0
Category

Expert’s advice

🎨The Major vs. Minor Art debate, or how to get into a fight with your old friends… 🤯

By Expert’s advice
08th may 2024, by Patrick DENNY, art advisor & art dealer

During a French TV show in 1986, when the presenter Bernard Pivot was singing praises of Serge Gainsbourg, the latter grumpily retorted that his songs were nothing but minor art

This immediately got Guy Béart (singer-songwriter and father of actress Emmanuelle Béart), who was present on the set, all worked up: for him, songwriting was necessarily major art since it could outlive its author!

Black Whole Conference – Installation by Michel de Broin in 2005

🕰️ An Age-Old Debate...

The debate is very old. For centuries, people have been trying to define major vs. minor art.

Before the Renaissance, the arts of knowledge (major) were distinguished from the arts of materials (minor). In other words, intellectual activities were differentiated from those of craftsmanship (applied arts).

Or put another way: concept vs. craftsmanship…

And this differentiation persisted until the mid-20th century:

• The major arts were therefore considered to be: painting, sculpture, architecture, engraving

• The minor arts were: jewelry, crystal work, goldsmithing, ceramics

In fact, during the industrial revolution, the Frecnh Academy distinguished “les Beaux Art”* in english Fine Arts (with capital letters) from decorative arts (in lowercase).

*to refer to major arts

🏙️ ...which Gets Murkier Over Time!

The boundary blurred a bit with the emergence of new materials in major arts.

Also with the system of reproducing works. For example, Andy Warhol extensively used lithography to reproduce works in multiple copies even though, by definition, a major art piece should be unique! But one could argue that a numbered lithograph is closer to an artwork “in its conception” than to a manufacturing craft.

Some movements of the 20th century even attempted to merge the two arts, outright disregarding the idea of clearly delineating them.

This was the case with Russian Constructivism (1917), which merged with the Bauhaus of Weimar & Gropius (1919) and later with the Memphis movement in 1980. These three movements shared a common goal of conceptual and aesthetic research applied to everyday consumer products.

 

 

Russian Constructivism: advertisement for the Knigi publishing house, based on the portrait of Lili Brik, by Alexandre Rodtchenko, 1924
The Bauhaus school launched a powerful movement that was to change the course of art history, considerably influencing graphic design, architecture and interior and furniture design.
Memphis Movement: A collection of “anti-design” furniture from 1980

🎮 Today, Everything is Art!

There are currently 10 categories of art, from painting to comics, through photography or fashion, and even video games:

In November 2012, the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA) decided to include 14 video games in its collection of artworks. Similarly, since 2011, the Supreme Court of the United States officially recognizes video games as an art…

The classification of art has become chaotic, in the sense that chaos is the expression of what is undifferentiated and without hierarchy. One could notice the paradox if one were interested in the etymological origin of the word “hierarchy”, which in Greek hieros means “sacred” and archie means “command”.

Indeed, the major arts have long dealt with religious subjects, therefore sacred, and the Church would not have appreciated if a Botticelli virgin was called minor art, so there was a certain sense in “hierarchizing”!

🔍 It is therefore up to each individual to specify their own definition

Emmanuel Radnitsky, known as Man Ray (American painter, photographer, and filmmaker naturalized French), once said:

“A bad painter is and will always remain minor whereas a brilliant photographer can become a major representative of a trend or an era.”

So let those who enjoy it, replay the quarrel between the ancients and the moderns forever…

…and to the extreme, for some artists, there is not even a debate: everything would be good for the trash!

Serge Gainsbourg, whom I mentioned in the introduction for example. Did you know that he tried his hand at painting for decades? With a certain talent, it seems. And yet, like some major artists, he was never satisfied with his works to the point of almost destroying them all during his lifetime. And even when asked about his songs, he replied with disarming sincerity that he would only save 2 or 3 from the lot!

🔚 The Last Word

This reminds me of Alberto Giacometti who confessed just before he died that he had tirelessly created the same structure of his walking man, because he hadn’t finished with it and hadn’t achieved what he wanted.

Perhaps we are touching here on a definition of major art: creative doubt, creative demand, the search for creative perfection of an idea, humility.

This definition certainly has nothing academic about it, but I like it.

It’s up to you to write your own, with the eyes of a poet, whose Greek root means… creator!

Walking Man by Alberto Giacometti (Bronze, 1960)
My name is Patrick DENNY, art gallery owner and art collector. I demystify this fascinating universe for you and help you make the right choices!
#ContemporaryArt #LearnAboutArt #ArtAdvice

🎨 HOW TO CHOOSE AN ARTWORK? 🧐

By Expert’s advice
27th february 2024, by Patrick DENNY, art advisor & art dealer

Our consumer society has transformed the way we look at art to such an extent that a recent study by the famous auction house Drouot revealed our tendency to treat a work of art as a decorative element that should match the colours of our walls or the style of our furniture. In this way, a painting becomes a consumer good that we will tire of over time, just as we tire of clothes that we wear according to the fashions of the moment.

