Art in Cape Cod
Provincetown, the colorful town on the tip of Cape Cod has been a haven for artists for a long time.
So what do I think of the art represented in the many galleries around town?
This is a touchy subject for me.
Galleries that are strategically placed in touristy areas, are motivated by the prospect of selling art to the tourists.
They need to survive, pay their bills and support their staff.
This usually means that the selection, sizes and subject matter of the art represented is uniformly embedded with attributes that may appeal to the visiting tourists.
No eyebrow raising art here or art that is painted on large scale.
I see this in many areas that get flashed with tourists every season.
I do not mean to imply that the art is not done well or even enjoyable to look at.
There were many examples of art that was not just sailboats and scenes from the Cape.
It does not however shake or enlighten the viewers about the artists and their processes.
The art tended to be of the kind that could be easily packaged and taken home to hang on wealthy peoples' shiny walls.
For many years I have been disappointed with the direction that the museum and galleries around the USA are taking.
The art tends to be too perfect.
Some of it looks like it has been conceived and executed by a super futuristic race.
You see no mistakes, no drips, no quivering of the artist hand.
It almost spells that if you can't do it perfect, don't do it at all.
It lacks humanity. It does not tell of people, their wars, their struggles and their pain.
It does however speak of the mad race to the top.
To be represented by the biggest and the best.
To excel above all else, above all others.
So what do I think of the art represented in the many galleries around town?
This is a touchy subject for me.
Galleries that are strategically placed in touristy areas, are motivated by the prospect of selling art to the tourists.
They need to survive, pay their bills and support their staff.
This usually means that the selection, sizes and subject matter of the art represented is uniformly embedded with attributes that may appeal to the visiting tourists.
No eyebrow raising art here or art that is painted on large scale.
I see this in many areas that get flashed with tourists every season.
I do not mean to imply that the art is not done well or even enjoyable to look at.
There were many examples of art that was not just sailboats and scenes from the Cape.
It does not however shake or enlighten the viewers about the artists and their processes.
The art tended to be of the kind that could be easily packaged and taken home to hang on wealthy peoples' shiny walls.
For many years I have been disappointed with the direction that the museum and galleries around the USA are taking.
The art tends to be too perfect.
Some of it looks like it has been conceived and executed by a super futuristic race.
You see no mistakes, no drips, no quivering of the artist hand.
It almost spells that if you can't do it perfect, don't do it at all.
It lacks humanity. It does not tell of people, their wars, their struggles and their pain.
It does however speak of the mad race to the top.
To be represented by the biggest and the best.
To excel above all else, above all others.
