I have never been a huge fan of contemporary art. Way too hard to understand what the artist is trying to communicate. Like walking through the dark tunnels of their personal history and mind. Picasso is an example of an artist who was profoundly affected by the chaos of his time - the 1920's to the 1960's - the post WWI Europe, the build up of events leading to WWII and the aftermath that affected the entire world. It was a period when all sense of order and hierarchy and the rule of law seemed to be thrown out the window. So too the conventions and understanding of what is art.
That part I get, but there has to be a clearer way to communicate it. Can you imagine being really successful in life and the Prime Minister directs a portrait of you is to be commissioned and hung in a place of honour. Good news! Then they tell you that the artist is going to be Pablo Picasso and not to be offended if your nostril is on your elbow and you now have a vagina. Geez, thanks Pablo! Anyway, it was an interesting couple of hours seeing the collection and reading about his life. I left with the feeling that this guy was as successful at self promotion and "buzzzzz" around the beat generation as he was at producing massive amounts of art works that paid handsomely for the period. Somehow, somewhere, old Pablo is leaning back with a cigarette in his hand and having a laugh at us all.
As an interesting aside, we stopped into the Koln Cathedral on the way back to the hotel. This is a gigantic twin spire Gothic Cathedral of unparalleled beauty. I have never seen the likes of it. What a contrast to see the work of nameless, faceless craftsmen who were seldom considered artists to the whimsical stuff generated by Pablo P. and promoted by the nuvo riche of the period.
- Channeling UTM
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