Art is Bullshit

Acrylics on Canvas Board, 35.56x27.94x0.64 cm; 0.19 kg

14x11x0.25 (flat) in; 6.64 oz

Art is Bullshit

I think a more apt title for this would be “Art CAN BE Bullshit,” but most people like shorter titles and don’t like nuance. 

Take this piece for example. Something that, depending on the beholder could argue looks kind of cool, but is overall one-dimensional; even if it feels like there is some flow to it. Very little depth, with a mediocre color pallet and some random shapes. Probably not much thought went into this one. If I wanted something like this to hang in my house, I’d pay about $20 for it. 

But that’s the beautiful absurdity of the world we live in. Art prices are dictated by, as far as I am aware, human beings. And humans are illogical, irrational, and reactive. I think it’s hilarious that the cost of an overly decorated Easter egg can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Or some of the Mad Hatter crock-pottery that happens over at Sotheby’s, an art auction in New York. Like that blue painting with the white line down the middle that sold for over $40 million. I don’t care how much meaning you put into the piece, or how much you can get out of it, that is a disgustingly absurd amount to pay for a painting. 

And no offense, but Rothko already cornered the market on big sad meaningful rectangles that evoke emotion. An artist and art that, while I can’t really explain it, I both like and kind of feel like I “get” on a subconscious level. Maybe it’s the colors. Maybe it’s because I can identify with Rothko’s disdain for the art establishment. Maybe it’s because he didn’t title his paintings, not wanting to detract from the optimum experience someone could take away by imbuing their own thoughts and getting out of it what they need in that moment. Maybe it’s Maybelline. 

But that’s why this piece is in this section and listed at its current price. Because if someone else can assign ridiculous prices to art, why can’t I? Do I expect it to sell? Probably not at first. And an eventual sale would depend on a lot of factors like how well known I become, or how early I die. But who knows? Maybe someday this piece (or any in this section) will be sold for tens of thousands of dollars at auction. They’ll call this one a “painting from his early years,” and if I’m still around when the gavel bangs you best believe I’ll be laughing loudest.