Comments on Something to get excited about, Guggenheim's Catherine Opie Mid-Career SurveyTypePad2008-07-03T14:17:08ZMAO - Modern Art Obsessionhttps://modernartobsession.blogs.com/modern_art_obsession/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://modernartobsession.blogs.com/modern_art_obsession/2008/07/something-to-get-excited-about-guggenheims-catherine-opie-mid-career-survey/comments/atom.xml/Sandy Uskhie commented on 'Something to get excited about, Guggenheim's Catherine Opie Mid-Career Survey'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451694c69e200e554d98a9b88332008-09-02T09:57:37Z2008-09-02T09:57:37ZSandy UskhieCatherine Opie is a remarkable person and photographer. I have known her since her childhood years and she has always...<p>Catherine Opie is a remarkable person and photographer.<br />
I have known her since her childhood years and she<br />
has always shown great kindness and enthusiasm toward<br />
those around her. Her work pleases the eye while setting<br />
my mind in motion. I relate her work to the great French<br />
impressionist era of painting.</p>
<p><br />
</p>for the record commented on 'Something to get excited about, Guggenheim's Catherine Opie Mid-Career Survey'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451694c69e200e553fd97b188342008-08-13T08:23:30Z2008-08-13T08:23:31Zfor the recordhere is some information people really need to know: Lets just kill this rumor of copying (stupid idea in art)...<p>here is some information people really need to know:</p>
<p>Lets just kill this rumor of copying (stupid idea in art) and get some things straight with a true timeline.</p>
<p>True: Catherine Opie was a teacher to Mark Wyse at Yale, but do you know that Mark Wyse printed her Surfer series in Los Angeles. By coincidence he was also photographing surfers at the same time. Again completely different images and pure coincidence.</p>
<p>True: Catherine Opie made images of Ice Houses in 2000-2001 in Minnesota. She proposed the work to The Walker in 1999 with that concept as an ongoing series for "American Cities". Scott Peterman was also photographing at the same time. Again coincidence and her images are completely different, it is about the panorama and landscape. Scott's work is also landscape but you engage with the images in relationship to portraiture more so than landscape.</p>
<p> Catherine Opie as said on another blog did not wander the halls at Yale and find his work to copy. </p>
<p>Brian Finke did make photographs of football players, but Catherine Opie also photographed football players in 1985 and then returned to it as she often does in her work. Again it is completely different work.</p>
<p>This is "for the record"</p>
<p>She is truly a unique artist and I think many of you probably will see something completely different if you go see the work. Maybe you won't, but just know that these petty and uninformed and at times rude comments are ill informed, it proves you have not done any thoughtful research on her work. Hope you do.</p>Kate commented on 'Something to get excited about, Guggenheim's Catherine Opie Mid-Career Survey'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451694c69e200e55392ee1088332008-07-10T12:44:18Z2008-07-10T12:44:18ZKatehttp://www.katekretz.comAre these ARTISTS who are making comments that are so steeped in pedestrian, conventional standards of beauty? (Um, that's one...<p>Are these ARTISTS who are making comments that are so steeped in pedestrian, conventional standards of beauty? (Um, that's one of the points of the images??) If so, better give it up and find a new line of work, guys... </p>Aaron commented on 'Something to get excited about, Guggenheim's Catherine Opie Mid-Career Survey'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451694c69e200e55389ae2388332008-07-06T02:55:27Z2008-07-06T02:55:27ZAaronhttp://www.aaronkrach.comOh please stop. Well, i'm going to hope two things: A) people talk out of their ass when they're commenting...<p>Oh please stop. Well, i'm going to hope two things: A) people talk out of their ass when they're commenting online. They say things they would never dream of saying in person. So "Old Spice" should be taken with a few grains of salt. </p>
<p>B) As sad as it is to see such vociferous venom about a photographer... No one should take anything that's been said here so far seriously. </p>
<p>Catherine's football pictures are nothing like Finke's. And that's just one example not worth pointing out. Everyone is influenced by everything and everyone in a cycle of creation and homage and counterfeit and copying and exceeding and sometimes not. </p>
<p>Other thoughts: Opie's work is deceiving. Sometimes it looks like nothing. I remember the long-distance shots of surfers in the ocean at the Whitney Biennial. I thought they were uninteresting. Then I saw a few again just this year at the MCA in Chicago. Amongst sculpture and video and installations from the "collection" they looked completely different and minimal and a bit Pop...sort of Richard MIsrach meets "The O.C." and I was perplexed. </p>
<p>As for attractiveness: What are you going to say next, that John Coplans looks like an elephant so his pictures "suck," too?</p>
<p>Anyway: Thanks Mike for giving us something to look forward to this fall. The show, and the "aftermath" conversation online. </p>
