dmandpenfold
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December 2006
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by dmandpenfold on Jul 31, 2008 10:01:02 GMT 1, Did anyone watch Amir Bar-Lev's documentary "My kid could paint that" on BBC4 last night about Marla Olmstead the 4 year old (at the time) child prodigy who's paintings commanded prices of $20,000 plus.
Hailed originally as a child genius an expose on 60 minutes blew apart the story saying she had been helped by her father and the work was not her own. The follow up doco on BBC4 last night was an attmept to get to the bottom of it all.
What's your thoughts?? Can a 4 year old can really have the insight to produce great works of art or is it just a case of accidental meanderings of a paintbrush producing something that looks a bit like work by other great artists?? or was it all a cynical manipulation of the scene by her parents and a smart gallery owner??
watch here
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00csk9p/
read here
www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2007/12/01/sm_marlaolmstead.xml&page=1
Did anyone watch Amir Bar-Lev's documentary "My kid could paint that" on BBC4 last night about Marla Olmstead the 4 year old (at the time) child prodigy who's paintings commanded prices of $20,000 plus. Hailed originally as a child genius an expose on 60 minutes blew apart the story saying she had been helped by her father and the work was not her own. The follow up doco on BBC4 last night was an attmept to get to the bottom of it all. What's your thoughts?? Can a 4 year old can really have the insight to produce great works of art or is it just a case of accidental meanderings of a paintbrush producing something that looks a bit like work by other great artists?? or was it all a cynical manipulation of the scene by her parents and a smart gallery owner?? watch here www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00csk9p/read here www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2007/12/01/sm_marlaolmstead.xml&page=1 |
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Karl Read
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April 2008
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by Karl Read on Jul 31, 2008 10:10:39 GMT 1, I saw it! Was a very interesting documentry. I think the way they were making her out to be a genius or some prodigy is a bit much. I was impressed by some of the canvas's she supposedly done but saying she is a genius from painting abstract art at this stage is jumping to conclusions a bit i think. Her use of colour was impressive, i think if a 4 year old is producing Art and it's selling, then hey fair play to her. $25,000 i think her stuff was going for by the end.
I saw it! Was a very interesting documentry. I think the way they were making her out to be a genius or some prodigy is a bit much. I was impressed by some of the canvas's she supposedly done but saying she is a genius from painting abstract art at this stage is jumping to conclusions a bit i think. Her use of colour was impressive, i think if a 4 year old is producing Art and it's selling, then hey fair play to her. $25,000 i think her stuff was going for by the end.
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dmandpenfold
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by dmandpenfold on Jul 31, 2008 11:38:17 GMT 1, so no one is interested in an art related discussion except banksee, seriously it was a very interesting program i recommend viewing it over an extended lunch. It didn't just raise questions about a 4 year old girl, but also what is art?
...obviously i phrased my question wrong...try again....
Do you reckon i could get more for a marla on ebay now or should i hold it as an investment? 
so no one is interested in an art related discussion except banksee, seriously it was a very interesting program i recommend viewing it over an extended lunch. It didn't just raise questions about a 4 year old girl, but also what is art? ...obviously i phrased my question wrong...try again.... Do you reckon i could get more for a marla on ebay now or should i hold it as an investment? |
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robinbanks
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October 2007
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by robinbanks on Jul 31, 2008 11:57:21 GMT 1, Was it not proved that her dad had done most of it though?
I remember reading something about it a while back and just thought it was like an extreme version of one of those competitions you have in first school where you have to make the best easter bonnet or something. Everyone else's is just a mess of pritt, glitter and tissue paper, but then there's always one kid who turns up with what looks like the latest Philip Treacy creation. All the kids, even the teacher, know there's no way they made it themselves, but what are you gonna do - expose a 7 year old as a cheat and a fraud in front of the whole school?
I forgot what your question was now??? Something like can a 4 year old's work be classed as art. Well, if their dad did it then yes it can, clearly. But if they did it all by themselves then i'd put it in the same class as the elephants and chimps that are taught to paint. Yes they look nice and you could argue that you can interpret feelings and emotions within the abstract brush strokes - but it's not really art.
Was it not proved that her dad had done most of it though?
