If it really did nothing then this thread won’t exist.
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But then is that the art or the galleries and people promoting it? Literally anything can be "art", give it some space in a gallery and it will be seen - see the previous example of some kid placing their glasses on the floor.

So long as such a venue is happy to put the art on display then you've fulfilled that requirement of people not ignoring it - though that requirement can been fulfilled regardless of anything to do with the piece of art itself. Whether that be some kids pulling a prank or some established/famous artist being given free reign to produce whatever he or she wants and people assigning value and meaning to it regardless.
 
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Looks like you found Raymond the hipster at these events :p
 
@dowie the glasses prank sprung to mind immediately! Just shows how people can easily be taken in by it all, perhaps they are genuine or perhaps because they feel it makes them look good/more intelligent showing an interest in artwork. There was an interesting challenge on the Apprentice this year where one of the candidates who had no idea about artwork was able to blag it and talk about artwork to potential customers at a show.
 
Well the problem is people won't just call an exhibit rubbish because it will cause offence and others will see them as some kind of rude simpleton, so everyone just plays along and calls everything amazing to appear smart and conform to the (flawed) concensus. It's basically like social media.
 
People into modern art probably look at computer forums and think "look at all those ghastly nerds obsessing over a 5% frame rate difference"
 
It's a reflection of humanity. Capable of greatness and also immense stupidity.

For me, modern art (as per the OP) is the latter. But it serves to illustrate that aspect of ourselves. We are the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I wouldn't visit as I have better things to do with my time. Like watch paint dry.
 
wesimmo said:
I struggle with that sort of thing too.

We've got the Baltic up here in Newcastle.
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Most of the exhibits in the Baltic are muck.

The only reason to visit is for the panorama of the Tyne from the upper levels, or to get out of the rain. The first time I visited one entire exhibit room was given over to about four shapes that resembled kids' soft play shapes; there was a semi circle vaguely reminiscent of the Tyne bridge, a tube propped up against it and a couple of others scattered a few metres away. Pointless, in my humble opinion. I'm all for modern 'art' that can demonstrate skill, creativity or visual appeal, but too much of it is baseless pretension.

The Baltic is a great, free space and - as a Geordie - it is an embodiment of the regeneration of the city over the last two decades, but I wish it was put to better use.
 
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Galleries get grants and rich patrons spend colossal amounts of money on piles of bricks and old tyres. Which feeds the cycle. As long as someone with authority states its "Art" then its fine. If I stick my old bed complete with dirty sheets in a gallery no-one will pay a penny to view it but if I can find someone to declare "its art" then obviously I'm quids in. The last part is the tricky bit.

d_brennen said:
People into modern art probably look at computer forums and think "look at all those ghastly nerds obsessing over a 5% frame rate difference"
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They'd have a point though.
 
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