Richard Prince Smells Bad

Summary

In this video, Ted Forbes discusses the controversy surrounding Richard Prince's Instagram appropriations, where he recontextualized random selfies from Instagram users and sold them for significant amounts of money. Ted explores the implications of this work in the broader context of contemporary art, touching on appropriation art and the role of conceptual art in the modern landscape. He critiques Prince’s approach, calling it ‘mediocre’ and repetitive, while also pointing out the irony that the controversy itself fuels the success of the art. Ted ultimately questions the value of the work and challenges the art world’s reception of such pieces.

Takeaways

• 😀 Richard Prince's controversial exhibition involved taking Instagram selfies and re-contextualizing them as art, selling them for high prices.
• 😀 The backlash from photographers stemmed from the devaluation of images and image theft, highlighting the difficulties in the photography industry.
• 😀 Richard Prince is known for appropriation art, which involves taking existing images or objects and altering their context to create new meaning.
• 😀 The controversy around Prince's work is part of the larger conversation on what is considered art in the context of modern, conceptual, and high-concept art.
• 😀 Prince’s Instagram pieces are considered by some to be mediocre, as similar concepts have already been explored by artists like Marcel Duchamp.
• 😀 The concept of 'appropriation art' challenges traditional norms of art, with examples including Duchamp's readymades and Jeff Koons' sculptures.
• 😀 Richard Prince’s Instagram work, despite the backlash, is seen as part of a broader trend in Contemporary Art where art is often defined by context rather than skill or originality.
• 😀 Prince’s works have generated significant hype and PR, which many believe has contributed to their high market value, not necessarily the artistic merit.
• 😀 Many critics argue that Richard Prince’s appropriation of Instagram images doesn’t offer anything new or innovative, making the work feel repetitive.
• 😀 Despite the criticism, Prince’s name and reputation in the art world have helped his work gain attention and maintain high value, similar to other famous artists like Picasso.
• 😀 The video emphasizes the importance of understanding the context of Contemporary Art, suggesting that the controversy and hype around works like Prince's may be part of the art itself.

Q & A

What is Richard Prince's controversial work about?

Richard Prince's controversial work consists of screenshots of Instagram users, particularly selfies of women in suggestive poses. He alters the comments, prints them in large formats, and exhibits them as art, selling them for up to $100,000. This has caused a significant backlash in the photography community.

Why did Ted Forbes initially want to avoid discussing Richard Prince's work?

Ted Forbes initially wanted to stay out of the conversation because the issue had been talked about extensively the previous week. However, he felt compelled to address it after reflecting on the broader implications.

What is the concept behind appropriation art, and how does it relate to Richard Prince's work?

Appropriation art involves taking an existing image or object, altering its context, and presenting it as art. Richard Prince has used this technique throughout his career, such as in his 're-photography' series, where he used existing advertisements and images, removing their original context to make conceptual statements.

How did Richard Prince's Instagram series compare to his previous works like the 'Cowboy' series?

Both the Instagram series and the 'Cowboy' series are examples of appropriation art, but the Instagram series is seen as less innovative. While the 'Cowboy' series challenged the ideals of advertising by re-contextualizing iconic images, the Instagram series is criticized for being a recycled concept that lacks the same level of originality and depth.

What does Ted Forbes think about the quality of Richard Prince's Instagram pieces?

Ted Forbes considers Richard Prince's Instagram works to be mediocre. He argues that they lack originality and that the concept of appropriating Instagram photos has already been done in the past, making the work feel unremarkable and uninspired.

How does Ted Forbes view the relationship between fame and art valuation?

Ted Forbes suggests that Richard Prince's ability to command high prices for his Instagram works is largely due to his established reputation in the art world. He criticizes the art market for valuing work based on the artist's name rather than the intrinsic quality of the artwork itself.

What historical artists are referenced in the video as part of the appropriation art movement?

Ted Forbes references Marcel Duchamp, who famously presented a readymade toilet as art, and Jeff Koons, known for casting sculptures of iconic figures like Louis XIV in stainless steel. Both artists used appropriation art to challenge traditional notions of what could be considered art.

What is Ted Forbes' broader critique of contemporary art, especially in relation to Richard Prince's Instagram series?

Ted Forbes' broader critique is that contemporary art, especially in the case of Richard Prince's Instagram works, can sometimes feel like a superficial or easy way to gain attention and financial success. He argues that the work is lacking in genuine innovation and challenges the art world’s obsession with celebrity and hype.

What role does controversy play in the value and perception of Richard Prince's work?

Controversy plays a central role in elevating Richard Prince's work, with Ted Forbes pointing out that the outrage over copyright violation and the perceived theft of images feeds directly into the artist’s strategy of generating attention. This, in turn, increases the work's market value, even if the artwork itself is considered mediocre.

What does Ted Forbes say about the relationship between artists and their creative output over time?

Ted Forbes highlights that even celebrated artists like Picasso had periods where their work became repetitive and less innovative. He suggests that the art market can sometimes prop up these works simply because of the artist’s fame, even when the work lacks the same level of originality or artistic merit as their earlier pieces.