I remember reading something about it a while back and just thought it was like an extreme version of one of those competitions you have in first school where you have to make the best easter bonnet or something. Everyone else's is just a mess of pritt, glitter and tissue paper, but then there's always one kid who turns up with what looks like the latest Philip Treacy creation. All the kids, even the teacher, know there's no way they made it themselves, but what are you gonna do - expose a 7 year old as a cheat and a fraud in front of the whole school?
I forgot what your question was now??? Something like can a 4 year old's work be classed as art. Well, if their dad did it then yes it can, clearly. But if they did it all by themselves then i'd put it in the same class as the elephants and chimps that are taught to paint. Yes they look nice and you could argue that you can interpret feelings and emotions within the abstract brush strokes - but it's not really art.
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Karl Read
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April 2008
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by Karl Read on Jul 31, 2008 12:06:44 GMT 1, Was it not proved that her dad had done most of it though? I remember reading something about it a while back and just thought it was like an extreme version of one of those competitions you have in first school where you have to make the best easter bonnet or something. Everyone else's is just a mess of pritt, glitter and tissue paper, but then there's always one kid who turns up with what looks like the latest Philip Treacy creation. All the kids, even the teacher, know there's no way they made it themselves, but what are you gonna do - expose a 7 year old as a cheat and a fraud in front of the whole school? I forgot what your question was now??? Something like can a 4 year old's work be classed as art. Well, if their dad did it then yes it can, clearly. But if they did it all by themselves then i'd put it in the same class as the elephants and chimps that are taught to paint. Yes they look nice and you could argue that you can interpret feelings and emotions within the abstract brush strokes - but it's not really art.
They did actually film her doing a whole painting, "The Ocean" i think it was called.
I dont think you can say it's not "Art" because the girl is only 4 years old! So at what age is it considered "Art"? When she reaches 16? I dont think you can say it's not art because of someones age, IMO. The statement i questioned was "She is a genius and child prodigy."
Was it not proved that her dad had done most of it though? I remember reading something about it a while back and just thought it was like an extreme version of one of those competitions you have in first school where you have to make the best easter bonnet or something. Everyone else's is just a mess of pritt, glitter and tissue paper, but then there's always one kid who turns up with what looks like the latest Philip Treacy creation. All the kids, even the teacher, know there's no way they made it themselves, but what are you gonna do - expose a 7 year old as a cheat and a fraud in front of the whole school? I forgot what your question was now??? Something like can a 4 year old's work be classed as art. Well, if their dad did it then yes it can, clearly. But if they did it all by themselves then i'd put it in the same class as the elephants and chimps that are taught to paint. Yes they look nice and you could argue that you can interpret feelings and emotions within the abstract brush strokes - but it's not really art. They did actually film her doing a whole painting, "The Ocean" i think it was called. I dont think you can say it's not "Art" because the girl is only 4 years old! So at what age is it considered "Art"? When she reaches 16? I dont think you can say it's not art because of someones age, IMO. The statement i questioned was "She is a genius and child prodigy." |
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robinbanks
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October 2007
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by robinbanks on Jul 31, 2008 12:13:01 GMT 1, No, I disagree. Art is all about emotion and feeling. An artistic style is something that takes years to develop. There is no way, no matter how "clever" a child may be, that there brain and emotional range could have developed enough by the age of 4 to produce anything that could or would be seriously considered art.
No, I disagree. Art is all about emotion and feeling. An artistic style is something that takes years to develop. There is no way, no matter how "clever" a child may be, that there brain and emotional range could have developed enough by the age of 4 to produce anything that could or would be seriously considered art.
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Karl Read
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by Karl Read on Jul 31, 2008 12:18:29 GMT 1, No, I disagree. Art is all about emotion and feeling. An artistic style is something that takes years to develop. There is no way, no matter how "clever" a child may be, that there brain and emotional range could have developed enough by the age of 4 to produce anything that could or would be seriously considered art.
Dont you think that Art can just be something that is visually appealing to someone? You dont necessarilly have to have an emotionally developed brain yet to produce something that visually appeals to someone else because of a good use of colour or brush strokes etc?
No, I disagree. Art is all about emotion and feeling. An artistic style is something that takes years to develop. There is no way, no matter how "clever" a child may be, that there brain and emotional range could have developed enough by the age of 4 to produce anything that could or would be seriously considered art. Dont you think that Art can just be something that is visually appealing to someone? You dont necessarilly have to have an emotionally developed brain yet to produce something that visually appeals to someone else because of a good use of colour or brush strokes etc? |
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Harveyn
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by Harveyn on Jul 31, 2008 12:19:55 GMT 1, DP - I will watch this tonight and come back with comments.
