H O M E W E B S I T E E M A I L

Thursday, 15 March 2012

Superman has Melted



…but is it art?
So what is art anyway? Some argue that it must be a beautiful creation, others may say that art should imitate or represent nature. Forget Tracy Emin's dreadful unmade bed for the moment – what about Picasso's Geurnica, one of the most poignant art creations that exist; but which is neither beautiful nor an imitation of nature and in fact doesn't tick many typical John Q Public boxes.
Aesthetic vs Ideas
My definition would be: Art is a powerful visual statement.
So, Superman, who should stand in glory in front of the National Art Gallery of Singapore, but can't because Singapore averages 35°; is melting.
Superman functions as art because:
  • we connect with it
  • the image stays with the beholder
  • it is a social comment
  • it is also amusing
  • it is a huge icon representing a large slice of culture
  • it reminds us about how superman embodied our wildest fantasies
  • at one stage we all thought he could save us all, but not any more, alas, he is melting.
(and I'm sure there are many more reasons)
I thought it was funny and cool and hope it's not permanent.
It still doesn't mean I have to like or covet the portion that's left!


No comments:

Post a Comment