Morley vs. the art world: Round 2

By: 60 Minutes Overtime Staff
Topics: Correspondent Candids

If you watched this week's 60 Minutes story on Miami's Art Basel, one of the biggest, most lucrative art fairs in the country, you probably have a good idea of what Morley Safer thinks of contemporary art.

Or perhaps you caught his first story on contemporary art, which aired in 1993 and drew howls of protest from the art world and more viewer reaction than any other Safer report in his 42 years on the broadcast. Almost 20 years later, as Morley wandered the aisles of Art Basel, gallery owners and artists were still sore about being mocked in Morley's '93 story.

Still, his well-known distaste for contemporary art did not deter Donald and Mera Rubell from welcoming him on a tour of their extensive personal art collection, housed in a Miami warehouse open to the public. The Rubells have devoted their lives to collecting contemporary art and supporting promising young artists around the world. 60 Minutes producer Ruth Streeter told us that the Rubells had, of course, seen Morley's 1993 story. But they still graciously took him on a tour of their art collection, patiently explaining the meaning behind each piece of artwork, as you'll see in this video. We at Overtime applaud the Rubells for their enthusiastic effort to change Morley's mind about contemporary art, but it seems they took on an impossible task.

What do you think of the contemporary art that Morley has so publicly criticized over the years? Do you agree with him? We want to hear from you in the comment section below.

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by Ijustwanttopostacomment May 10, 2012 5:34 PM EDT: I'm glad that there are public figures who are willing to make a stand about the ridiculousness of 'conceptual' art. Art has always been conceptual. These 'artists' have removed concepts from their art to such an extent that they have to post long and often bogus explanations for their pieces because they don't stand on their own. When that still isn't enough to give their work merit they strive to make the majority feel too inadequate intellectually to grasp their swill so that no-one will point out that the Emperor has no clothes.; Reply to this comment


by Ijustwanttopostacomment May 10, 2012 5:33 PM EDT: I'm glad that there are public figures who are willing to make a stand about the ridiculousness of 'conceptual' art. Art has always been conceptual. These 'artists' have removed concepts from their art to such an extent that they have to post long and often bogus explanations for their pieces because they don't stand on their own. When that still isn't enough to give their work merit they strive to make the majority feel too inadequate intellectually to grasp their swill so that no-one will point out that the Emperor has no clothes.; Reply to this comment


by bill_pocock April 5, 2012 1:14 PM EDT: As a contemporary artist I deeply appreciate that 60 Minutes features the visual arts to a mainstream audience. And it's great that Morley is so passionate and fixed in his conception of what good or even valid art is, that he feels the need to slam the current visual arts. It's a strong point of view shared by the majority of people in the world. The segment gives ample time to contrasting views on the subject, though Morley's mocking voice-over hopes to guide the viewer's perception which editorial rather than reportage.

Much of contemporary art is more cerebral than purely visual. Developing taste in the visual arts was once a matter of having a good 'eye' developed by seeing a vast variety of fine art images over many years. With conceptual art, one's 'eye' becomes irrelevant, really. What the conceptual art work looks like is mostly irrelevant. The art object is about the idea underlying the artifact. It takes time, patience, and an open, adventurous mind in order to properly approach conceptual art. They are sometimes profound ideas is shabby clothing.

Art to suit every taste is being made - which is only a recent development in art. There's something for every taste and every price point. This is a golden age for art where all things are possible. This is the fine flowering of western civilization. The beauty of art is in the freedom of expression, enjoyment, and, even, enlightenment possible through no other human endeavor.

Thank you for caring, Morley!; Reply to this comment


by theartbrush April 4, 2012 12:24 PM EDT: In Fine Arts.I think a paintings value should reflect just how the buyer feels about that painting,and the work that the artist has put into it.Understood there are exceptions even in fine arts that a painting is of such quality that it is sold many times at large profit. The point being the artist is not going to have a good day every day. To buy a name and not the quality of the painting is wealth without taste. "All Art is not quality Art"; Reply to this comment


by 1surfing April 3, 2012 10:01 PM EDT: Totally agree w/ Morley, I just don't get it, but then could be an acquired taste & I'm just not refined enough. No denying how the super rich manage to spend all that disposable income or how obscene it's become, by any community standards, especially when so many are barely getting by. The dichotomy between those laid off NASA workers & this piece was undeniable.; Reply to this comment


by SatyrSatire April 3, 2012 9:07 PM EDT: Great piece and I agree with Morley. I saw a few bits of canvas and sculpture that I could definitely call artistic. The rest were just gratuitous rubbish. And not one of those pieces displayed was worth the ridiculous prices advertised. After seeing the super wealthy wasting their money on junk, when they could be helping others who don't even have clean water, all I can say is that I hope the bottom falls out of the art market.; Reply to this comment


by guguwich April 3, 2012 7:12 PM EDT: Once again, you provide proof of a major malfunction of this country. The 1% have way too much money to throw around. With the govt in debt up to its eyebrows, with the current burden going to be shouldered by our grandchildren, the blatantness which these idiots throw their money around makes many of us sick. I say tax them appropriately, so they have to live like middle class, and outlaw all overseas accounts. If they want to keep their money overseas, rescind their citizenship and let them live there. Also, do not let them back into the country until they are willing to close their overseas accounts and carry their share of the burden.

I have busted my ass working for 40 years, ahve no credit and never had a chance to own my own home. The American dream is ********, unless you have a 6-figure income. Something I have never had, and Im too old to hope for now.; Reply to this comment


by guguwich April 3, 2012 7:10 PM EDT: Once again, you provide proof of a major malfunction of this country. The 1% have way too much money to throw around. With the govt in debt up to its eyebrows, with the current burden going to be shouldered by our grandchildren, the blatantness which these idiots throw their money around makes many of us sick. I say tax them appropriately, so they have to live like middle class, and outlaw all overseas accounts. If they want to keep their money overseas, rescind their citizenship and let them live there. Also, do not let them back into the country until they are willing to close their overseas accounts and carry their share of the burden.

I have busted my ass working for 40 years, ahve no credit and never had a chance to own my own home. The American dream is ********, unless you have a 6-figure income. Something I have never had, and Im too old to hope for now.; Reply to this comment


by seven2521 April 2, 2012 12:42 PM EDT: I find it hypocritical how the majority of these artists hate business, greed, and "the profit motive" of corporations selling products and services people want and need, yet they have no problem selling their useless crap for ridiculous prices.; Reply to this comment

by JeanChristianRostagni April 2, 2012 11:28 AM EDT

Morley, your face is a work of art, and these guys with infinitely more money than taste can't see that.

For an artist like me you piece was both fascinating for what it reveals of what really fuels the dynamics of the market, and terrifying as well, for the same reasons. I finally understood why the most senseless art is the most successful, financially. If something does not have meaning, pretending that it has, will make one look like a genius, since nobody can truly understand it.

Check out the film Monsieur Contraste. Now that is a true contemporary artist. monsieurcontraste.com

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by penartist April 2, 2012 3:31 PM EDT: I agree. I also am trying to make a living as an artist and now know what sells at the "high end," trite concepts combined with childlike skills and hype. I agree with Morley's insight. I would like him to find art and artists he likes and do a story about that. Contemporary artists are not all cut out of the same cloth.

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