That is the question posited by artist and author, Ted Mikulski. Yup he’s my cousin…but that’s beside the point. When I first heard about Ted’s plan to publish an art book and learned it’s title, Art Is Dead, I thought “Ted, are you crazy? Of course art is not dead.” But is it?
As a teacher of art appreciation at Tunxis Community College, Mikulski was surprised to learn that a shockingly low number of students could name their favorite contemporary artist. When asked this question on the first day of class over the course of several semesters, Mikulski reports that only 2 or 3 of his students each semester could name their favorite LIVING artist. Some students named their friends, some named Van Gogh. Interestingly if asked the question”Who is your favorite band or musician?” the examples were plentiful.
The book is Mikulski’s response to “America’s lack of appreciation for art” and offers the opinions and thoughts of 16 contemporary artists, sculptors and photographers. Accordingly to Mikulski, “I have found through my research that many artists are shocked that I could even consider art to be dead. The sad reality is that many artists are so steadfast in their own work and their own circle that it is difficult for them to see art on a macro scale. Sure artists will always be around, but are they revered? Are they appreciated? And more importantly, are they figureheads in society?”
Do artists mainly only create for each other? Ted believes so and it is his hope that the book will be the start of a conversation that will in turn cause many in the US to begin to question (and change?) the status-quo. “I believe artists should stop creating work for each other and draw in the general public again. I believe visual artists should be leading the culture revolutions for society instead of just reacting to them.” Yeah baby!
The Art is Dead website is now taking pre-orders (the shipping fee will be waved for early birds) for the book, it offers a statement by Mikulski and also several video interviews and artwork by contributing artists. Publication date is set for October 15, 2009.
Artists include:
Nathan Janes
Peter Smolenski
George Boutwell
Nicole Bernard
Jon Brodel
Leif Nilsson
David Szydlowski
Balam Soto
Chriss Pagani
Shawn McNulty
Mike Ming
Robert Holton
Heidi Taillefer
Yuri Shimojo
Ronald Mallory
Robert Perless
Take a visit over to the Art Is Dead website… tell him, Lisa sent you.
Lisa
August 31, 2009
Savannah, I’m happy you like the post. Can’t wait for Ted’s book. In the meanwhile, don’t forget to check out Ted’s website to see some video interviews. Balam Soto is one of the artists providing video content.
Savannah
August 31, 2009
Lisa, I am delighted to read this and again be connected to the inner light of the art world by your blog splendor! As a student at Middlesex Community College and a soon to be participant in an Art Appreciation class it was interesting to read this. I too, can’t name my favorite contemporary artist… If I were to be immodest and pompous I would say myself- but this is not the case and there’s always room for improvement leaving no room for myself to be my favorite.
You’ve stroked my brain again and have brought to my attention something I should be looking out for if I want to be a rising star in the lime light of design and the vast terrain of art.
Thank you, I’ll tell Ted you sent me over!