Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Eudaimonia and other pursuits ^ | 12-22-2008 | MT

[mft112345]

Yesterday we made this quick montage of some of the museum's modern art. We're not huge fans of modern art but found several interesting exhibits here.

Watch video here

Here are a few questions for discussion:

1. What is the function/purpose/social value of art? 2. Is modern art less worthy of attention than classical art?

Happy holidays!

[numberonepal]

Art (within philosophically defined parameters) is the highest expression man has to offer. As Ayn Rand puts it:

"Philosophy is the science that studies the fundamental aspects of the nature of existence. The task of philosophy is to provide man with a comprehensive view of life. This view serves as a base, a frame of reference, for all his actions, mental or physical, psychological or existential. This view tells him the nature of the universe with which he has to deal (metaphysics); the means by which he has to deal with it, i.e., the means of acquiring knowledge (epistemology); the standards by which he is to choose his goals and values, in regard to his own life and character (ethics)--and in regard to society (politics); the means of concretizing this view is given to him by esthetics."

[numberonepal]

Every time I have visited the Hirshhorn I seen something offensive. Once it was a video loop of some ugly lady sucking her toes. On another occasion there was a pile of trash glued together in a mound called art. It had no discernible form or function - it was just a pile of garbage. However, there is plenty of “real” art there at which to marvel. Personally I can never get enough of the Rodin’s in the sculpture garden. THAT is “real” art.

[a real Sheila]

“Is modern art less worthy of attention than classical art?”

IMO, YES!

As an artist with an art degree, I will say that I DETEST modern art. I see no value in it other than to make individuals scratch their heads and ask “WTF?”
I think its other purposes are to give non-talented artists a job and to attempt to make talented artists feel inferior for not “getting it.”

I visited the Hirshorn several years ago. What a bunch of crap! There was a huge room dedicated to a video of an elephant lying down and then standing back up. WTH?!