EP 184 . 15 Jul 20
I love this book called “What is art and 100 other very important questions.” by Ernst Billgren. One of the questions his book is, “Who decides whether art is good or not?” and then he has a nice format for the answer. “Short Answer: Glenn D. Lowry. ” And then a long answer. “Quality is a moniker for what the people you respect, appreciate. Even if you do not agree with them, there are those who you perceive as authorities in the field on account of their expertise, their position, or the respect they enjoy among their peers. Subsequently, what is considered geniality changes as those people are substituted? The Pre-Rafaelites were considered the best things that had happened in the art world, but well into the twentieth century nobody defended them any longer and their work was automatically devalued as passé. The paintings themselves did not change over time. Quality is a relative term in a similar way as Time (which feels absolutely in the present moment).”
Why am I talking about who decides whether art is good or not? – Today I have Ram Rahman with us on Audiogyan who needs no introduction. But just for formality, Ram is a photographer, curator, designer, activist, and a noted contemporary artist. based in Delhi.
With such a large body of work, it is impossible to document even a fraction of his thoughts, ideologies, and philosophies. However, I have decided to have a conversation about what is curation.