‘Beauty Kicks In’

Posted on March 27, 2024 by JMN

I would dislike him if I could build a case from the visible evidence equal in strength to my itch to dislike him. But beauty kicks in.

(Peter Schjeldahl on sculptor Richard Serra)

(c) 2023 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved

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About JMN

I live in Texas and devote much of my time to easel painting on an amateur basis. I stream a lot of music, mostly jazz, throughout the day. I like to read and memorize poetry.
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4 Responses to ‘Beauty Kicks In’

  1. Sue Grey-Smith's avatar Sue Grey-Smith says:
    March 30, 2024 at 11:13 pm

    Interesting. I hardly know anything about Richard Serra – was he controversial Jim?

    Liked by 2 people

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    • JMN's avatar JMN says:
      March 31, 2024 at 1:21 am

      Yes, he was, Sue. Some of his pieces in public spaces drew heavy censure from the general public, and one was ultimately removed. This was in New York City. I can’t recall the specifics. Serra stuck to his guns and surmounted the blowback to win general acceptance and recognition. It’s what made Schejdahl’s twisty remark about trying and failing to like him (!) funny to me. It’s hard to underestimate the public’s ability to revile and reject art that blows past its comfort level. I confess I’m not overly responsive to sculpture in general; however, I’ve recently heard Antony Gormley interviewed, and his eloquence about the genre has won me over. A sculpture, he said, is not a picture of something; it exists in the world. That simple statement seems profound. But I think it can be said as well of a picture such as your rockface pieces; a two-dimensional rendering is a thing itself, not a pointer. Sorry! I’ve drifted into babble.

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      • Sue Grey-Smith's avatar Sue Grey-Smith says:
        March 31, 2024 at 11:17 pm

        Oh thanks Jim. Your comments are really helpful. I just read an article on the Serra sculpture that was removed – this has happened in Melbourne too – a yellow sculpture that offended too many people but now is well regarded : Vault (sculpture) – Wikipedia. It is interesting how deeply offended people become about sculptures in public places when billboards or ugly buildings just get put up with far less concern. Schejdahl’s twisty remark IS very amusing!

        Antony Gormley has a stunning installation in a salt lake in the WA outback : Antony Gormley’s “Inside Australia” – Lake Ballard – it’s a great experience going there to see it. If nothing else you get to walk out on a salt lake. When you understand the creative and intellectual processes he goes through to make it, it all makes sense.

        His statement about an artwork being a thing in its own right and not a representation of something else is perfect. Something to always keep in mind! Thank you for such a stimulating conversation!!

        Best wishes Sue

        Liked by 1 person

      • JMN's avatar JMN says:
        April 1, 2024 at 2:29 am

        Thank YOU, Sue. I enjoy our dialogs. Delighted to read your info about Gormley. It’s a good point you make about billboards and other eyesores, too.

        Liked by 1 person

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