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BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times

03 Jul 02 - 11:53 AM (#741485)
Subject: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: Amos

I think we may have reached a new low of confusion about what constitutes a seminal work in art.

The Tate Museum has recently purchased a prepared can of artist feces for enough money to keep a real artist focused on his best efforts for several years.

Not a swift trade in my opinion; especially since the high-tone intellect representing the Tate referred tot he can as a seminal work; perhaps she should review her high-school anatomy text?

Anyway, the story can be found here.

(Sigh...)

A


03 Jul 02 - 12:03 PM (#741496)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: Naemanson

It is yet another example of how people have lost track of the line between art and reality. A can of feces is reality and is only worth its weight as fertilzer. The work produced while the feces were being developed in the artist's gut can be defined as art.

Is any of his work (besides the can) on line?


03 Jul 02 - 12:08 PM (#741506)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: Naemanson

I just went looking. Doesn't look like he dabbled in art very much.


03 Jul 02 - 02:25 PM (#741620)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: Art Thieme

Interesting! To chance some thread drift: Because of recent sad occurances, your post has started me thinking.----The word you've chosen, SEMINAL, infers that the actual nature of seminary life has always, even if unwittingly, fostered the transformation of those institutions into becoming SPERM BANKS--ie. semen-al. But that substance, when not spilled on the ground (to use the Biblical phrase) causes a high pressure buildup that can and has lead to the explosive situations as seen in recent church revelation(s) and scandals. (***meant to be humorous*** --Do not take seriously. Please!)

Art


03 Jul 02 - 02:35 PM (#741634)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: Phillip

I first heard of these cans back in 1977 while I was a student in Florence. What was being said then was that no-one actually knew what was in the tins. It was therefore argued that the tins themselves were indeed a work of art because the presentation made the viewer think differently about tins and their possible contents and value. The Merda d'Artista itself is therefore not the work of art.

Well, I dunno. Still sounds like a load of crap to me.


03 Jul 02 - 02:36 PM (#741635)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: MMario

Art?

if *I* had dared post anything like that I would get *THWAPPED* right up the side of my head.


03 Jul 02 - 03:16 PM (#741678)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: Don Firth

Jeez!! I've been flushing the stuff! I've been an artist all along and didn't know it!

Don Firth Stop the world! I wanna get off. . . .


03 Jul 02 - 03:54 PM (#741705)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: RichM

Don, consider yerself a performance artist, every morning!


03 Jul 02 - 05:17 PM (#741747)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: Amos

Oh, the style., the grace --- he's bending -- he's turning -- folks he's reaching for the roll -- can the Champ be finished????? Hang on -- no, he's just twiddling it!! Oh, what bravura!!!!

A


03 Jul 02 - 05:33 PM (#741759)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: DonD

I like the concept of the mystery contents of the can: is it? isn't it? Provocative thoughts of 'what is art?'

I'm reminded of the auction a few years ago of bottles of wine from Jefferson's wine cellar. No one could know what was in them: fantastic vintages? Vinegar? air? But no one cared or had any intention of ever opening them; it was the fact that they were from Jefferson's cellar that counted -- and boy, did it count! They went for thousands of dollars.

And the joke to me was that the price varied depending on historical records of whether it had been a good or bad year!?!

I guess the Tate bought the -dare I say shit?- for fear another museum would 'scoop' it up.

Maybe this is a musical thread: is Manura Manya on the DT?


03 Jul 02 - 05:46 PM (#741770)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: mack/misophist

A number of years ago I heard an anomymous official from Sotheby's interviewed on NPR. This subject came up and he answered it like this. He said that most newly successful artists were young people who looked upon the rich old men who bought their works with derision. He felt that they did this sort of thing because they could get away with it; because there's enough of a mindless stock market aspect to the art world that it can turn huge profits. In closing, he thought that most of them outgrew it.


03 Jul 02 - 07:24 PM (#741830)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: CarolC

From the article...

The cans should increase in value, too, as they are becoming more rare. At least 45 of the original 90 cans have exploded.

I bet he's laughing in his grave.


03 Jul 02 - 08:05 PM (#741847)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: Seamus Kennedy

Let us hope and pray that 'Spaw doesn't see this thread...

All the best.

Seamus


03 Jul 02 - 08:37 PM (#741856)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: Jeri

I think it's a symbolic representation of the fact 90% of art is crap.
(The other 10% is the can.)


04 Jul 02 - 12:04 AM (#741942)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: Helen

This is the second reminder (unrelated) that I have had in 2 days of an anecdote a friend of mine told me years ago. A friend of his had the fairly common speech problem of being unable to pronounce the soft/breathy "th" sound as in the word "breath" and not the hard "th" sound in "breathe". So when this man referred to his research "thesis" it sounded more like "feces".

Yesterday I listened to a radio article about a man doind his thesis on the environmental advantages of composting toilets and my thought was that it is lucky he can pronounce "th".

Today you post this thread and the thought pops up in my head again: if anyone wrote a thesis on this topic I hope they can pronounce the word properly. (grin)

And.... not that I know diddly-squat (wicked grin) about Schroedinger's Cat, but...

Helen


04 Jul 02 - 03:55 AM (#742003)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: Steve Parkes

People who can define what is, and isn't, Art can probably also define what is, and isn't, Folk! I blame Marcel Duchamp myself.

Steve


04 Jul 02 - 05:33 AM (#742026)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: Declan

How you define Art could be a Thieme for another thread :>)


04 Jul 02 - 12:39 PM (#742292)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: Art Thieme

As someone astutely once said, 90% of Art is crap.

Art Thieme


04 Jul 02 - 01:18 PM (#742317)
Subject: RE: BS: Ars Fecalorum in Modern Times
From: Amos

It's probably true that 90% of Art is crap -- the other 10% is Folk and it makes the whole hassle worthwhile!!

Here's 10% in yer eye, Art!

A