Survey shows most popular art , size , style??

thecatsgrin · Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 2181 Location: Gippsland

This was interesting.
Russian emigrant artist team Vitaly Komar and Alex Melamid. The Most Wanted paintings, as well as the Least Wanted paintings, reflect the artists' interpretation of a professional market research survey about aesthetic preferences and taste in painting. Intending to discover what a true "people's art" would look like, the artists, with the support of the Nation Institute, hired Marttila & Kiley, Inc. to conduct the first poll. In 1994, they began the process which resulted in America's Most Wanted and America's Least Wanted paintings, which were exhibited in New York at the Alternative Museum under the title "People's Choice."
http://awp.diaart.org/km/index.html

Tango · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1360 Location: Melbourne

There seems to be a bit of a pattern there ie tree on the right and a lump of hill or trees on the left , I'll follow that system with my next 10 paintings and see how I go or I will move to Holland they seem easily pleased there Very Happy

Forgot to mention the water , that's why Daniels on a winner...

thecatsgrin · Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 2181 Location: Gippsland

and what is with those deers floating on the water... Laughing

Tango · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1360 Location: Melbourne

I remember one of these surveys some time ago which found the most the popular painting was of a road in a rural setting with a few trees,,the road travelled down the centre of the painting and vanished in the distance

The Pook · Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 2904 Location: Tasmania

No surprises there, except perhaps for Holland and Italy. Maybe because both those places have such a surfeit of traditional paintings they prefer more abstract or Modern? But generally speaking, most non-artists prefer traditional or realist paintings. That's obviously the case here too - you've only got to look at the People's choices and Packing Room award for the Archibald to know that.

It raises all sorts of questions about elitism in Art of course. I generally paint realist paintings (or semi-impressionist), but I have often found myself defending a Modern or Abstract or 'Contemporary' (Whatever that means) work to non-artistic friends who "just can't see anything in it" or say things like "it's not art" or "my kindergarten child could do better." Am I being an elitist at that point, thinking I know better than the "great unwashed" unpainting masses who have no understanding of the "finer principles" of various genres? Are we arguing for Absolutism in Art - that some things are brilliant and artistic even if only 1% of the population think so? That there is such a thing as Intrinsic beauty (or artistic merit or whatever you want to call it)? It raises all kinds of interesting problems.

The Pook · Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 2904 Location: Tasmania

...oh and the other thing that comes out of that survey is that the Rubik's cube is obviously not popular in Germany... Laughing

Natalie Richy · Joined: 18 Feb 2010 Posts: 16

Scientists from Arizona discovered that scientists from Kansas don’t exist...

Devilbiss · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 3214

Devilbiss · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 3214

gggraph

.. and there are two kinds of people: those that divide things into two kinds and those that don't.

I would like to know the methodology of the survey (I used to work in market research, when I wasn't seeking out the forces of darkness and trying to join their hellish crusade.) Clearly the 'Most wanted" pix are related, as are the 'Least Wanted". Were the sample group asked to choose from a selection of images, or asked to nominate images of their choice?

Also 'wanted' is a very broad term - does it mean "oer, that's orright" or does it mean "honey, sell the kids, I HAVE to own that piece of art".

Greg raises some interesting points: for my part, I've always been very clear that my opinions are based on what I LIKE: something may obviously very well executed, but I don't like it (Like listening to Yngwie Malmsteen). That doesn't mean it isn't art, or has no worth. The dreaded "I dunno anyfing about art, but I knows what I like" approach IS a legitimate viewpoint and needs to be respected.

That was a remarkably articulate outburst for this time of night.

Cheers

Grant

The Pook · Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 2904 Location: Tasmania

The Pook · Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 2904 Location: Tasmania

thecatsgrin · Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 2181 Location: Gippsland

I need a glass of red!

Grant, finally I have met someone else that has heard of Yngwie Malmsteen, I have always appreciated what he can do with a guitar...but I would rather do dishes than listen to him ...

I think the survey is a funny thing. Statistics are used to describe alot of things but are really only representative of a small proportion of the population.
For all we know the survey may have been conducted on half blind Nursing home residents!!
I cant imagine anyone hanging the suggested 'perfect' works of art in their homes, unless they were going all out for the bad taste kitch theme... floating hover deers.... Shocked

Maybe... a nursing home for the half blind!!

Natalie... love your comment! Laughing

At first glance I thought it was a parody of the 'myth busters'....

The Pook · Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 2904 Location: Tasmania

gggraph