BEST OF 2010: NUMBER 9

Continuing...

#9

THE ART OF THE STEAL

The documentary I selected to watch at the 2010 Wisconsin Film Fest definitely changed the way I view art. I would like to think that art, whether it's paintings, literature, films, music, etc. create a form of escapism that by definition is consciously separated from more pragmatic pressures and commercialism. As The Art of the Steal demonstrates, however, art that was deliberately set aside for non-commercial exploitation can just as easily become a tool of marketing and business, with the right circumstances and patient, well-financed, opportunistic civic leaders. But that's not the only fascinating question this film brings up. Another is whether a person, by establishing ownership of creative masterworks, not only has the right to display those masterpieces in a way that he/she sees fit, but can also dictate how those works are displayed after they die. Barnes definitely is a sympathetic character compared to other wealthy eccentrics, and the care and philosophy behind the design and display of his original collection of famous paintings is something to be admired. But you can follow the slippery slope... what if an owner just buys things for their personal pleasure, and doesn't feel an obligation to share them with anybody, regardless of price? Shouldn't an outside force be willing to step in and create opportunities for others less wealthy to experience something culturally or creatively important?

It seems like I'm being very specific to the subject of the movie, but it was very compelling. Turning the concept of "art for arts sake" upside down has a lot of implications and questions whether even the most purely beautiful creations by artistic visionaries ultimatley end up having a real, concrete price in the end.