Comments on: Rooney: When Did This Become Art?

Andy Rooney On Modern Art In Public Places

[sapphireligh]

Heh, I''d rather be viewed as "pretentious" instead of dumb. I''m proud of my Art History education, my career in art, and most of all, my understanding behind it. Perhaps more people should take initiative to learn about art, instead of "critiquing" it without intellectual basis like Andy does. Why is this guy still on TV? Oh, yeah, because he speaks for most of America - DUMBED DOWN!

[smartcritic]

Dear Mr. Rooney:

I didn''t particularly like the tie you wore during the art critic diatribe broadcast. In fact, the colors clashed and it was downright ugly. But you like it and wear it in public, so I guess it''s OK. Kind of like the way art works. One persons view of "nice to look at" does not always mean that others share that view.

As you also failed to mention, Picasso was not critically acclaimed when he created his cubist work initially. It took time.

Also, as you failed to mention..many, many classical artists like Van Gogh died penniless. So the very success of the art you panned clearly has someone who likes it and pays for it.. Just like your sponsors do.
Go figure.

[smartcritic]

Dear Mr. Rooney:

I didn''t particularly like the tie you wore during the art critic diatribe broadcast. In fact, the colors clashed and it was downright ugly. But you like it and wear it in public, so I guess it''s OK. Kind of like the way art works. One persons view of "nice to look at" does not always mean that others share that view.

As you also failed to mention, Picasso was not critically acclaimed when he created his cubist work initially. It took time.

Also, as you failed to mention..many, many classical artists like Van Gogh died penniless. So the very success of the art you panned clearly has someone who likes it and pays for it.. Just like your sponsors do.
Go figure.

[smartcritic]

Dear Mr. Rooney:

I didn''t particularly like the tie you wore during the art critic diatribe broadcast. In fact, the colors clashed and it was downright ugly. But you like it and wear it in public, so I guess it''s OK. Kind of like the way art works. One persons view of "nice to look at" does not always mean that others share that view.

As you also failed to mention, Picasso was not critically acclaimed when he created his cubist work initially. It took time.

Also, as you failed to mention..many, many classical artists like Van Gogh died penniless. So the very success of the art you panned clearly has someone who likes it and pays for it.. Just like your sponsors do.
Go figure.

[sapphireligh]

Colette1072 you hit the nail on the head. I really was hoping somebody else would chime in with some wisdom on this issue, and you certainly did. Everybody else, so far, though, seem to agree with anything Andy says instead of educating themselves on the issue first. This is why our TVs should not be used as an educational source. People are keen to believe everything that comes out of it.

[smartcritic]

Dear Mr. Rooney:

I didn''t particularly like the tie you wore during the art critic diatribe broadcast. In fact, the colors clashed and it was downright ugly. But you like it and wear it in public, so I guess it''s OK. Kind of like the way art works. One persons view of "nice to look at" does not always mean that others share that view.

As you also failed to mention, Picasso was not critically acclaimed when he created his cubist work initially. It took time.

Also, as you failed to mention..many, many classical artists like Van Gogh died penniless. So the very success of the art you panned clearly has someone who likes it and pays for it.. Just like your sponsors do.
Go figure.

[colette1072]

Pretentious nonsense? You would have been a witch hunter back in the day -- anything "new" must be nonsense...and what is nonsense to some is of course "evil." Is it true that the older one gets the less inclined one is to accept new ideas? Not everyone liked Leonardo Da Vinci''s works when he first created them... now he is the ultimate master. To create something new, no matter what it is, one must explore different ideas, thoughts, and of course, materials. Art is a freedom of expression, whether the "general public" gets it or not. That''s why education is so important -- to open your mind, take in, learn, process, and put forth into society creativity/activity that makes things happen. Open your mind. Whether you like it or not, know that creativity is at work...and the artist has succeeded -- he or she made you think, ponder, pontificate, and question... art truly at its best.