Yet the artist wanted to express something with his work. He didn’t create it with our home décor in mind. His approach is personal and authentic, and above all it speaks to our hearts.

💖 IS THE STORY OF YOUR ENCOUNTER WITH A WORK OF ART...

Buying a work of art is like starting a love affair. You need feelings, emotions and the desire to love.

And it all starts with an encounter, somewhere in an exhibition or gallery, and then the magic happens!

You risk changing your décor more than once in your life, moving house or changing the colour of your walls and furniture, whereas a work of art should be able to follow you all your life, guiding you, taking you on a journey, making your everyday life less monotonous and more inspiring. So choose a work of art for the emotion it evokes in you, not for its brilliance or style. If the emotion is genuine, the work will evolve with you and its symbolism will change over time, without ever boring you. In the longer term, you may even change your décor to reflect the paintings, photographs and sculptures that surround you.

“The real purpose of art is not to create beautiful objects: it is a method of thinking, a way of understanding the universe and finding one’s place in it”. – Paul Auster, American novelist

🕰️HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS WORK WILL STILL SPEAK TO ME 10, 20, 30 YEARS FROM NOW?

First, you need to ask yourself what emotion the work makes you feel. To answer this question, take the time to observe it, admire it, and understand its composition and subject matter. What did the artist want to express? Why this colour rather than another? What details add importance to the subject? Is the light soft, strong or contrasting? When you come face to face with the work, you’ll have the feeling that you’ve made it your own, since the symbolism that emerges will come solely from your eyes and the intimacy of your subjectivity.

Next, ask yourself whether the emotion you feel is linked to a memory, a person you care about, an event that has marked your life, a scar from the past, a subject that is close to your heart, a thread that speaks to you or is linked to other works that you already own.

If you are able to associate your emotions with something that is important to you, it goes without saying that the work will be able to live with you for a long time. Especially if you learn to develop a relationship with it, to look at it from every angle, to rediscover it as the seasons change and as your mood takes you. You might be surprised by the new details you discover over time, details that you’ll grow attached to.

💭 I'VE FOUND THE ARTIST I'M LOOKING FOR, BUT I CAN'T DECIDE WHICH WORK TO CHOOSE...

If you’ve fallen in love with one, you don’t even have to think about it: you can just go ahead and buy it.

If you have several favourites and you don’t know where to start? Go for a small format or an edition and see how this work transforms your everyday life. It will then be easier to choose a second, and then a third work, once you’ve experienced the world of an artist at your side.

💫 LISTEN TO YOUR INTUITION, EXPLORE YOUR ARTISTIC SOUL!

The more you observe the work of artists you like, the more you’ll learn to recognise what makes you tick, and therefore to get to know yourself. Appreciation of a work of art is very personal. Don’t choose a painting just to impress your guests! Surround yourself with what makes you dream! This will make the interior of your home more authentic and unique, just like you.

Finally, understanding a work of art is a long process that could take several years. In fact, it could take a lifetime. You’ll grow older, you’ll change, and so will the way you look at the things around you. Your relationship with your painting or sculpture will evolve just as much, and that’s the magic of art!

The end!

My name is Patrick DENNY, and I've been a gallery owner and art collector for over 20 years. I'd like to share my knowledge with you to demystify this fascinating world and, above all, help you make the right choices!
#ContemporaryArt #DiscoverArt #Artadvisory #InvestInArt

🎨10 stereotypes about Contemporary Art💡

By Expert’s advice
20th february 2024, by Patrick DENNY, art advisor & art dealer

“Contemporary art is for the wealthy,” “A 5-year-old could do that”… Who hasn’t encountered these clichés during a visit to an exhibition or museum? I must admit, I had the same reactions before delving deeper into this universe. Here are 10 misconceptions about contemporary art that you’ll soon be able to dismiss with a flick of the wrist…

STEREOTYPE N°1: CONTEMPORARY ART = I LOVE IT or I HATE IT! 🎭

Well, isn’t it reduced to just one type then?

If there’s one undeniable characteristic of contemporary art, it’s its diversity and its impossibility to be uniformly defined.

Saying “I don’t like contemporary art” would imply knowing ALL its facets, which is simply impossible given the multitude of works, styles, and movements that coexist. Furthermore, tastes evolve over time, promising delightful surprises!

STEREOTYPE N°2: WAIT A MINUTE, I CAN DO THAT TOO! 💡

This misconception is undoubtedly one of the most widespread concerning contemporary art.

