Confessions of an Art-Loving Non-Expert
Look, I’ve been writing about art for… honestly, I dunno, alot longer than I care to admit. 22 years? Maybe more. And I’m gonna be honest with you, I’m still not sure I get it. Not completley, anyway.
I mean, I can tell you about the time I met this guy, let’s call him Marcus, at a gallery opening in Brooklyn back in ’08. He started talking about the ‘subversive semiotics’ of some random installation, and I just nodded along like I had any clue what he was saying. (Spoiler: I didn’t.)
But here’s the thing: I don’t think you’re supposed to ‘get’ art. Not all of it, anyway. Some of it’s gonna hit you right in the feels, and some of it’s gonna make you scratch your head and go, “What in the actual hell?” And that’s okay. That’s the point, probably.
When Art Makes Zero Sense (And That’s Fine)
Remember that time at the MoMA, Sarah? You were like, “Liam, what am I even looking at here?” And I was like, “I have no idea, but it’s probably worth $87 million, so there must be something to it, right?”
We were standing in front of this… thing. It was a pile of bricks, basically. Just a bunch of bricks stacked up in the corner. And some people were just staring at it, all intense-like, and I was like, “Are we missing something? Should we be feeling something profound right now?”
Sarah laughed and said, “I think the profound feeling I’m having is hunger. Let’s get bagels.” And that, my friends, is how you appreciate modern art.
My Failed Commitment to Understanding Art
I’ve tried, okay? I’ve really tried to be that person who gets it. The person who can talk about the aquisition of the ’90s minimalists or whatever. But honestly? It’s exhausting.
I remember this one time, I was at a conference in Austin, and this art historian—let’s call him Dave—started going on about the “determing factors of late 20th-century conceptual art.” And I just zoned out. I’m pretty sure I nodded off at one point. (Sorry, Dave, if you’re reading this. You were great. I was just… not.)
And look, I’m not saying you shouldn’t try to understand art. I’m just saying, don’t beat yourself up if you don’t. Some of it’s gonna be over your head. And that’s okay. Art’s supposed to challenge you, not give you a participation trophy.
When Art Hits You Right in the Feels
But then there are those moments. The ones that make you feel something so deep, you can’t even put it into words. Like that time I saw “The Scream” at the National Gallery in Oslo. I was there with my cousin, Emily, and we just stood there, staring at it, and she said, “Liam, I think I just understood existential dread.”
And I was like, “Yeah, me too. But also, why is this guy screaming? Is he okay? Should we help him?”
But that’s the thing about art. It can be confusing and beautiful and weird all at the same time. And that’s what makes it so damn fascinating.
Why I’m Done Pretending
So here’s my confession: I’m done pretending to understand all of art. I’m done trying to be the person who gets every reference and every nuance. Because frankly, it’s not my job. My job is to appreciate it, to feel it, to let it mess with my head a little bit.
And if that means I’m gonna stand in front of a pile of bricks and go, “Huh. Neat.” then so be it. At least I’m being honest.
And hey, if you’re looking to appreciate art on your own terms, maybe start with something practical. Like figuring out how to value it. Check out this property valuation methods guide. I know, I know, it’s not exactly the Louvre. But sometimes, you gotta start somewhere.
A Tangent: Why Art and Coffee Go Together
Speaking of starting somewhere, let’s talk about coffee. Because honestly, some of my best art appreciations have happened over a cup of coffee. There’s just something about holding a warm mug and staring at a painting that makes you feel all… artsy.
I remember this one time, I was at this little coffee shop on 5th, and I was reading this book about Van Gogh. And the barista, let’s call her Lisa, came over and said, “You’re reading about Van Gogh? I love his stuff. The colors are just so… vibrant.”
And I was like, “Yeah, they are. But also, did you know he only sold one painting in his lifetime? Talk about not understanding his own value.” And Lisa was like, “Wow, that’s depressing.” And I was like, “Yeah, but also kinda inspiring, you know?”
And that, my friends, is how you turn a coffee run into a deep conversation about art. You’re welcome.
Anyway, I’m gonna wrap this up now. I could talk about art all day, but frankly, I’ve got a date with a pile of bricks and a bagel. Catch you later.
About the Author: Liam O’Connor has been writing about art, culture, and all things creative for over two decades. When he’s not staring at piles of bricks in galleries, he’s probably drinking coffee and pretending to understand modern art. You can find him on Twitter @liam_oconnor.
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