belgian idiots savants | art

Let's talk about contemporary art! For the simple reason that I do not know anything about contemporary art ( I use that sentence a lot lately). Do you have any idea how hard it is to understand contemporary art? It always has to mean something and every art work must be blessed with a deep dark unraveling message. Most of the time I really don't get them/it. 

Maybe you can call those artists "idiots savants", they are exploring a complete unique universe that we don't even see. Like Plato's cave, they are revealing the true form of things! Or maybe they just want to show us something beautiful (yes it can be that simple).  

Whatever it is, if you have the chance to see the crème de la crème of the belgian art scene you do not hesitate. And that is exactly what "the new golden age" exposition is all about: a perfect overview of Belgium's finest. Oh there is always something very erudite about upper class expositions: you walk with your nose up in the air, you lower your voice and you pretend that you know everything about art. You even stop at every art piece to crack your brain and to be lost in thoughts (aka what the hell is this). But don't forget to give the impression to the outside world that you absolutely know what you are glancing at! 

One work of art in particular grabbed my attention! A peaceful scenic picture by Luc Tuymans. There is something not right about the painting. At first sight, it looks like an ordinary flemish village. But it is too clean, with too little details. The ordinary impression gives you a feeling of discomfort. It makes you crack your brain because you know that the scenery does not tell you the truth. So I love the contradiction: the fact that it looks uber simple, but you just know that it is so much more complicated. Mr. Tuymans, you can always donate this painting to Mrs. K. 

Enjoy the masters of the class. And let me know what you think, so we can have an eloquent discussion about it. 

William Sweetlove/ Sam Dillemans/ Berline De Bruyckere/ Panamarenko/ArneQuinze/Panamarenko/Koen Vanmechelen/Wim Delvoye/ Luc Tuymans