【Art & Design English-28】Why is Modern Art so Bad? (現代藝術為何如此糟糕?)

Why is Modern Art so Bad? "The Mona Lisa"... "The Pieta"... "The Girl with a Pearl Earring." For a score of centuries, artists enriched Western society with their works of astonishing beauty. "The Night Watch"... "The Thinker"... "The Rocky Mountains." Master after master, from Leonardo to Rembrandt, to Bierstadt, produced works that inspired, uplifted, and deepened us. And they did this by demanding of themselves the highest standards of excellence, improving upon the work of each previous generation of masters, and continuing to aspire to the highest quality attainable. But something happened on the way to the 20th Century. The profound, the inspiring, and the beautiful were replaced by the new, the different, and the ugly. Today, the silly, the pointless, and the purely offensive are held up as the best of modern art. Michelangelo carved his "David" out of a rock. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art just offers us a rock, -- a rock -- all 340 tons of it. That's how far standards have fallen. How did this happen? How did the thousand-year ascent towards artistic perfection and excellence die out? It didn't. It was pushed out. Beginning in the late 19th century, a group dubbed "The Impressionists" rebelled against the French Académie des Beaux Arts and its demand for classical standards. Whatever their intentions, the new modernists sowed the seeds of aesthetic relativism -- the "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" mentality. Today, everybody loves the Impressionists. And, as with most revolutions, the first generation or so produced work of genuine merit. Monet, Renoir, and Degas still maintained elements of disciplined design and execution, but with each new generation, standards declined until there were no standards. All that was left was personal expression. The great art historian Jakob Rosenberg wrote that quality in art "is not merely a matter of personal opinion but to a high degree... objectively traceable." But the idea of a universal standard of quality in art is now usually met with strong resistance, if not open ridicule. "How can art be objectively measured?" I'm challenged. In responding, I simply point to the artistic results produced by universal standards compared to what is produced by relativism. The former gave the world "The Birth of Venus" and "The Dying Gaul," while the latter has given us "The Holy Virgin Mary," fashioned with cow dung and pornographic images, and "Petra," the prize-winning sculpture of a policewoman squatting and urinating -- complete with a puddle of synthetic urine. Without aesthetic standards, we have no way to determine quality or inferiority. Here's a test I give my graduate students, all talented and well-educated. Please analyze this Jackson Pollock painting and explain why it is good. It is only after they give very eloquent answers that I inform them that the painting is actually a close-up of my studio apron. I don't blame them; I would probably have done the same since it's nearly impossible to differentiate between the two. "And who will determine quality?" is another challenge I'm given. If we are to be intellectually honest, we all know of situations where professional expertise is acknowledged and depended upon. Take figure skating in the Olympics, where artistic excellence is judged by experts in the field. Surely, we would flinch at the contestant who indiscriminately threw himself across the ice and demanded that his routine be accepted as being as worthy of value as that of the most disciplined skater. Not only has the quality of art diminished, but also the subject matter has gone from the transcendent to the trashy. Where once artists applied their talents to scenes of substance and integrity from history, literature, religion, mythology, etc., many of today's artists merely use their art to make statements, often for nothing more than shock value. Artists of the past also made statements at times, but never at the expense of the visual excellence of their work. It's not only artists who are at fault; it is equally the fault of the so-called art community: the museum heads, gallery owners, and the critics who encourage and financially enable the production of this rubbish. It is they who champion graffiti and call it genius, promote the scatological and call it meaningful. It is they who, in reality, are the naked emperors of art, for who else would spend $10 million dollars on a rock and think it is art? But why do we have to be victims of all this bad taste? We don't. By the art we patronize at museums or purchase at galleries, we can make our opinions not only known but felt. An art gallery, after all, is a business like any other. If the product doesn't sell, it won't be made. We can also support organizations like The Art Renewal Center that work to restore objective standards to the art world. And we can advocate for the teaching of classical art appreciation in our schools. Let's celebrate what we know is good and ignore what we know is not. By the way, the white background you see behind me is not simply a white graphic backdrop. It is a pure white painting by noted artist Robert Rauschenberg at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. I'm Robert Florczak for Prager University. References (optional) Modern art—broadly encompassing movements from the late 19th century to today—frequently sparks intense debate. Unlike traditional art, which often relied on shared standards of beauty and technical skill, modern and contemporary art deliberately challenges the status quo. 10 reasons why modern art remains so contentious: 1. The Rejection of Traditional Skill For centuries, art was judged by craftsmanship, realism, and technical mastery (e.g., the ability to paint lifelike human anatomy or realistic light). Modern art often abandons these techniques in favor of abstraction, minimalism, or conceptualism, leading critics to complain, "My kid could paint that." 2. The Shift from Object to Concept In conceptual art, the idea behind the artwork is more important than the physical object itself. When an artist presents a blank canvas, a banana duct-taped to a wall, or an everyday toilet (like Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain), audiences often feel cheated if the physical execution requires little effort. 3. Subjectivity and Lack of Clear Standards Traditional art had established rules regarding composition, perspective, and harmony. Modern art blew those rules apart. Without a universal standard for what makes something "good," the evaluation of art becomes entirely subjective, which frustrates people looking for objective quality. 4. High Financial Value vs. Perceived Effort The art market frequently assigns multimillion-dollar price tags to pieces that appear simple, low-effort, or mass-produced. When a painting consisting of a single blue canvas sells for fortunes, it creates public resentment and the perception that the high-end art world is a financial bubble or an insider joke. 5. The Need for "Decoding" Modern art often requires a backstory. To understand why a piece is significant, a viewer usually needs to read a lengthy museum plaque or understand art history and philosophy. Without this context, the art can feel exclusionary, elitist, or intentionally obtuse. 6. Deliberate Provocation and Shock Value Many modern artists intentionally push boundaries to question societal norms, politics, and religion. Pieces that utilize bodily fluids, religious iconography in unorthodox ways, or graphic imagery are designed to provoke discomfort, which frequently crosses the line into public outrage. 7. The "Is This Art?" Debate Modern art constantly tests the definition of art itself. When everyday, ready-made objects (like a pile of bricks or a pile of candy) are placed in a gallery and labeled as art, it forces a philosophical debate that many viewers find exhausting or pretentious rather than enlightening. 8. Commercialization and Celebrity Culture The modern art world is heavily driven by brand names and marketing. Artists like Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, and Jeff Koons embraced commercialism, mass production, and factory-style workshops. Critics argue this commercialization hollows out the emotional and spiritual soul of art, turning it into a mere commodity. 9. Alienation of the General Public Historically, art often served public or civic functions (monuments, religious frescoes, public portraits). Much of modern art is created by insiders for insiders—curators, wealthy collectors, and academics. This creates a cultural divide, making the general public feel alienated or mocked by the cultural elite.