[smartcritic]

Dear Mr. Rooney:

I didn''t particularly like the tie you wore during the art critic diatribe broadcast. In fact, the colors clashed and it was downright ugly. But you like it and wear it in public, so I guess it''s OK. Kind of like the way art works. One persons view of "nice to look at" does not always mean that others share that view.

As you also failed to mention, Picasso was not critically acclaimed when he created his cubist work initially. It took time.

Also, as you failed to mention..many, many classical artists like Van Gogh died penniless. So the very success of the art you panned clearly has someone who likes it and pays for it.. Just like your sponsors do.
Go figure.

[colette1072]

Pretentious nonsense? You would have been a witch hunter back in the day -- anything "new" must be nonsense...and what is nonsense to some is of course "evil." Is it true that the older one gets the less inclined one is to accept new ideas? Not everyone liked Leonardo Da Vinci''s works when he first created them... now he is the ultimate master. To create something new, no matter what it is, one must explore different ideas, thoughts, and of course, materials. Art is a freedom of expression, whether the "general public" gets it or not. That''s why education is so important -- to open your mind, take in, learn, process, and put forth into society creativity/activity that makes things happen. Open your mind. Whether you like it or not, know that creativity is at work...and the artist has succeeded -- he or she made you think, ponder, pontificate, and question... art truly at its best.

[clmichaelsen]

I agree with your opinion on public art, but have to say I really liked the piece that looked like a rusty slinky. Does that say something about me being 50 something?

[sapphireligh]

Looks like Andy Rooney''s following only wants artists to sculpt and paint pretty things for them so they don''t have to think too hard about it.

[clmichaelsen]

I agree with your opinion on public art, but have to say I really liked the piece that looked like a rusty slinky. Does that say something about me being 50 something?

[sapphireligh]

mhpacbob, just because you don''t understand the meaning behind art does NOT mean it''s nonsense. Couldn''t be farther from the truth!

[bahtat]

Good report Andy. I couldn''t have said it better. A stroll along the waterfront of San Diego''s Embarcadero reveals a assortment of so called "Public Art"that belongs in the garbage dump. Anyone who believes a view of San Diego Bay needs to be "enhanced" with stuff like this doesn''t understand that King Neptune rules these waters and always will.

[mhpacbob]

The sculpture (?) they tore down in Reno a couple of years ago resembled the long sheet of rusting metal you were glad they got rid of in New York. To me it represented decay. I''m also glad they got rid of it. As for the clown in Santa Monica, look close; to me it always resembled Richard Nixon. As far as I can tell it is a tribute to the clowns in government. Much of the other ''art'' is just nonsense...and in that way it is also a comment on government.

[sapphireligh]

Gee soheylm, you want a society devoid of freedom and expression and creativity? Sounds more like you''d be better off living in that third world country.

[soheylm]

Mr Rooney,
You took the words right out of my mouth. I am with you all the way. I think they should melt all these garbage and donate the proceeds to a third world country. They should also evalute the artist to make sure he or she is sane.

[sapphireligh]

A few things:

The painted animals are great community pieces. I used to live in a town where they had them except they were cats, and there was different stories behind every painted sculpture, and different takes on creativity. It was always a joy seeing them and I don''t see why they''re a problem.

Two, "Tilted Arc" is more than just a leaning slab of metal. If you would''ve noticed the aerial shot, it was breaking up a space that looked like a spiral. The artist was experimenting with space and openness. It goes farther than the piece itself. This is why people need to think outside the box when they see something like "Tilted Arc" because it''s not "JUST" a slab of metal. Open your minds, people.

Also, many artists (such as Picasso whose name Andy butchered) start out as, yes, classicists, but they realize how confined that form of expression is (to please the masses, essentially), they move onto more expressionistic and abstract forms that most people don''t "get." However, I think that is an evolution, and abstract work is more interesting than a perfectly sculpted nude.

[shoshannahl]

Thank you, Andy! Those eye-sores have been getting under my skin for too long now. I thought there must be something wrong with ME that I didn''t like them. Now, at least I know if there''s something wrong with me, I''m not alone. I''m in good company.

[konkel1]

Bravo, and Amen to Andy Rooney''s art critique!!!