<p>cheers, AA</p>
<p><br />
</p>Mike @ MAO commented on 'Something to get excited about, Guggenheim's Catherine Opie Mid-Career Survey'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451694c69e200e553a445df88342008-07-05T15:38:03Z2008-07-06T14:32:42ZMike @ MAOhttp://www.Modernartobsession.blogs.comThanks for all the sincere comments, but MAO's a bit surprised with the shear venom toward Catherine Opie, personally and...<p>Thanks for all the sincere comments, but MAO's a bit surprised with the shear venom toward Catherine Opie, personally and her photographic art. </p>
<p>Ariel.. MAO gets excited anytime a living contemporary photographer EVER gets a major show at a NYC museum. Add in the fact that it's the first major NYC show by a living OUT proud lesbian woman, and it's a win win!</p>
<p> It's amazing that just a simple MAO show announcement post about Catherine Opie has provoked such a contentious debate before the exhibition opens. Isn't this exactly what a great museum should hope to do? MAO would say the Guggenheim's show has already succeeded! NO? </p>
<p><br />
</p>ariel commented on 'Something to get excited about, Guggenheim's Catherine Opie Mid-Career Survey'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451694c69e200e55387bd7b88332008-07-04T22:56:55Z2008-07-04T22:56:55ZarielIt seems it takes very little to get MAO excited-cutting edge of what ? And all that blather about the...<p> It seems it takes very little to<br />
get MAO excited-cutting edge of what ? And all that blather about<br />
the works and then dragging in Holbein as comparison -only a <br />
wretched auction house would go <br />
that route of used car salesmen.The Guggenheims'reputation isn't worth a spit in the ocean .</p>Art Old Spice commented on 'Something to get excited about, Guggenheim's Catherine Opie Mid-Career Survey'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451694c69e200e553a26d1488342008-07-04T17:47:01Z2008-07-04T17:47:01ZArt Old SpiceIf I said she was an acne-scarred golem-like homunculus, but damn is she a GREAT photographer, then I doubt you'd...<p>If I said she was an acne-scarred golem-like homunculus, but damn is she a GREAT photographer, then I doubt you'd think my critique of her appearance negates my opinion of her art. And I'll admit, if she looked like Lara Logan I might enjoy her art more (though I'd keep the derivative comments to myself). Mona Kuhn stinks too, but she's hot! Opie's mainly gotten a free ride in the art world because she's an LGTB poster child/fave of other gay/lesbian art critics, curators and boosters such as Tyler Green, etc. But don't worry, my opinion of her will have no affect on the art world machine that's already in place. Heck, Jerry Saltz has been trying to kill off Marlene Dumas' career for years to no avail.</p>Art Brute commented on 'Something to get excited about, Guggenheim's Catherine Opie Mid-Career Survey'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451694c69e200e55386ec6f88332008-07-04T15:07:56Z2008-07-04T15:07:56ZArt Brute1. It's a post on a 'blog' and you're telling me have class? And your opinion of class is equivalent...<p>1. It's a post on a 'blog' and you're telling me have class? And your opinion of class is equivalent to showing praise? We'd get very far in art if no one was ever critical right?</p>
<p>Her images are completely forgettable and this photographer has a show at a major institution while many other great artists won't ever get a show of this caliber. Why should I be happy about that? (And I don't care what she looks like) </p>
<p><br />
2. And Lisa I have to say motorcycles are gorgeous machines. I'd go back in a second to see them over going to see Opie.</p>Lisa Hunter commented on 'Something to get excited about, Guggenheim's Catherine Opie Mid-Career Survey'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451694c69e200e55386ceb888332008-07-04T13:12:56Z2008-07-04T13:12:56ZLisa Hunterhttp://howtobuyart.blogspot.comWhatever one thinks about Opie's work, it's great news that the Guggenheim is paying attention to contemporary photography, rather than,...<p>Whatever one thinks about Opie's work, it's great news that the Guggenheim is paying attention to contemporary photography, rather than, say, motorcycles. </p>Edward_ commented on 'Something to get excited about, Guggenheim's Catherine Opie Mid-Career Survey'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451694c69e200e553a2010988342008-07-04T12:32:22Z2008-07-04T12:32:22ZEdward_Whatever happened to the day when grace and manners dictated that you said you were happy for someone when they...<p>Whatever happened to the day when grace and manners dictated that you said you were happy for someone when they got recognition after years of hard work? So it's not your particular favorite...why all the bile? Clearly enough other people love C.O.'s work to make this exhibition possible and exciting...including the host of the blog you're on. </p>
<p>This is not your living room or a bar. Show some class.</p>
<p>Also, tying how you feel about someone's looks to their art is sophmoric and more or less invalidates the rest of your opinion about the work as well, as it demonstrates a severe lack of objectivity, not to mention a severe lack of openmindedness.</p>
