Art
Arts institutions often tell us to expect great things from their inhabitants. Take the Metropolitan Museum of Art, for (an extreme) example. As you approach it on Fifth Ave, the first thing you see is a monumental stair case leading up to huge doorways flanked by towering columns. If you make it up
Art
In the newly released edition of the Brooklyn Rail, editor John Yau takes on New York Magazine's art critic Jerry Saltz and his characterization of America as “big, bright, shiny, colorful, crowd-pleasing, heat-seeking, impeccably produced, polished, popular, expensive, and extroverted—while also be
Art
Is it possible for an entire city to have an inferiority complex over its own art and artists? At times it certainly seems like Boston does. Between ignoring traveling retrospectives of local artists, devoting gallery space to art world circuit card-holders, and hemorrhaging curators, this city’s sc
Art
The concept of artistic collaboration is slippery. New York Magazine’s 31st reason to love New York City in 2009 is “Because Our Street Art is Collaborative.” Maybe they don't really understand the notion of collaboration.
Art
Sarah makes small matchbook sculptures that are designed to be left in public spaces. They are intimate art works that are part of the ritual of her practice. She believes in the words of Margaret Meade, who said, “When justice is lost, we have ritual. We need more ritual in our daily lives.”
Art
This summer, I tried to go see a free David Byrne concert in Brooklyn's Prospect Park but to no avail. The next morning I looked up the concert online and immediately found masses of documentation ... the concert had been reconstructed online so thoroughly that I didn't really feel like I'd missed i
Art
Much contemporary art is disappointing--street art especially. Even if you manage to find a piece you really like--or, if you’re lucky, one that is really worth liking--it gets buffed, weathered beyond recognition, hyped beyond reason, or it simply disappears. And like all art, its digital web ghost
Art
New York-based art blogger James Wagner recently declared "New Museum Commits Suicide with Banality [http://jameswagner.com/2009/09/new_museum_commits_s.html]" after the institution on the Bowery announced that they will be exhibiting the collection of one of their mega-rich trustees, Dakis Joannou.