Artists on leading edge
"How is that art?" Following the article were a number of quotes from random citizens, most of which questioned whether these pictured displays should be considered art. The very last quote in the series gave me quite a chuckle.
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Anne Lampe, director of Demuth Museum in Lancaster said, "Artists are always ahead of everyone in society in that they can see where we're going and what's going on. They're always on the leading edge and can tap into something the average person can't see." Really? Thanks for the enlightenment Anne. I always thought art consisted of talent, that is, something the average person can't DO. Most of us could probably manage to seal-up a few vacuum cleaners in plexiglass or mount a couple of inflatable toys on a fence section... considered art by Anne's standards.
A famous humorist once said, art of this nature "is a product of the untalented, sold by the unprincipled to the utterly bewildered", but I think the best quote on this matter is from the great G.K. Chesterton, who states, "Art, like morality, consists of drawing the line somewhere".
Jeff Heller
Manchester Township
I was thrilled to see Jeff Koons finally appear as a head-liner to your front page last week. For the past few years I have taught my elementary students that this world-class artist was born only 10 minutes from where they live. They appreciate the joy and precision of his work, but can’t understand why no one else has ever told them about our York County Gem.
Thorns to the York Daily Record for writing the article in the framework of “Is it Art?”. Any other genre of expertise would have been embraced by York Countians. For example, if a world-class scientist from York County had invented a new medicine, would you have asked “Is it Medicine?”: a world-class golfer-“ Is it Golf?”.
Jeff Koons has earned his right to his status of excellence from people who know art, despite York County’s opinion. We should be proud of him and ashamed of ourselves for judging his quality (and embarrassed by our own ignorance).
Perhaps if Jeff Koons would create a piece called “Funnel Cake” or “All you can eat Buffet” our community could respect the quality of his work. We owe Mr. Koons an apology, a hearty embrace, and then certainly not expectations of a donation to YOMA!