<p>I look forward to seeing the exhibition and seeing what a survey of C.O.'s work will teach me. Approaching the exhibition with one's mind made up beforehand is to deny oneself that possibility. </p>
<p>Indeed, any other response to this news seems petty, boorish, and mindlessly jealous. </p>Art Brute commented on 'Something to get excited about, Guggenheim's Catherine Opie Mid-Career Survey'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451694c69e200e553a1344088342008-07-03T23:07:55Z2008-07-03T23:07:55ZArt BruteI have not ever seen a single photograph by Opie that I've ever thought was an unforgettable image, nor have...<p>I have not ever seen a single photograph by Opie that I've ever thought was an unforgettable image, nor have I seen anything by Opie that I think is a great addition and adds anything of value to the current state of art in our times. Nor have I ever seen a photograph by her that I thought 'yup, that's an Opie.' Maybe there's something going on conceptually that I just don't get? But I doubt it.<br />
</p>Art Old Spice commented on 'Something to get excited about, Guggenheim's Catherine Opie Mid-Career Survey'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451694c69e200e553a0c0ed88342008-07-03T18:40:43Z2008-07-03T18:40:43ZArt Old SpiceI know it was a cruel remark, but I just can't stand obese women...it's probably something Freudian, but I value...<p>I know it was a cruel remark, but I just can't stand obese women...it's probably something Freudian, but I value them less as human beings...something about having no will power and/or respect from themselves - and it's unhygienic. So shoot me. As noted above, Opie borrowed the football player typology idea from Finke...IMO. Ditto Scott Peterman's Ice Houses and Mark Wyse's ocean photos. Usually the student copies the teacher, not the other way around. (Plus, Opie's football series was one of the most boring things I've ever seen.) Looking at that big Jabba the Hut mound of carved flesh holding the baby is as horrific as any nightmare scene Clive Barker could have come up with!</p>Ruben commented on 'Something to get excited about, Guggenheim's Catherine Opie Mid-Career Survey'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451694c69e200e55384cc3888332008-07-03T16:18:51Z2008-07-03T16:18:51ZRubenhttp://ARTmostfierce.blogspot.comLet the fireworks begin before July 4th ! As far as I know everything in ART is done by now...<p>Let the fireworks begin before July 4th !</p>
<p>As far as I know everything in ART is done by now and there is nothing wrong with re-interpretation, reference or being influenced by another artist's work as long as there is an individual interpretation of it.</p>
<p>Judging an artist by their looks comes across rather shallow. If the work is not your style and not pleasant to your eye ...don't buy it or look at it.Then again if the work and the artist is causing such reaction and emotion...something must be working!</p>
<p>Ok, Miss Fire-Crackers...chill out and enjoy the ho ho holiday!</p>
<p><br />
<br />
</p>mike @ MAO commented on 'Something to get excited about, Guggenheim's Catherine Opie Mid-Career Survey'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451694c69e200e55384b75888332008-07-03T15:40:28Z2008-07-03T15:40:28Zmike @ MAOhttp://www.ModernArtObsession.blogs.comThanks for the comments.. But Art Old Spice.. what are you talking about?? Please explain? What has Catherine Opie "Stolen"...<p>Thanks for the comments..</p>
<p>But Art Old Spice.. what are you talking about?? Please explain?</p>
<p>What has Catherine Opie "Stolen" from Brian Finke? I like Brian Finke's work very much, but I don't see a strong conection. </p>
<p>As for the "unattractive artist.." that statement just reeks of total jealousy, prejudice, hate and ignorance...why go there?</p>Snappy commented on 'Something to get excited about, Guggenheim's Catherine Opie Mid-Career Survey'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451694c69e200e553a035d988342008-07-03T15:24:32Z2008-07-03T15:24:32ZSnappyDoes art really matter if the artist is attractive or not? Catherine Opie is a brilliant artist. Who is really...<p>Does art really matter if the artist is attractive or not? Catherine Opie is a brilliant artist. Who is really so original nowadays? Some Cindy Sherman pieces were inspired by Hans Bellmer. The Bechers were influenced by Renger-Patsch and Blossfledt. Opie's work has much diff feeling and deeper than Brian Finke's football series. <br />
If you don't get her work, that can't be helped. To each his own. </p>Art Old Spice commented on 'Something to get excited about, Guggenheim's Catherine Opie Mid-Career Survey'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451694c69e200e55384a56e88332008-07-03T15:12:24Z2008-07-03T15:12:24ZArt Old SpiceI'd love to put on a companion exhibition and catalog of every other photographer that Catherine Opie has literally copied...<p>I'd love to put on a companion exhibition and catalog of every other photographer that Catherine Opie has literally copied and stolen from during her career. In addition to being the most unattractive artist EVER, she has nary an original thought in her head and never acknowledges the work she has stolen from -- whether Mark Wyse, Scott Peterman, Brian Finke -- the woman has no honor.</p>