However, it often forgets that behind every work is an artist, a labor, a carefully considered artistic approach. So, invite these sceptics to approach the works, to read the accompanying labels, to browse exhibition catalogs, and to learn about the artist.

If they persist in their belief that they can do just as well, or even better, encourage them to give it a try! Who knows, there may be an artist lurking within them?

STEREOTYPE N°3: CONTEMPORARY ART, A RICH MAN'S GAME! 💰💰💰

Let’s be honest, if you’re looking for a work by Andy Warhol or Jeff Koons, you’ll probably have to break the bank.

However, it’s important to note that “contemporary” art also encompasses emerging artists, which means more accessible prices!

There are so many talented artists, few or not yet known, who offer their works starting from a few hundred euros for editions. We offer them too!

STEREOTYPE N°4: CONTEMPORARY ART, IT'S ALL ABOUT SNOBS... 💖

Believing that contemporary art is reserved for snobs is an illusion. Certainly, “snobbish” people are interested in art, and certainly art can be perceived as primarily accessible to a social and intellectual elite. However, art is much more than that!

By its very essence, it is universal and indefinable, touching all social classes, crossing epochs and cultures.

There’s something for everyone and for every taste. If you still hear that art is reserved for snobs, invite these sceptics to explore galleries and museums. That will make one less snobby visitor!

STEREOTYPE N°5: AND THIS, IS SUPPOSED TO BE BEAUTIFUL? 🌟

This question instantly takes us back to our old philosophy classes. If a work doesn’t seem beautiful to us, it’s simply because it doesn’t touch us, and we’re not receptive to it.

But that’s not a big deal! Beauty is, by its very essence, relative and subjective.

If a work doesn’t appeal to us, we just need to move on and explore what other artists have to offer. In fact, it’s even gratifying to see that not everyone appreciates the same things, because it saves us from relentlessly fighting to acquire them.

Diversity is a beautiful thing!

STEREOTYPE N°6: I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT, IT'S NOT FOR ME! 🤔

Many wrongly believe that you need a certain expertise to understand contemporary art.

However, unlike learning a language which requires a thorough study to master its subtleties, the language of art appeals, more than any other domain, to emotion.

Your eyes, your emotions, your thoughts, and your memory are all elements that will be stimulated by a work of art.

It will touch you even more as it doesn’t deliver a clear and official message, allowing your sensitivity to appropriate the work. In short, art is accessible to all, regardless of the level of prior knowledge.

Idée reçue N°7 : Ce qui marche c’est la provoc’ !

Mais que signifie exactement “ce qui marche” ?

Si l’on parle du marché de l’art, ce n’est pas tout à fait vrai.

De nombreuses œuvres qualifiées de “provocantes” ne trouveront pas preneurs, car considérées comme trop choquantes ou excessives.

En revanche, d’un point de vue de l’histoire de l’art, ce n’est pas totalement faux. Ce qui pouvait être perçu comme de la provocation à une certaine époque, comme les œuvres de Caravage ou de Manet, nous paraît aujourd’hui tout à fait acceptable.

Bousculer et repousser les limites fait aussi partie du rôle des artistes.

STEREOTYPE N°8: IT'S ALL ABOUT MONEY! 💰

It’s undeniable that money plays a predominant role in our society.

The price of a work is often determined by factors that may seem superficial, such as the network and influence of the artist and his gallery owner, and it doesn’t necessarily reflect the intrinsic quality of the work.

However, don’t limit yourself to the few hundred artists who make the headlines and are exhibited in major international fairs.

It’s important to keep in mind that most artists fail to make a living from their art, and that many gallery owners also struggle to make ends meet. This shows that it’s primarily the love of art that drives them.

STEREOTYPE N°9: ARTISTS ARE ALL ECCENTRICS! 🧑🏼‍🎨

We regret having to deconstruct the myth of the tormented and cursed artist.

Just because an artist has a particular sensitivity and strives to perceive the world from a different angle doesn’t mean they’re necessarily antisocial, withdrawn, or even mentally ill.

They’re individuals like everyone else, with their flaws and peculiarities, but just as real and human.

STEREOTYPE N°10: WHAT'S THE POINT OF ART? 🖼️

Very often, the sceptic will answer this question before you’ve had time to respond: “Art serves no purpose.”

But that’s precisely the essence of art: it doesn’t serve a specific purpose! It’s a free element, an elusive and ever-evolving conception.

It reflects a thought, an emotion, an era, an act…

What’s the point of asking such a question when the answer depends on each individual?

My name is Patrick DENNY, art gallery owner, and art collector. I demystify this fascinating universe for you and help you make the right choices!
#ContemporaryArt #LearnAboutArt #ArtAdvice
sources :
Riseart /Connaissance des arts / Moi-même !
Hello 👋 How can I help you?