Tuesday, August 14, 2007

What Do You Think



Kazimir Malevich
Black Square, c. 1923
Oil on canvas. 106 x 106 cm
State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg

I have always been curious if others consider this a work of art. In my opinion, media sometimes promotes the weirdest pieces. Just because something is famous, doesn't mean it is good. This is not to say that this work is bad. Nor am I saying that this is good. I want to hear honest opinions about this. Imagine that this is not Malevich. Instead, imagine you found this at a garage sale and the artist is unknown. Would you buy this? Why do you like it? Why do you hate it? Do you see anything in this work except for what it is - a black square? Let's hear it!

15 comments:

Doreen G said...

Glad you got things sorted out Lara-exchanging links sounds good to me

Felicity Grace said...

Lara, I thought I'd answer here so you don't have to check back! ;) Yes, exchanging links would be great!

I'll have to check back here often as your blog looks so interesting. Personally I wouldn't buy this. I'm not convinced that this sort of work is really art. If it's to make the viewer think then I can't see how this is any more meaningful than me staring at a black page. I don't know the artist's intention here but when I read that I am supposed to be inspired or provoked into thinking, then the art is surely for those that can't think for themselves! ;)

Rebecca said...

Oops -- messed up the first post. I might buy it, but it would be to add something to. Looks like the start of a good collage to me!

littlemithi said...

Thanks for your comment on my blog Lara. Nice sites you've got here :)
AS for exchanging links - erm, I've never done it, and am not planning to do it anytime soon. The links on my blog are things I use for my own benefit a lot - its for me and not so much for anyone else. I'll keep your website/blog bookmarked though and if I ever get round to sorting out my own website, I'll review what I want to add as links there.

All the best.

Maureen said...

Lara
I came to visit via Doreen's blog...(we've been corrresponding for a while)
A few months ago I thought that I'd sorted out all this HTML "stuff"........now I'm not so sure.
To get back to your posting.....I do not accept that a black square is "art"!
I want more bangs for my buck.!!! :-)
BLACK is not art (to me) but a black hole.............???(maybe.)
Best wishes,
Maureen

Lara Berch Tutorials said...

Littlemithi
Thanks for visiting :-)

Anonymous said...

Lara,

I've never understood the "art" of a canvas painted one color. I think as art in terms of a process, and the solid colors always cause me to think, "Hmm, what was the process the artist followed?" Is there something beautiful underneath and because of the emotional state of the artist did they erase that beauty to reflect their feelings?
I look at this piece as a starting place for so much more than the solid black. I'd love to get my hands on it and paint it, alter it, etc.

Great question!
Kelly

Jazz said...

Honestly, if I wanted to hang something like that on my wall, I'd just go ahead and paint the wall black, or save myself some money and paint a black canvas myself.

I went to a museum once, where there was a 9x12 foot canvas painted pink. Seriously, I didn't see how it could be considered art.

But hey, whatever floats your boat.

Sue Seibert said...

Nope, I just don't see it. I wouldn't buy it, even by a famous artist...unless I could sell it for more! I wouldn't keep it!!

Anonymous said...

I think I would just buy an empty frame and glass then move it to cover a different spot on the wall, rather than paint it black, lol!

HOBAC said...

This is so interesting.
Yes, I for one, do consider this type of painting to be art. Art is not merely an end image - it is a manifestation of emotions and ideas. To dismiss that is to dismiss another's point of view.
One, however, can not dismiss the context in which works are created. 'Black Square' is significant because Malevich was a pioneer in modern art and among the first to create this type of field painting.

Anonymous said...

you an idiot on malevich. you probably don't understand rothko either.

Avi Abrams said...

I hate black squares... everywhere.

Anonymous said...

A black square is not art. Selling one for big bucks is performance art (or whatever you call it in proper English) and as such admirable in my oppinion, or at least was when it was new. But that doesn't make the original square art, even if you keep it in a museum as a trophy of the preformance act (which is of course understandable and legitimate).

Sorry for the belated comment, I was surfing arround and just can't keep my mouth shut about that topic.

Tenar

Оksana said...

First it´s not only black on white. Backgraund color is pinkish and some other colors too. I don´t know much about that but what I have read this pease of art related with judaism.
I have to find out more about it and try to translate to english:))