The Veil of Art

Nearly every generation previous to ours has enjoyed the pleasure of rich artistic development. It hasn't always been in the foreground, like during the swingin' sixties, but it was always there, ready to be discovered if you were willing to look for it. Unfortunately for me and my contemporaries, the very idea of an artistic movement has become extinct. The movements we live with are nothing more than cop outs; serious attempts to create fake art.

The reason for this, I propose, is that the artists of the day have become obsessed not with furthering the past developments and movements in art, but with creating something that is art, something that can be readily accepted as art. Its not the artists fault, however. They are merely trying to keep up with a society that cares little or absolutely nothing about art. Society doesn't understand it, doesn't need to understand it, will likely never again understand it, but that doesn't stop the general population from believing the world needs it, and that they can appreciate it. Or maybe this isn't the reason at all, maybe everyone would prefer to appear intellectual rather than actually become intellectual. Whatever the cause, the end result has been that people will suddenly grow a deep fondness for anything that they can easily and readily perceive as art. If I can look at a drawing and immediately discern it as art rather than a 4th grader's classroom doodle, I love it.

This has left us with the often misleading "Veil of Art". The Veil of Art is anything that causes a piece to appear artistic, and therefore worthy of admiration by society. Common veils for our generation include but are not limited to Foreign films, black and white photography, installations of any kind, and anything that appears Avant Gard. Purpose, ideas, technique, and aesthetic quality have no bearing anymore. Take the worst movie script in the world, produce it in a foreign language, and you're guaranteed to have art fans the world over praising its unique and innovative style.

This is because Art is no longer meant to stimulate thought and discussion. In fact it should do the opposite, it should leave everyone with as little to think about as possible. Like everything else in our society, its only meant to be quick and easily digested. Don't make me think about what it means, just let me know its art so I can say I love it, impress my girlfriend, and go home.