I don't really know how to introduce this

[Color Me Badd Fan]

The funny thing about McNaughton is that he didn't come across in the interview that poorly. I thought the guy would have been a total rube, but I'm beginning to think that he's just trying to profit off of the constitution fetish and he's in on the joke.

[UtahDan]

The funny thing about McNaughton is that he didn't come across in the interview that poorly. I thought the guy would have been a total rube, but I'm beginning to think that he's just trying to profit off of the constitution fetish and he's in on the joke.

People want him to be a dunce the same way they wanted the 9-11 pilots to be crazy people. Turns out that smart, thoughtful people often think really, really weird shit.

[Shaka]

The word you are looking for is "shart".

I think this is typical of the reaction many will have to his work. What I find interesting is that oftentimes this reaction directly correlates with those who do not like the message he's not so subtly trying to convey. The polar opposite reactions of those who love and those who hate these paintings, in both cases mostly because of the message, makes for a lot of fascinating tension. These paintings ability to create this amount of tension is, IMHO, what makes them art.

[Shaka]

People want him to be a dunce the same way they wanted the 9-11 pilots to be crazy people. Turns out that smart, thoughtful people often think really, really weird shit.

I know some folks who veer more towards McNaughton's opinions that are pretty deep thinkers. Just because you don't happen to subscribe to similar opinions doesn't really put you on a higher plane than them nor does it mean that your opinion is any more or less valid.

[wuapinmon]

People want him to be a dunce the same way they wanted the 9-11 pilots to be crazy people. Turns out that smart, thoughtful people often think really, really weird shit.

That's what I usually think when I read Moliere's posts.

[UtahDan]

I know some folks who veer more towards McNaughton's opinions that are pretty deep thinkers. Just because you don't happen to subscribe to similar opinions doesn't really put you on a higher plane than them nor does it mean that your opinion is any more or less valid.

In this case, it TOTALLY does mean that.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I think this is typical of the reaction many will have to his work. What I find interesting is that oftentimes this reaction directly correlates with those who do not like the message he's not so subtly trying to convey. The polar opposite reactions of those who love and those who hate these paintings, in both cases mostly because of the message, makes for a lot of fascinating tension. These paintings ability to create this amount of tension is, IMHO, what makes them art.

Please. The fact that he is able to piss off lots of people and generate controversy does not make it good art.

But as to your original question, I am not sure what point you are trying to argue. Who has claimed that it is not art? I think it is shitty art, but of course it is art.

[Uncle Ted]

How much did the crucifix in a jar of piss sell for a few years ago?

You mean the one that was funded by the National Endowment for the Arts? I think $15,000 of your tax dollars went to that one. Maybe McNaughton could get some tax dollars for his art from the NEA as well.

[Indy Coug]

You mean the one that was funded by the National Endowment for the Arts? I think $15,000 of your tax dollars went to that one. Maybe McNaughton could get some tax dollars for his art from the NEA as well.

Unless he used a processed 1811 Chateau d’Yquem to amber up that jar, that's a pretty damn impressive ROI.

[Shaka]

Please. The fact that he is able to piss off lots of people and generate controversy does not make it good art.

Not by itself but it can be an important element.

I think it is shitty art, but of course it is art.

This makes my point. You think it's shitty which I take means you think it has little redeeming value. There are others who think the exact opposite. In the meantime McNaughton's work is gaining value and being talked about on a national level.

I think it's impossible to know what people will have to say about these paintings in 100 years. Will they be a footnote in history or will they appear in humanities textbooks? You would argue the former but others will argue the latter. I'm in the middle watching the reactions of both sides. Frankly these reactions are making me question my initial response to the paintings.

[Indy Coug]

I just wish Jackson Pollock had thrown us a friggin' bone by including a McNaughton-esque narrative to accompany his artwork.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Not by itself but it can be an important element.



This makes my point. You think it's shitty which I take means you think it has little redeeming value. There are others who think the exact opposite. In the meantime McNaughton's work is gaining value and being talked about on a national level.

I think it's impossible to know what people will have to say about these paintings in 100 years. Will they be a footnote in history or will they appear in humanities textbooks? You would argue the former but others will argue the latter. I'm in the middle watching the reactions of both sides. Frankly these reactions are making me question my initial response to the paintings.

His art is being talked about on a national level because the political (and historical) message he is portraying is so absurd and idiotic. He didn't wind up on the Hannity show due to his deft use of color and lighting. His art relies almost entirely on a gimmick.

That being said, I hope he keeps cranking these things out. They have a great entertainment value.

[Indy Coug]

His art is being talked about on a national level because the political (and historical) message he is portraying is so absurd and idiotic. He didn't wind up on the Hannity show due to his deft use of color and lighting. His art relies almost entirely on a gimmick.

That being said, I hope he keeps cranking these things out. They have a great entertainment value.

One of his main messages is that our country is straying farther and farther away from the core values that has made it such a great country. Even if it is as subtle as a 2x4 to the head, the piece strikes a resonant chord for millions of Americans who also feel this way.

I agree at a very high level with his sentiments, even though I'm not a fan of his work.

[Moliere]

That's what I usually think when I read Moliere's posts.

Link?

[UtahDan]

One of his main messages is that our country is straying farther and farther away from the core values that has made it such a great country. Even if it is as subtle as a 2x4 to the head, the piece strikes a resonant chord for millions of Americans who also feel this way.

I agree at a very high level with his sentiments, even though I'm not a fan of his work.

A still, small chord? Interesting.