10. Breaking the Expectation of Beauty For generations, the primary purpose of art was to capture beauty, truth, or sublime emotion. Modern art, however, is just as likely to explore ugliness, chaos, anxiety, and the mundane. When art refuses to be aesthetically pleasing, it directly clashes with what many people fundamentally expect from a gallery experience. Links 【Art & Design English- 02】What is Art For?
【Art & Design English-52】Olympia by Édouard Manet that Changed the Rules of Art 【Art & Design English - 06】What is Contemporary Art? Discussion Questions (Art) How great is your interest in art? What’s the best art gallery you’ve been to? Do you like modern art? What do you think of installation art? Do you ever think a lot of art is not really art? Do you have a favorite artist? What kind of art do you like – paintings, sculpture, ceramics, etc.? What is art? Does art change the way you think or feel? Do you think anyone can be an artist or do you need a special talent? Do you think all children should study art at school? Do you think children should learn the history of art? Do you think a painting can really be worth a million (or more) dollars? Do you think today’s artists are as good as those from hundreds of years ago? What was the last painting/poster/piece of art you bought? Why did you buy it? Describe the pieces of artwork in your house. What kind of art is your country famous for? What kind of life do you think an artist’s is? Do you have any artistic talents? How would the world be different without artists? Discussion Questions (Design) How would you define design? How do you know if something is designed well? Do you think design is important? Why? Have you ever designed anything? What are some well-designed products? What are some poorly designed products? Are there any designers you admire? Have you done any interior design in your home? What are some examples of good design that you appreciate? Why? How does design influence our daily experiences and interactions with products and environments? Can you think of any iconic designs or designers that have made a significant impact on society? What are some key principles or elements of design? How does cultural and historical context influence design aesthetics? Can you describe a design project or process that you have been involved in or observed? How does user experience (UX) design contribute to the functionality and usability of products and services? What role does sustainability play in design? Share examples of environmentally conscious design practices. How can design be used to solve social and humanitarian challenges? What are some current trends in design that you find interesting? How does technology influence the field of design? Discuss the impact of digital tools and software. Can you think of any examples of design that have sparked controversy or provoked discussions? How can design be inclusive and accessible to people with diverse abilities and backgrounds? Can you share any examples of designs that evoke specific emotions or create a particular atmosphere? How does design differ across various disciplines, such as graphic design, industrial design, or interior design? What are some ethical considerations in design? Discuss the responsibility of designers towards users and society. Can you think of any design failures or instances where poor design affected the user experience? What lessons can be learned from them? How can design thinking be applied beyond traditional design fields to problem-solving and innovation? What skills and qualities do you think are essential for a successful career in design? How has technology influenced the field of graphic design in recent years? Can you think of any examples of design that successfully blend form and function? Explain why they are effective. How does cultural diversity influence design aesthetics and the portrayal of different cultures in design? What are some key considerations in designing user interfaces for mobile applications? Can you describe a design project that aims to address sustainability or environmental issues? How does typography contribute to the overall design and message of printed materials? What are some effective ways to gather user feedback during the design process? How can color psychology be utilized in design to evoke specific emotions or convey certain messages? Can you think of any examples where design played a crucial role in shaping a company’s brand identity? What are the main differences between designing for print media and designing for digital media? How can design be used to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities? Can you describe a design trend that you find intriguing? Why do you think it has gained popularity? How does packaging design influence consumer perception and purchasing decisions? What ethical considerations should designers keep in mind when creating advertisements or marketing materials? How has social media influenced the field of design and the way designers showcase their work? Can you think of any innovative design solutions that have improved people’s lives in developing countries? What are some challenges in designing for virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) experiences? How does design impact the gaming industry, particularly in terms of user interface and user experience? Can you describe a famous architectural design that has become an iconic landmark? What makes it significant? How do cultural symbols and icons influence design choices, especially in international contexts? Discussion Questions (Art Culture) How often do you go to art museums? Do you consider yourself to be artistic? What do you think about modern art paintings? How many forms of art can you name? What is your favorite form of art? Is graffiti art? Why or why not? What is the most famous statue in your country? Who is your favorite artist? Why do you like them so much? Do you think that art is important to society? Why? Have you ever tried drawing, painting, sculpting, or something else artistic? What is the most famous painting in your country? What is traditional art like in your culture? What country do you think is the most creative? Why is art so expensive? Do you think it should be more, or less, expensive? Do you have any artistic friends? What kinds of art do they create?