DP - I will watch this tonight and come back with comments.
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nymphlite
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by nymphlite on Jul 31, 2008 12:23:25 GMT 1, From a style point of view, yes takes years to develop, but I've always been interested in the way kids just create stuff (words, pictures etc) and how that changes once they come into contct with peers. For example, I've got a nephew who from an early age was able to capture different perspectives in his simple pics (eg a sense of motion in the way he drew his horses etc). Then he got to school and, over a short time, his pictures became far more traditional and in line with what other kids were doing. Interesting to see when (if) that innate creativity will surface again.
From a style point of view, yes takes years to develop, but I've always been interested in the way kids just create stuff (words, pictures etc) and how that changes once they come into contct with peers. For example, I've got a nephew who from an early age was able to capture different perspectives in his simple pics (eg a sense of motion in the way he drew his horses etc). Then he got to school and, over a short time, his pictures became far more traditional and in line with what other kids were doing. Interesting to see when (if) that innate creativity will surface again.
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robinbanks
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by robinbanks on Jul 31, 2008 12:32:49 GMT 1, No, I disagree. Art is all about emotion and feeling. An artistic style is something that takes years to develop. There is no way, no matter how "clever" a child may be, that there brain and emotional range could have developed enough by the age of 4 to produce anything that could or would be seriously considered art. Dont you think that Art can just be something that is visually appealing to someone? You dont necessarilly have to have an emotionally developed brain yet to produce something that visually appeals to someone else because of a good use of colour or brush strokes etc?
If something is aesthetically pleasing and nothing else then I would not class it as art. For me personally, art has to be more than one dimensional, it has to work on a number of levels. For example, I think my iPod touch is beautiful, but it has no depth to it, no hidden meaning, it doesn't move me and therefore it is not art. I am sure that someone else would call it a work of art though. And that's the thing, the argument about what is or is not art will go on forever round in circles with no real conclusion.
No, I disagree. Art is all about emotion and feeling. An artistic style is something that takes years to develop. There is no way, no matter how "clever" a child may be, that there brain and emotional range could have developed enough by the age of 4 to produce anything that could or would be seriously considered art. Dont you think that Art can just be something that is visually appealing to someone? You dont necessarilly have to have an emotionally developed brain yet to produce something that visually appeals to someone else because of a good use of colour or brush strokes etc? If something is aesthetically pleasing and nothing else then I would not class it as art. For me personally, art has to be more than one dimensional, it has to work on a number of levels. For example, I think my iPod touch is beautiful, but it has no depth to it, no hidden meaning, it doesn't move me and therefore it is not art. I am sure that someone else would call it a work of art though. And that's the thing, the argument about what is or is not art will go on forever round in circles with no real conclusion. |
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dmandpenfold
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December 2006
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by dmandpenfold on Jul 31, 2008 12:36:41 GMT 1, good stuff guys...
re the original question, although some of the work has visual appeal, i am struggling to see how a 4 year old has the capacity to link the work she is doing with some sort of statement, emotion or feeling. Is it not just a collection of brush strokes or is she using maturity way beyond her years in really creating art. If it was fine art you could claim she was a genius or prodigy at such an age, but for pieces created in the vein of pollock and similar others you could claim it's just a series of daubs on canvas from a child who likes to paint. What seperates the pollock painting from marla's....the emotions, meaning and visual interpretation of a subject, can a 4 year old really do that? What about Beethoven who was composing musical classics from a very early age, that does take emotion and skill, is he a helpful comparison?
I believe she is 8 now so it would be interesting to see if she has developed a completely different style as she matured or what might develop in the future.
So far it hasnt been proven either way if she was helped, coached or otherwise, as banksee mentions though several pieces have been filmed as she painted and are offered as evidence they are geniune. indeed she still commands high prices for her work.....that's a good sales job by someone.
good stuff guys...
re the original question, although some of the work has visual appeal, i am struggling to see how a 4 year old has the capacity to link the work she is doing with some sort of statement, emotion or feeling. Is it not just a collection of brush strokes or is she using maturity way beyond her years in really creating art. If it was fine art you could claim she was a genius or prodigy at such an age, but for pieces created in the vein of pollock and similar others you could claim it's just a series of daubs on canvas from a child who likes to paint. What seperates the pollock painting from marla's....the emotions, meaning and visual interpretation of a subject, can a 4 year old really do that? What about Beethoven who was composing musical classics from a very early age, that does take emotion and skill, is he a helpful comparison?
