On this web log I often rebuke the excesses of postmodernist artists, excoriate the state of modern day art, and berate the apolitical intellectuals and art critics who justify and praise every inane and dim-witted act carried out in the name of art.<\/p>\n
It seems that almost every day we read about yet another imbecile whose \u201cartworks\u201d exemplify the utter bankruptcy of contemporary art, like UK \u201cperformance artist\u201d Mark McGowan. This self-serving and narcissistic charlatan has already received more than enough attention in the press, and I only mention his name here as a challenge to those proponents of the \u201cart for arts sake\u201d philosophy.<\/p>\n
Advocates and practitioners of performance, installation, and conceptual art disciplines should take some responsibility for having brought us to this point, because if they truly believe that \u201canything can be art\u201d -then they must defend the likes of Mark McGowan.<\/p>\n
McGowan, 38, will be exhibiting his latest \u201cwork\u201d at a gallery in Glasgow. The exhibit will consist of a series of photographs that document his having vandalized 50 cars in London and Glasgow. McGowan roamed the streets and with key in hand, scratched the paint off of parked cars picked at random. An assistant photographed each car being \u201ckeyed\u201d. The so-called artist said the owners should be happy they were part of his \u201ccreative process\u201d and that \u201cthere is a strong creative element in the keying of a car, it’s an emotive engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n
McGowan expressed his desire that keying be embraced by other artists, who could make the act \u201cas mainstream as graffiti.\u201d The police said they consider McGowan’s acts to be criminal damage, and they’ll investigate the matter if allegations are made by vehicle owners. McGowan will no doubt be pleased to have criminal charges leveled against him, as it will once again place him in the limelight.<\/p>\n
Already McGowan is claiming to be the victim of censorship, and there is confusion over which venue will present his exhibition -which could more accurately be described as a display of evidence. It seems the exhibit was originally scheduled for The Arches<\/em> gallery in Glasgow, but they\u2019ve apparently back out. McGowan said \u201cIf they don\u2019t show my work, that is blatant censorship!\u201d A spokesperson for the gallery said: \u201cThe Arches will not condone the exhibiting of one photograph where a piece of private property has been damaged against the owner\u2019s will.\u201d A spokesperson for the Glasgow International Festival<\/em> said the Wasps Artist\u2019s Studios<\/em><\/a> would be showing the exhibit -but no one at Wasps would confirm this.<\/p>\n