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"When a Review Doesn't Pass the Twitter Test: Drama & Desire at AGO, And Other Big-Insto Shows"

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Blogger sally said...

oh my goodness I loved the spotlit King Lear painting drama. Must we give up good old fashioned chees-o-taintment just because we also like fine art? I, for one, say yes to campy fun!

August 15, 2010 at 3:27 PM

Blogger Leah Sandals said...

Hey Sally,

Sorry I took so long to respond.

Yes, in the end, I guess I cut my complaints about the theatrical cheese from the original review because (a) some of them were enjoyable, to others if not to me (b) my main worry was the fact that these paintings were being presented without any explanation.

I know some critics out there (ones I like, even) loooooove to hate wall panels and explanatory texts. But hello! We are critics. We all have some degree of art historical education (even if it is way minimal, like mine). But the general public coming to see this stuff -- they generally don't have that! They are coming, yes, to be entertained, but also to learn! Also, yes, we can definitely learn by looking at art. But so many of us have also learned by reading about art, or being lectured to about it! Why not share some of that valued information with people who have taken their (increasingly dear, in this age) time and money to visit an exhibition in hopes of a little bit of knowledge and pleasure?

Maybe I just kicked off another potential "you overdid it there" comment but that's sincerely my biggest complaint about this show. I overheard many people saying "so what is this painting supposed to be about?" to each other. Some option to find out more really needed to be there in greater presence.

August 18, 2010 at 9:35 PM

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