I believe she is 8 now so it would be interesting to see if she has developed a completely different style as she matured or what might develop in the future.
So far it hasnt been proven either way if she was helped, coached or otherwise, as banksee mentions though several pieces have been filmed as she painted and are offered as evidence they are geniune. indeed she still commands high prices for her work.....that's a good sales job by someone.
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by angel41 on Jul 31, 2008 12:51:19 GMT 1, Don't kids act, think and create in an abstract way anyway? For this reason I think it is too hard to judge whether she is a genius or not. If she'd done something oustanding that wasn't abstract ie a life like portrait then it would be easier to measure. As it stands it's just a kid moving paint about. Give any kid top of the range materials and you'll get pretty similar results.
Don't kids act, think and create in an abstract way anyway? For this reason I think it is too hard to judge whether she is a genius or not. If she'd done something oustanding that wasn't abstract ie a life like portrait then it would be easier to measure. As it stands it's just a kid moving paint about. Give any kid top of the range materials and you'll get pretty similar results.
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br1stol
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by br1stol on Jul 31, 2008 12:54:55 GMT 1, I saw the end of it where the childs parents were digging themselves deeper and deeper into a hole... They sounded pretty guilty to me, like they were covering something up.
I think the mum even said ' I NEED you to believe that this is her own work...' - Suspicious to say the least!
Anyway, i loved some of the canvasses - but can see how a 4 year old would have the patience, techneque or forthought to paint a canvas twice her hight. Just take a look at some of her suposed work, even though they are abstract some of the eliments within the paintings are pretty advanced.
Yesterday i did a workshop with loads of children - the youngest aged 4. Here is what he produced...
Genious? or childish scribble?
I saw the end of it where the childs parents were digging themselves deeper and deeper into a hole... They sounded pretty guilty to me, like they were covering something up. I think the mum even said ' I NEED you to believe that this is her own work...' - Suspicious to say the least! Anyway, i loved some of the canvasses - but can see how a 4 year old would have the patience, techneque or forthought to paint a canvas twice her hight. Just take a look at some of her suposed work, even though they are abstract some of the eliments within the paintings are pretty advanced. Yesterday i did a workshop with loads of children - the youngest aged 4. Here is what he produced... Genious? or childish scribble? |
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by felix on Jul 31, 2008 12:55:04 GMT 1, Good salesmanship and lots of frenzied investors is what it looked like to me! I'm sure there are thousands of 4 year old artists out there, they have just not been 'discovered'. Anyone can be an artist, it's not always about the emotion and feelings.
Good salesmanship and lots of frenzied investors is what it looked like to me! I'm sure there are thousands of 4 year old artists out there, they have just not been 'discovered'. Anyone can be an artist, it's not always about the emotion and feelings. |
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by felix on Jul 31, 2008 12:57:21 GMT 1, Genious? or childish scribble?
I prefer that to a Parla!
Genious? or childish scribble? I prefer that to a Parla! |
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nymphlite
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July 2008
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by nymphlite on Jul 31, 2008 13:09:45 GMT 1, I agree with you Angel 41. Kids do have an abstract way of thinking. This is of course inevitable and in line with the gaps they have in interpreting the world. Abstract with intention behind it is obviously different.
Having now seen the pictures the girl did, don't really get a sense of genius. Sadly looks like just another marketing job by twisted parents.
I agree with you Angel 41. Kids do have an abstract way of thinking. This is of course inevitable and in line with the gaps they have in interpreting the world. Abstract with intention behind it is obviously different.
Having now seen the pictures the girl did, don't really get a sense of genius. Sadly looks like just another marketing job by twisted parents.
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nymphlite
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by nymphlite on Jul 31, 2008 13:10:08 GMT 1,
ps - I'm impressed with Felix's picture. How old was the kid who did that one?...
ps - I'm impressed with Felix's picture. How old was the kid who did that one?...
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nymphlite
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by nymphlite on Jul 31, 2008 13:11:55 GMT 1, Number 5 is Pollock.
Number 2 is the potato print your four year old did...
Number 5 is Pollock.
Number 2 is the potato print your four year old did...
