Comments on: Photography and fantasy

By: Nicole de b.

Nicole de b. — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:31:12 +0000

What I dislike about the question “What is art?” is the pretentiousness of it. It’s forced. We all know how we interpret art…what we consider “artfully created”.

This print was art to the person who took it. They were telling a story. However, to me it is forced and manipulative– clearly relating to Golding’s Lord of the Flies. In that sense, it lacks creativity and vision.

But that’s just my opinion. In the grand scheme of “art” that doesn’t count for much. To each his own.

By: Adam Robinson

Adam Robinson — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:14:36 +0000

I love this print. It’s lush and grotesque and fascinating. I had complex reactions when I stood in front of it in the gallery. And I was so glad it was there. Manipulated photos seem more like “art” than straight “found imagery” photos. Would it be more evocative if this scene was entirely staged in full rather than craftily pieced together? Not to my mind. To my mind, art is about intention … and yes, also about craft. And do I think art should exist to enlighten or inspire? Not at all … I like art to amuse, and shake me up, to educate me, but mostly to provide me with an experience that lasts. And this piece does.

By: MTMcClanahan

MTMcClanahan — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:36:10 +0000

“Pleasantly shocking” – love your desription. I like to say it’s like a sore tooth you can’t stop licking, hurts so good kind of thing. I linked to and see that this piece is pretty large, especially for traditional photography; I bet it is quite as you describe. Will have to see for myself.

By: Brenda Poole

Brenda Poole — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:31:35 +0000

I don’t question what is art, because I believe I know. Even if Goicolea’s photo had been real and not manipulated to me it still would have been what it is; a raw gross picture and that is all. It is stuff like this that makes most people not appreciate curators and galleries taste in what they call art! It is shock and awe period! laziness and the unwillingness to choose real art that has been created to enlighten, or inspire is the norm unfortunately, how very sad. There is enough trash for the eyes to see in the world without the art world displaying it as though it were a prize they had found.

By: Gary Shaver

Gary Shaver — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 01:42:08 +0000

This comment is in no way a secific cratique of the image heading this thread, but just a statment in general regarding what makes a piece of work “art”.

By: Gary Shaver

Gary Shaver — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 01:40:32 +0000

Because a work makes you question “what is art” dose not in itself make a work “art”. In most cases I find that if I have to question it too hard, it usually, in my opinion, is not art.