NARC

Bar of Modern Art (BoMA).

2006-10-22T21:53:00.000-04:00

Visit BoMA. Just Go... you need to.
The Mid-West needs it and Columbus needs it.
Support change. Support growth. Experience and support intellectual, social and aesthetic challenges.

ok... Bitches... now I'm back...

2006-10-22T21:49:00.000-04:00

Bullshit-ers and over-bloated pontificaters... BEWARE... I am back ... to rant, rave and review.
the shakers and the makers, smakers and hackers...and generally blow off steam about the art world. yours and mine. part truth part opinion all stress relieving therapy.

RETURNING SEPTEMBER!!!

2006-08-24T23:02:00.000-04:00

I have had too long a respite. I will be back in full force begining September....
be afraid... VERY VERY AFRAID! HAhaHAHAHAHAhaHAhahahA-hA-HA

Artist Quote of the Day: Paul Cezanne

2006-07-20T19:52:00.000-04:00

"A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art."
--Paul Cezanne

Mahan Gallery Review

2006-07-20T19:17:00.000-04:00

(NARC)-- Mahan Gallery, Columbus Ohio

I visited the current exhibition at the Mahan Gallery. I tried to go into it with an open mind and no pre-judged notions about what I may or may not see. I must say, at first, I thought "oh no--here we go again..." ... but as I went thru, my mind changed a little bit... a little.

Overall, I saw a lot of talent. On display was techniques and I don't know if that makes it art.
I dont think so. I saw a lot of techniqical proficiency (or near) on display and I dont know if that makes it art. I dont think so. Mostly it was an exhibit of the here and now for the here and now. It may sell but does that make it art? It may not sell and does that make it art?

I saw a real chance for great future works from a few... Seth Scantlen, Rollin Beamish, Curt Everett and Kristin Patton. I hope that they are simply scratching the surface of what they have inside and look for what is further down there for expression. They have ability and talent -- now do something special with it. Give us things we haven't seen before done in your own way.

Dont get me wrong.. there are some fairly interesting pieces all around the gallery. but thats what they are... interesting at first glance but then no more, to me. After multiple times around and thru the exhibit I came back to those four individuals pieces.

So go see for yourself-- it is a better collection of work in a really good space. And lets be a long for the ride with these "artists"... let's not tell them where to go.

Artist Quote of the Day: Van Gogh

2006-07-16T20:18:00.000-04:00

"My opinion is that the best thing would be to work on till art lovers feel drawn toward it of their own accord, instead of having to praise or to explain it."
--Vincent Van Gogh

Coming Next Week: Mahan Gallery:Inside the Artists Studio - Review

2006-07-15T23:25:00.000-04:00

...some hope is on display at the The Mahan Gallery... "Inside the Artists Studio".

Artist Quote of the Day: Jackson Pollock

2006-07-15T23:21:00.000-04:00

"The method of painting is the natural growth out of a need. I want to express my feelings rather than illustrate them."
-Jackson Pollock

Jeff Koons: Great American (con)Artist

2006-07-10T19:37:00.000-04:00

[this is a fictious interview made from a REAL interview from 1986... the words from Koons are his answers to the then interviewer]

NARC: So... Mr. Koons, "great american artist".... quite a title, hmm, what do you think about that?

Koons: I'm basically the idea person. I'm not physically involved in the production. I don't have the necessary abilities, so I go to the top people, whether I'm working with my foundry—Tallix—or in physics. I'm always trying to maintain the integrity of the work.

NARC: interesting. so do you consider it "found art"? Do you take something someone else has made and simply take it for your own?

Koons: Some are more involved in the appropriation aspect, the aspect of theft, while my work comes from the history of the ready-made which for myself is position of optimism. Whether I'm casting my Jim Beam decanter or creating a painting from a liquor ad, I receive all the legal rights from everybody—a very optimistic situation.

NARC: and the difference...?

Koons: I like the tension of accessibility and inaccessibility, and the morality in the art gallery. I believe that my art gets across the point that I'm in this morality theater trying to help the underdog, and I'm speaking socially here, showing concern and making psychological and philosophical statements for the underdog.

NARC: what are you talking about?

"The Proposition"/2005/movie review

2006-07-09T05:31:00.000-04:00

Again, proof that simple is best. Simple at first, simple on the top... underneath it's beautiful, absorbing, rich and full of profound references and reflections on humanity. Gritty, straightforward and able to show the violence of characters without overwhelming, gratuitous and drawn-out graphic depictions of their actions. It is not the most uplifting film - but I think was successfull in making you feel a range of emotions.
That is all understatement for the Aussie Western by Nick Cave - "the Proposition".
There are some recognizable faces, but to most Guy Pearce is the one that will strike a current chord. I know, I know John Hurt is it and he is far more notable than anyone in the cast... younger audiences , however, may not be so aware of Mr. Hurt and his impressive and long career. Danny Huston has been in number of film projects.
How it was shot, written, directed and portayed all lent to the success of the film... very, very well done.
If you appreciate and are into the old-school westerns - "the Proposition" is Very Highly Recommended. 3.5/4 stars

Art Gallery Purpose...2

2006-07-08T11:55:00.000-04:00

...may be the artist needs to cut-out the middle man...
a little revolt and stand up for ourselves and evolve with or without the gallery/rep.
????

What is the purpose of the Art Gallery

2006-07-08T11:15:00.000-04:00

Galleries should be a connection to the public for the artist... not judge and jury as to what art is or isnt. Galleries and the artist should be informational tools for the public, no matter degree of education or background, to become aware of "ART". To put it out there for the public to see... not decide for the public what the public should see or need to see. If you make the general public feel (or reinforce) that they dont know what "ART" is... or cant tell what is good or bad... you just alienate them. a lot of them feel alienated to the art world because of the thoughts of expense or knowledge. the need is there to merely get the public out to see artistic expression without the idea that they are stupid or ignorant for "not knowing what they are looking at".
may be thats part of it... may be they feel before they even look at it or see anything that they need to absolutely eveyrthing about it and the artist and form a thesis on it in moments.
...to be continued...

Columbus Ohio Art Scene Sucks!

2006-07-07T22:06:00.000-04:00

A Wake Up!!!
The Columbus Ohio "art scene" Sucks.
Artists. Galleries. Patrons. Critics. Scholars. Educators. Fathers. Mothers. Brothers. Sister.
Sons. Daughters.
WAKE UP!

Welcome to NARC, the New Art Review Columbus.
a site with a new eye and opinion on the columbus ohio "art scene". The good, the bad and the ugly. columbus can grow and needs to grow... but is hesitant, err... afraid to. we are on the edge of creating art drones... both the artist and the spectator. the artist for painting what needs to painting to get "into a gallery" and the spectator caught up in the technique and not the result. galleries should not define art and sales should not define art.
I cant define art for everyone. I can only define it for myself when I see it or feel it.
I am going to attempt to bring a converse opinion to the Dispatch "blow smoke up the ass" of the ones they are supposed to and also serve as a guide and forum to the highlights and low-lights of the columbus and central ohio art scene.

please be patient with me - as I post I will be working on the look and function of the site itself.

thank you