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dmandpenfold
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December 2006
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by dmandpenfold on Jul 31, 2008 13:13:35 GMT 1, correct (except the potato is called colourful camoflage), what about the rest though are any of these by either artist?..dont cheat spoils the fun
correct (except the potato is called colourful camoflage), what about the rest though are any of these by either artist?..dont cheat spoils the fun
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nymphlite
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by nymphlite on Jul 31, 2008 13:21:44 GMT 1, I would say 3 is a Pollock. 6 is Marla and possibly 4 too..
I would say 3 is a Pollock. 6 is Marla and possibly 4 too..
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robinbanks
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October 2007
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by robinbanks on Jul 31, 2008 13:32:55 GMT 1, 1, 3 ,5 are Pollock (I think).
2, 4, 6 are almost certainly Marla (although this is the first time I've seen any of her work).
As I'm sure you're aware DM&P, whether you can tell them apart or not isn't really the point in question. It's the old cliche of walking round the Tate with your mum/mate/girlfriend and every 5 minutes listening to them say, "i could do that". Yes, you probably could, but the fact is you didn't - you didn't even think about doing until you saw it. And it was done fifty years ago anyway - what would be the point in copying it now - it would be completely out of context?!
1, 3 ,5 are Pollock (I think).
2, 4, 6 are almost certainly Marla (although this is the first time I've seen any of her work).
As I'm sure you're aware DM&P, whether you can tell them apart or not isn't really the point in question. It's the old cliche of walking round the Tate with your mum/mate/girlfriend and every 5 minutes listening to them say, "i could do that". Yes, you probably could, but the fact is you didn't - you didn't even think about doing until you saw it. And it was done fifty years ago anyway - what would be the point in copying it now - it would be completely out of context?!
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nymphlite
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by nymphlite on Jul 31, 2008 13:36:29 GMT 1, Thing is, if Marla's parents are probably showing her these pics and saying, 'come on honey, you could do something like that..'
Thing is, if Marla's parents are probably showing her these pics and saying, 'come on honey, you could do something like that..'
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by doublehelix on Jul 31, 2008 13:44:16 GMT 1, Thanks for the link, really enjoyed that. Thought the part with the collector seeing doors, people and baby heads in the abstract painting he'd brought was hilarious.
Also I think good abstract art has a strong conceptual underpinning, which obviously wasn't coming from the 4 year old, but probably was coming from the father.
And the dealer who saw her work as a way of 'sticking it to the art world'.
Now all she needs to do is scrawl "I can't believe you morons buy this shit" on her canvases.
Thanks for the link, really enjoyed that. Thought the part with the collector seeing doors, people and baby heads in the abstract painting he'd brought was hilarious.
Also I think good abstract art has a strong conceptual underpinning, which obviously wasn't coming from the 4 year old, but probably was coming from the father.
And the dealer who saw her work as a way of 'sticking it to the art world'.
Now all she needs to do is scrawl "I can't believe you morons buy this shit" on her canvases.
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dmandpenfold
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December 2006
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by dmandpenfold on Jul 31, 2008 13:52:41 GMT 1, 1, 3 ,5 are Pollock (I think). 2, 4, 6 are almost certainly Marla (although this is the first time I've seen any of her work). As I'm sure you're aware DM&P, whether you can tell them apart or not isn't really the point in question. It's the old cliche of walking round the Tate with your mum/mate/girlfriend and every 5 minutes listening to them say, "i could do that". Yes, you probably could, but the fact is you didn't - you didn't even think about doing until you saw it. And it was done fifty years ago anyway - what would be the point in copying it now - it would be completely out of context?!
Yes correct on the ID's. Yes i agree telling them apart doesnt address the point, but i was really detracting from the 'my 4 year old did this he/she must be an artist' type of comment. Point was she could produce similar types of work to a very famous artist, but how she did it is probably very different to pollock.
