Technique or Talent

So many artists struggle with matching their passion to the medium. In New York City over the past few weeks and again this weekend, the internationalism of art is on display at various venues other than galleries. At the trade show level, publishers and printers seek new artists at the 30 year old Art Expo. What is on display is more printers from Epson and HP than stop in your tracks, take a double peak at earth shattering, movement making fine art. Decor has been the focus of the show for the last 6 or so years and this year is no exception. The show does not have the importance that it once did for too many reasons to mention here....o.k. one being that mass produced art is not unique.

In the past great talent has surfaced from the show. Survivors of years past who ventured out this year include Emmy Winning - Golden Globe Winner Jane Seymour (yes your bedroom collection can also be paired with her purses, movies and California pleinaire technique for the wall). Her technique is evolving and definitely resonates for a select collector. While she is part of the USA Olympic art program for the upcoming China games, her notoriety helps bring attention to other artists. (She has an encouraging group of original works with her "patent" heart design and original studies - she even showed me the heart that will be available as jewelery). For GALLERY M collectors her populist style is similar to Christine Rosamond (shown above: Storyteller II).

At a completely different edge of the art world, last week's Armory show by Art Dealers Association of America, brought out the best for blue chip and perceived blue chip artists. Perhaps the most impacting work on display was a truly amazing Tom Wesselmann original by our friends at Davidson. Not only can you see why Wesselmann took pop art to the next level at a time with Lichtenstein and the countlessly mimicked Warhol, your understanding of how talented artists pay homage to those before them quickly unfolds (Mondrian and Modigliani come to mind for Wesselmann). And yes I believe that is Andy in the GAP store windows nationally.

What Wesselmann had was an uncanny ability to take the technique outside of formal thinking. At MOMA currently, you can see how he grabbed some "junk" (from 7 Up bottles -which he re-created and cut outs of food stuffs), put it on a board, added a refrigerator door and amazingly created a breath taking, show stopping work of art. Of course if you are not into the influences for contemporary art, Wesselmann is just not going to cut it for you. Owning a Wesselmann today ranges from small original studies, editions, and the original metal works, massive canvas acrylics, oils and mixed media paintings.

At both extremes, technique is practiced to bring out talent. Wesselmann had a talent that he continuously refined - he evolved by mastering his technique that distinguished his art from others. While potted plants and boobs were and are part of his distinguished style, negative space, mystery and elegance with the muse set his works apart from so many before and after him.

When leaders change our art world

Whether Hilary takes Texas, Obama wins full party acceptance or McCain preserves the traditional wind of American politics today, the arts depends on our leaders.

Artists reflect on the current world around us. Photojournalists need new issues to document. Painters may be inclined towards the patriotic or delve deeper into self indulgence and exploration out of disgust. Sculptors may feel the pinch of bronze pricing but recoup when their finished work receives collector and institutional acceptance. Film directors exploit obvious mistakes in policy execution (Jarhead comes to mind on the big screen or HBO's The Wire). Contrarily, many are apolitical. Their inspiration is independent of national debate. Much like the gizmo addict developing the next "Bug" at MIT or the like, the significance of their work becomes all encompassing.

The tides rise and with it so does the traditional value of outstanding fine art. This is art that needs no federal handout. Art that simply stops you and shakes you to "this is exceptional." Yes collectors do pay more in a high tide of increasing pricing. The strong Euro makes American artists works more affordable or European works more expensive. But beware of bad artists pricing higher in the name of perceived quality. Inspiration does deserve and command legitimate increased value.

When Dr. Martin Luther King marched the streets of Chicago in 1966 (Chicago Freedom Movement as photographed here by photojournalist Ted Williams) he lead by example matched by an uncanny ability to inspire. His speech in Soldier Field drove further attention to the blight of poverty caused by discrimination. In fact he personally rented a "shanty town" villa for he and his family and staff to live the life of his subjects.

His movement had legs because a country brewed with national shame for basic principles of men: due unto others what you want others to do for you. Combined with international foreign policy blunders, America and the world changed in the 60s drastically. America did so then because citizens found leaders who were willing to demonstrate their commitment to cause and lead change.

American leaders today now must "show us the money", "put up or shut up", or simply step beyond the traditional rhetoric of the everyday.