Art playing on its own disappearance and the disappearance…
““Art playing on its own disappearance and the disappearance of its object was still an art of great works. But art playing at re-cycling itself indefinitely by helping itself to reality? Most contemporary art is engaged in just this: appropriating banality, the throwaway, mediocrity as value and as ideology. In these innumerable installations and performances, what is going on is merely a compromise with the state of things - and simultaneously with all the past forms of the history of art. An admission of unoriginality, banality and worthlessness, elevated into a perverse aesthetic value, if not indeed a perverse aesthetic pleasure. Admittedly, it is claimed that all this mediocrity is sublimated in the transition to the level of art, which is distanced and ironic. But it is just as worthless and insignificant at that level as before. Transition to the aesthetic level rescues nothing. In fact the opposite is true: it is mediocrity raised to the second power. It claims to be worthless: 'I'm worthless, I'm worthless!' and it really is worthless!””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote argues that contemporary art often recycles banality, turning worthlessness into a pretended aesthetic value, which ultimately remains meaningless.
In simple terms: Contemporary art often pretends worthlessness is valuable, but it stays meaningless.
Key Takeaway
Question the true value behind so-called avant‑garde art.
Themes
art
authenticity
value
culture
critique
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- gallery exhibitions
- public installations
- art criticism
- curatorial practice
Key Concepts
postmodernism
simulation
aesthetic theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes art truly valuable?
- How does irony affect artistic meaning?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook genuine creativity in favor of shock or irony.