1, 3 ,5 are Pollock (I think). 2, 4, 6 are almost certainly Marla (although this is the first time I've seen any of her work). As I'm sure you're aware DM&P, whether you can tell them apart or not isn't really the point in question. It's the old cliche of walking round the Tate with your mum/mate/girlfriend and every 5 minutes listening to them say, "i could do that". Yes, you probably could, but the fact is you didn't - you didn't even think about doing until you saw it. And it was done fifty years ago anyway - what would be the point in copying it now - it would be completely out of context?! Yes correct on the ID's. Yes i agree telling them apart doesnt address the point, but i was really detracting from the 'my 4 year old did this he/she must be an artist' type of comment. Point was she could produce similar types of work to a very famous artist, but how she did it is probably very different to pollock. |
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dmandpenfold
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December 2006
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by dmandpenfold on Jul 31, 2008 13:55:01 GMT 1, And the dealer who saw her work as a way of 'sticking it to the art world'.
agree seemed a little bitter and twisted..."look here is my very technical and detailed fine art that takes 8 months to produce and i dont sell anywhere near as much s**t as someone who scrawls crap all over a canvas....take this then, see if you can tell its done by a 4 year old with no depth"
And the dealer who saw her work as a way of 'sticking it to the art world'. agree seemed a little bitter and twisted..."look here is my very technical and detailed fine art that takes 8 months to produce and i dont sell anywhere near as much s**t as someone who scrawls crap all over a canvas....take this then, see if you can tell its done by a 4 year old with no depth" |
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nymphlite
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by nymphlite on Jul 31, 2008 14:14:38 GMT 1, Something worth thinking about if you've got kids. Certainly less expensive/time consuming than grooming a tennis o piano prodigy
Something worth thinking about if you've got kids. Certainly less expensive/time consuming than grooming a tennis o piano prodigy
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by Happy Shopper on Jul 31, 2008 14:29:49 GMT 1, I saw it. Just pretty pictures and hype really.
I saw it. Just pretty pictures and hype really.
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rhodesy2112
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by rhodesy2112 on Jul 31, 2008 15:30:06 GMT 1, I saw the end of it where the childs parents were digging themselves deeper and deeper into a hole... They sounded pretty guilty to me, like they were covering something up. I think the mum even said ' I NEED you to believe that this is her own work...' - Suspicious to say the least! Anyway, i loved some of the canvasses - but can see how a 4 year old would have the patience, techneque or forthought to paint a canvas twice her hight. Just take a look at some of her suposed work, even though they are abstract some of the eliments within the paintings are pretty advanced. Yesterday i did a workshop with loads of children - the youngest aged 4. Here is what he produced... Genious? or childish scribble?
Both
I saw the end of it where the childs parents were digging themselves deeper and deeper into a hole... They sounded pretty guilty to me, like they were covering something up. I think the mum even said ' I NEED you to believe that this is her own work...' - Suspicious to say the least! Anyway, i loved some of the canvasses - but can see how a 4 year old would have the patience, techneque or forthought to paint a canvas twice her hight. Just take a look at some of her suposed work, even though they are abstract some of the eliments within the paintings are pretty advanced. Yesterday i did a workshop with loads of children - the youngest aged 4. Here is what he produced... Genious? or childish scribble? Both |
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Is the work of a 4 year old art?, by paulypaul on Jul 31, 2008 15:43:30 GMT 1, This is a toughie and reminds me of one of my favourite cartoons ever (was in Hustler, I think) when a mother is showing the dad a painting the child has done and the dad says 'I don't care how old he is - it's shit...'
Is she a genius for doing work that looks childlike or is Pollock the genious for unlearning everything and being able to paint in a child like way? I'm pretty sure it was Picasso that said it had taken him a lifetime to be able to draw like a child.
I mean, let's face it - a lot of artists get away with murder...Most of us could produce a passable Pollock. Few of us could produce Constable. Sit a child at a piano and let them hammer on the keys - 'Oh, genius! Listen to little Johnny playing freeform contemporary jazz...'
I guess my thoughts are that to be considered genius you have to choose to do what you do, not merely do it because that is all you can do....
This is a toughie and reminds me of one of my favourite cartoons ever (was in Hustler, I think) when a mother is showing the dad a painting the child has done and the dad says 'I don't care how old he is - it's shit...'
Is she a genius for doing work that looks childlike or is Pollock the genious for unlearning everything and being able to paint in a child like way? I'm pretty sure it was Picasso that said it had taken him a lifetime to be able to draw like a child.
I mean, let's face it - a lot of artists get away with murder...Most of us could produce a passable Pollock. Few of us could produce Constable. Sit a child at a piano and let them hammer on the keys - 'Oh, genius! Listen to little Johnny playing freeform contemporary jazz...'
I guess my thoughts are that to be considered genius you have to choose to do what you do, not merely do it because that is all you can do....
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