January 6, 2009

| Intelligent Life in the Universe >>

Wow: Just pulled up Illustration Art’s feed and found, kinda out of nowhere, a really smart debate on the values of modern art in microcosm.

It comes down to two artists: Adrian Gottlieb and John Currin. Both are alive today. Both are figurative oil painters. Both are successful.

Here’s where they part ways: One just sold a painting for $5.5 million dollars. The other can only sell his for a fraction of that price.

Who’s who?

First, take a look at two sample paintings: Gottlieb. Currin. (NSFW if your office has a problem with, um, nudes rendered in oil paint. But I mean, really?)

Then, make your guess.

Then, read the post.

And then — this is the most important part — read the comment thread. It’s articulate, thought-provoking, and contentious-yet-respectful. In other words: snarkworthy.

And then (jeez, it’s like school all of a sudden) tell me: Which do you prefer?