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The Jealous Curator is a collection of inspiring, and, of course, jealousy-enducing art, collated by an American multimedia artist. Of the feeling you get when you encounter a really fantastic piece of art, she says,
"There is one moment, in the first few seconds, when you look at a piece of art and know that you love it. It’s the moment when, if you’re an artist yourself, you look at it and feel a rush of uplifting inspiration… and total soul crushing jealousy all at the same time. It’s when you walk away thinking, “Damn, I wish I thought of that.”
The blog tends towards more multimedia based and design oriented art, and while I don't love all the artists featured, about a month ago it was on a roll as far as I was concerned. Photographer Stephanie Fiore, installation artist Kristi Malakoff and paper cutting artist (is that the right term??) Claire Brewster all caught my eye.
The Jealous Curator is not alone in its championing of undiscovered art. Meighan O'Toole's my love for you is a stampede of horses functions similarly, although it focuses more on street art. What I find interesting about these blogs is they get you thinking about the process of charting (and predicting) a person's taste in art. It isn't something I'd really considered before, but when you think about it, it's exactly what a good art dealer does. Also, whilst "I-like-this-this-inspires-me" can become excessively positive after a while, and leave you yearning for some good, critical and theoretical debate, it is nonetheless refreshing to see artists being promoted by someone with no commercial motivation. Bloggers like The Jealous Curator and Meighan O'Toole recognise and share artistic talent, and I can only tip my hat to them for that.
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4 comments:
Interesting!
Thanks so much Amelia... I always appreciate a tip of the hat!
I know the positive love-fest can become a little much sometimes, but after my undergrad in fine arts, and a decade of design I'm so tired of criticism... no matter how 'constructive' it is. I like it when people think I'm great, so I assume other artists enjoy the occasional ego-boost. It's all art karma as far as I'm concerned, and your blog post about me is proof that it exists... so thank you again : )
The Jealous Curator (aka Danielle Krysa)
Hi Danielle,
I totally agree about the art karma, and like I said, I think you’re doing a great thing, but I feel like I’ve given you the wrong impression. When I say 'critical,' I don't necessarily mean negative commentary. Because I am studying art history rathre than practising art myself, to me "art criticism" is a neutral, rather than negative thing. I think, as much as I enjoy the instantaneous buzz that seeing a lot of art provides, for all my art-looking to be worthwhile, I need to think about WHY a particular artist's work is more inspiring than the rest of the pack, where it fits into a long-term trajectory of artistic practise and critical theory.
If someone was to ask me, "What is the point of studying art created hundreds of years ago?" my answer would be that looking at art, both from the past and the present, can help us understand what defines a particular society, or a particular moment within history. In the globalised 21st century it’s harder to isolate ‘societies’ as such, but I still find myself asking “Will people look at this and say ‘yes, this really characterises the 21st century and its approach to art making’?” and, moreover, “What will some far-off historian make of it?” when I look at art.
That mode of thinking is what I mean by ‘critical and theoretical debate.’ I’m sorry if this approach art seems a bit elitist and dry – believe me, I do still enjoy art at an instinctual “inspired” level. I guess I am trying to find a middle ground between pure inspiration and pure theory, and struggling. Yes, actually, now I’ve got that out I’ve realised that it’s exactly what I’m trying to get across. Sorry for the super wordy reply, like I said, I just wanted to make sure I didn’t give you the wrong impression. When it finally becomes a reality, I’d love to see the Danielle Krysa gallery in person :)
Oops,and now I've given the wrong impression! I think debate, discussion is great too and totally get where you're coming from. I believe that it's a fine line though. As an artist criticism/analyzation/debate doesn't feel neutral. As removed as you try to be it feels very personal. Sometimes it can stop an artist in their tracks before they've really lived up to their potential. I've been on both sides, criticizing/criticized and so I just wanted The Jealous Curator to be a place where both I, and the artists that I write about, come away feeling good. Now, in saying all of that, there is some silent criticism in that I certainly don't post everything I find. I only show work that I truly believe is unique and beautiful in it's own way.
Anyway, sorry for my wordy reply : ) and yes, if The Jealous Curator gallery ever opens in a real building you're invited to the opening! ; )
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