I really think there needs to be more art slander . In an intelligent way but. Fuck, just because art is "good art" that makes you "feel something" doesn't mean it can't be BAD ART. Art can be masterfully produced and also derivative and trite! At the same time, art can be sound in concept, well-made, and progressively thinking, and still be BAD ART.
Case in point: Jon Sasaki's Water Cooler.
^ from the Toronto Star, 2011
I wish i had a full picture of it, but here's the man himself, Jon Sasaki, at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Look at that shit-eating grin. The water cooler is off to the left, looming in the foreground.
^ here is the warning posted by the water cooler, which contained untreated water from Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park (where the Group of Seven often worked). My picture, from an artist talk i was lucky enough to attend.
They went through three tanks, despite the exhibit being directly next to the canteen, where folks could get non-beaver fever infected water, for free! People could not get enough of this gross ass water! They couldn't help themselves! Glug glug!!!! Lol!!!!!!
All of this was part of his Pine exhibition, which sought to address issues of environmentalism RE: Canada's colonialist national identity as seem through the eyes of the group of seven. There's more to it too, but you should look into it yourself. It's Pretty juicy stuff.
^ from the Toronto Star.
So, yeah. Sound and strong and poignant on all points, but i'd still call it BAD ART. With all the baggage that the term carries! I think this is bad art, because people could have died from participating. It wasn't ethically wrong, they had access to good water and the warning was posted! They had volution! They voluntarily drank the stupid water! BAD ART. BAD BAD ART.
