Art has a history of breaking the rules of the art world's social norms and defying the artist cliques that have formed, as seen in the examples of the Impressionists, Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst.. The dark side of the art world is the political, popularity contests that suffocates new artists out and keeps favorite artists doted upon. The artists that take new measures to make their ideas known to the greater audience of minds are traditionally met with derision and controversy.
Art's Purpose
In art's purest principle, those with new ideas would be celebrated, but unfortunately the dark truth of the art world is that artist cliques form. Collectors, gallery directors and even art jurors are susceptible to the popularity contest-like pressure that keeps new artists out and old artists doted upon. Politics has even infiltrated art, humanity's vehicle of expression that should remain unfettered and uncensored.
The typical gallery view is one of capitalism, striving to show original work seen nowhere else and charging a commission from the artist for the use of the space through sale of the work. If a gallery wants to maintain singular representation of the artist, a contract is signed that details the territorial constrictions on the showing of said artist's work. Self-taught artist, Jouvelt, saw this as a restrictive and disenfranchising process. In an attempt at reaching the broader audience, Jouvelt's artwork was accepted to be shown this month and next at six different venues in Lawrence, Kansas, some of the local artists were offended that he didn't follow the same, small thinking that they resorted to.
In defense of this new tactic, Jouvelt states, "I believe, that most people never visit multiple venues in one month, so this is for the benefit of all the art patrons." Jouvelt's latest series of paintings are in homage to Kansas' established artists, among whom are the offended. Despite losing one venue in the political skirmish, Jouvelt will still be exhibiting in Lawrence at multiple venues from September 24th - October 24th, 2010.
Monopoly vs. Art Mafia
The backlash from the Lawrence artist clique was led by art coordinator of The Bourgeois Pig, who abruptly canceled Jouvelt's show after learning that he was also displaying artwork at other venues. The art coordinator stated, "I spoke yesterday with a number of artists and venue managers who are equally disappointed in your underhanded monopolization of exhibition spaces and blatant disregard for an attempt to bring to the public the awareness that we in Lawrence have a wealth of art and artists. (...) I am highly disappointed that you have chosen this method to appease your self-serving and fragile ego."
Ironically, the same art coordinator/artist had recently turned an entire city block into a personal art installation. A string of public defamation ensued in posts on a public blog regarding Jouvelt, including the following: "he should call his art show "hey me too, right guys? guys? me too, right?"
When people take themselves too seriously they begin unfairly criticizing and ostracizing those that think differently. Afraid of the new and unknown, afraid that they will be forced to evolve because they've become too comfortable in their who-knows-who footholds that they've bit and scratched out for themselves and afraid to stretch out and embrace something that others might not approve of, these artists and their posse let fear drive their decisions. Despite the fear, the new still arrives and artists with a moral code of hard work and determination carry on.
Stay tuned for a follow up article to this story including public response.
