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News & ArtsThursday, April 16, 2009
Visual Art Jonathan Jones Says Some Confusing, and Provocative, Things
Posted by Jen Graves on Thu, Apr 16, 2009 at 9:50 AM
This is not all that unusual. Jones is an art critic for that amazing machine of cultural writing, thinking, and talking, The Guardian, and he often says something offputting and then something you nod your head vigorously at, one right after the other.
His latest whiplasher is about Banksy, the street artist he considered nominating for this year's Turner Prize—despite the fact that he hates Banksy.
This is the part that's weird.
Anyway, I believe in education. The reason I don't like street art is that it's not aesthetic, it's social. To celebrate it is to celebrate ignorance, aggression, all the things our society excels at.
Art should not be social, but should be educational? How would such a thing even work? His next statement suggests his real problem with street art: not that it's social, but that it's anti-social.
This is followed directly by something that makes perfect sense.
For middle class people to find artistic excitement in something that scares old people on estates is a bit sick.
Well, yes. That is a bit sick. And but it seems to work pretty much just like that anyway. People love Banksy because they don't see him as somebody who's mediated by a middle man: an old person on an estate funding a museum, or a slick dealer, or the fawning press. Great street artists are risking something in order to communicate more directly.
So it's a good thing for Banksy that Jonathan Jones didn't nominate him for a Turner Prize. After all the media love he's already gotten, Banksy needs a Turner Prize like a hole in the head.
1
Banksy also offers a commentary on the conditions that make frightened old people, and the people who frighten them, possible. He's far from the BEST artist around, but he's by far the cleverest and sharpest and most cutting. It's not just that he's unmediated; it's that he's physically attacking the mediation. No one is pushing those buttons like he is, or even acknowledging that they exist.
Compare his work to the fart stains that get painted on Seattle walls.
Compare his work to the fart stains that get painted on Seattle walls.
2
"For middle class people to find artistic excitement in something that scares old people on estates is a bit sick."
I think it's important to keep in mind that it works the other way around, too. Many old rich people are excited by things like opera that many lower- and middle-class people find intimidating. They feel that there is an etiquette and tradition (when to clap, what to wear, etc.) that they don't understand, and are worried they'll do something wrong. In general, they feel unwelcomed, like they don't belong.
I think it's important to keep in mind that it works the other way around, too. Many old rich people are excited by things like opera that many lower- and middle-class people find intimidating. They feel that there is an etiquette and tradition (when to clap, what to wear, etc.) that they don't understand, and are worried they'll do something wrong. In general, they feel unwelcomed, like they don't belong.
3
I'll agree that there are a lot of bad street artists in Seattle... But so does every city. We've also got some seriously amazing shit going on too... And you're not just born great. Every time you look at a crappy piece just remind yourself that the 16 year old kid who threw that up might be slanging some shit like Banksy or Shepard Fairey in 10 or 15 years. Putting up with the less than great street art now is an investment in the future :)
5
I believe that "estate" is British for "housing project". You read this as being "rick people in big houses are frightened by art". But it probably meant "elderly people in the projects are frightened by graffiti".
6
Also, that paragraph you quote doesn't say that art should be educational. It says that the author believes in education. Graffiti traditionally is the art form for those who have given up on the future, on ideas like bettering themselves and having a career. This is an editorial against embracing the symbols of hooliganism.
7
eclexia @5: Damned Britishisms! But even if Jones meant what you say, I think the point still stands that street art gets its power by richocheting off of somebody's fear/horror. Is it your view that Jones is saying that a fear of graffiti on the part of the elderly poor is justified? I'm not sure I'd support that. The point of street art is to discriminate between criminals, and this goes back to my original point: street artists are social criminals, not asocial criminals. Asocial behavior is to be feared, not anti-social behavior.
8
@7, huh? Have you had a look at some of these British housing estates? You bet your life people are afraid of anti-social behavior, and with good reason. Some of them are virtually run by criminal gangs, and most of the "street art" is not Banksy but criminal vandalism marking territory, and is EXPRESSLY DESIGNED to terrorize the inhabitants. That's what it's FOR.
Banksy doesn't paint housing estates, by the way. He paints middle-class shopping areas for the most part. He wants them to be seen by the media class.
Banksy doesn't paint housing estates, by the way. He paints middle-class shopping areas for the most part. He wants them to be seen by the media class.
9
Council estates you'd be terrified to go anywhere near:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dbo07/26508…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/herschell/2…
Yes, some people live in these buildings, here and there.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dbo07/26508…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/herschell/2…
Yes, some people live in these buildings, here and there.
13
I knew Blek Le Rat was a big influence on Banksy, so it's nice to see (in the picture) what's probably, in part, an homage.
14
Art should not be social?
Okay, first, define social?
Next, are you serious?
(Sometimes, art is "shoulds; sometimes, art is "is".)
Okay, first, define social?
Next, are you serious?
(Sometimes, art is "shoulds; sometimes, art is "is".)
15
@14: If your questions are directed at me, reread what I wrote. If your questions are directed at Jonathan Jones, as you were.
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