This is going to be self-indulgent, but I am very passionate about this topic. Sorry Judy.
On May 19th, in a video entitled “Who’s afraid of Modern Art: Vandalism, Video Games and Fascism,” video essayist Jacob Geller discusses the physical, literal and spiritual murder of a piece by artist Jewish painter Barnett Newman. “Who’s Afraid of Red Yellow and Blue” was the pieces title, you might notice it doesn’t end with a question mark, I believe that’s very intentional. It’s both a statement, command, and a challenge to anyone who dares approach this colossal piece. 274 by 603cm of pure shape and colour towers over whoever may dare to question it’s right to exist, it’s not asking. It turns out, despite it not being a question, plenty of people had a response to this. One man, as Geller describes it “Went up to it” and “Went to god damn town.” He slashes the painting in its entirety, leaving a sagging slit in the once prideful monolith.
Jacob Geller then describes the wave of antisemitic hatred linked with the hatred of modern art, the spill from movement from Nazi Germany into the US. I mention Jacob Geller not only because I admire his work not only because he himself is Jewish, but because has inspired not only my love of art, but of degenerate art. But none of the reason I love modern art is covered I that very insightful video. I love Degenerate art because it represents pride.
“Degenerate Art” was an exhibition held by the Nazi Party in 1937. A catalogue of Jewish and outsider art was displayed mockingly, to shun and mock them. They wrote mocking slogans against the walls, trying pretty much everything they could to mock and subdue any of their work. In hindsight, reviewing the work that was so thoroughly mocked, they are now seen for the beautiful and emotionally vulnerable pieces that were. Degenerate art may have lacked some of the classical skill of more compliant German artists, but the feelings that they conveyed stays powerful to this day. Whereas in contrast, most Nazi propaganda exists as little more than a meme now. Fascism and white supremacy have been so thoroughly mocked in media like the Mel Gibson’s “The Producers.”
And ultimately, even in modern piece that require high technical artistry, I prefer pieces that come from a genuine emotional place. I look at some of my favourite work, and I see the standards art is held to by some of these people who hate modern art, who fear it and I just fail to see how its anything other than standardizing creativity. Turning it into a machine made for consistent products rather than complex visual communication. It takes pride to do that, pride to risk stepping on nerves and grossing people out. And in a world that has become ever more standardized, so completely sanitized that’s what we need. What that took was people who were outside the system, people who had nothing to gain but everything to lose expressing themselves. I think that’s beautiful.