Professional vs amateurism
There is a constant discourse on what art is and what art should be exhibited and what art is good what art is bad. I don't believe we will ever come to a unanimous agreement on this issue but it makes for interesting if futile dialogue.
What should be important is the principle that there are levels of expertise in creating art that have to be considered. Because of the explosion of instant media devices and the internet those who want to show their work now have the entire world to see it. This exposure has a tendency to blend all levels of art together. The darling painters in the local clubs are entitled to every accolade they get. But their work will suffer in comparison with work of a painter who has more experience, ability and technical facility when compared together. For those who deny this fact, they are deluding themselves. There is this notion that if you paint you deserve to be noticed on a world stage. This is happening with musicians i.e. American idol, athletes, i.e. Television now has little league games televised; skateboarding is an Olympic sport. Dancers, i.e. hip hop is considered a dance form. This is happening in every profession and sport mainly because of the internet. Unfortunately, we are unwilling to be objective when dealing with amateurism vs. professionalism.
An artist, singer, musician or athlete isn't someone who does something once or twice or on weekends or when the moment strikes them. A professional is someone whose entire life is taken up with what they do. And they do it every day and produce work worthy of being called professional. They spend their lives learning, practicing and creating work. Everyone else is an amateur.
As for the curators and museum operators, they are thinking only in dollars and spectacle. Not necessarily about quality and professionalism. They are in this only for the money, fame and notoriety. Why do you think a plastic shark in a polyplastic tank sold for $14 million dollars? Don’t put too much stock in what is good enough to be in museums and galleries. This is the commercial side of art not the creative side.
There is much “novelty” out there masquerading as art. We have to see it for what it is and put it in its proper place. We have to stare into the mirror and see ourselves as we are in the clear light of day.
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