Even though my preference is realism, I treasure the abstract art too, it's hard to imagine how much smaller and probably even more shallow (I imagine) the art world would be without it.
BTW, I'm not much of a fan of the photorealists. To me, imitating a photograph with a painting is pointless. I don't mind if artists use a photograph as a reference, but they need to bring a different reality to the thing. I'm probably making an ignorant comment here, but that's my current perception.
Im running out the door so I just glanced at this, but it looks like a great post and thread
"BTW, I'm not much of a fan of the photorealists. To me, imitating a photograph with a painting is pointless. I don't mind if artists use a photograph as a reference, but they need to bring a different reality to the thing. I'm probably making an ignorant comment here, but that's my current perception."
I agree. I think photorealism is boring and sterile. I think it requires no imagination.