Ok, this is a fun post - on my way to Paris today.  

Link: PlayMyGame

I might have caught this  Georges Rouault show earlier but I’m out of town and did not know about it beforehand.

I saw the Vollard show at the Metropolitan Museum late last that was referred to in the Michael Kimmelman article on the Rouault show in the New York Times.

Rouault has never really been one of my favorite artists but, overall, I have liked and responded to the work of his that I’ve seen - and I don’t respond to everyone’s work.

What is interesting - how unlikely anyone but Georges Rouault could have painted his work - it looks unique to me - and that’s a sign of greatness … that no one else could have done that work.

So, while I’ll miss the show, or have missed it - if I could have gone, I would.

I enjoyed viewing and listening to the Sigmar Polke slideshow and article in the New York Times tonight by Carol Vogel. 

Personally, I like the idea the artist’s work is being displayed and commented on, not so much Polke himself, being somewhat more guarding of his privacy - as he should be.

Carol Vogel bought up that;

“….Collectors and museum directors line up to buy virtually anything Mr. Polke produces these days. When a group of black-and-white drawings — blown-up studies of paint brush strokes and splatters that evoked celestial constellations — went on view in February at a cocktail party at the annual Art Show in Manhattan, they sold out within 10 minutes. “

And here’s the reason given (why his work is in such demand):

“…At a moment when no clear artistic movement or style dominates popular tastes, he is known as a master of the unexpected. And while often rooted in ancient mythology, philosophy and chemistry, artists and curators say, his work always seems new. The artist John Baldessari, 75, describes Mr. Polke as an artist’s artist. “Any one move can provide a career for a lesser artist,” he explained. “

Had not heard it said that way before - but I guess it makes sense - there’s so much going on right now in the Art World - it seems like there is no predominant art style - more like a bazzar.

“…His appeal also lies partly in his unavailability. Unlike Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst or Takashi Murakami, who work hard at maintaining their movie-star allure, Mr. Polke shuns the limelight and guards his privacy. He has been known to go for months without answering his phone, opening his mail or allowing visitors into his studio. “

While I would not want to be the person trying to get ahold of him….from the point of view of creating art, Sigmar Polke’s responsibility and focus is on his work, and his independence - and I think that’s the right focus. 

And, it’s a blessing when an artist, for a change, can call the shots - instead of the dealers, buyers, press, whatever.   I have always felt control of art ought to be in the artists’ hand - not some middleman, trader, museum curator or gallery dealer - however well meaning they may be.

BTW, Polke’s works look interesting too - would not mind seeing them in person - perhaps they are somewhere in NYC where I can see a few of his works.