I can't stop thinking that line: "The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one."
These legends are made and hyped by the people in the art world who will make money off of his death. It is extremely disingenuous.
But, if it makes things better for his daughter, I guess I'm cool with it. Who cares, right? Now he can be whatever people tells her he was. At least she can have a "genius" father instead of a kinda sad heroin addict.
"Condemnations of Dash Snow as a hipster fuck-off are bound to fade away, leaving only the picture of the soul of an artist. That's how legends—and fortunes—get made in the art world."
Mmm.. dunno about that. One of the two galleries who rep him in Berlin (Peres Projects) is pretty much the joke of the Berlin art scene—they push artists universally ignored by the $ERIOUS art trade here, and tend to wallpaper the town with "guerilla posters" publicizing their next show. Its roster of artists has minimal traction with powerhouse collectors, who (more so than the hyperbole-happy art criticism racket), set the tone for the perception, and market value, of an artist. Also, to my knowledge, although Snow’s work has been showcased in some significant museums in the U.S. and Europe, none have actually acquired his pieces (yet).
Feel sorry he died too soon in tragic circumstances, but believe he never said anything that hadn’t already been said, and better, by others. His overall output was derivative in concept and execution, hermetic, self-indulgent, childishly provocative, etc. Sophie Calle he wasn’t. He did take a few photographs that are beautiful, but.. doubt it that’ll be enough to secure him a spot in the firmament of influential contempo artists.
@Stream Of Consciousness: it's not as easy as that. there are indications that he was in fact trying to get help, and comments like this only help stigmatize the problem and polarize everyone.
It looks to me like people are still divided about him, his legacy, his personality, his contribution to art and the world. Not unique or surprising. Why some are condemned for their thoughts on this topic, is.
No offense tho, HamNo. It was never personal. And I still think Chaka Zulu would baste William Wallace's ass in Deadliest Warrior, claymore aside. We'll always have Spike TV, you and me.
Would you not call this a condemnation of the "not-give-a-fuck" lifestyle/scene? Maybe if you give a fuck, you'd live longer (and be more productive). Living longer helps both your goals as an artist and as a human. Wiping out at 27 means that everyone will now buy your shit mostly because they feel sorry for the way you went out.
(whether or not you think the artist would actually want that to happen depends on your level of cynicism.)
There is no comparison to Basquiat other than being into heroin and dying young.
Basquiat left behind a huge body of work in a short time and was a working artist even though he partied.
Dash Snow was a partying artist that did work occasionally and not even great work at that. Just because an artist is dead it doesn't always mean their work becomes more valuable.
I didn't realize that Snow's grandfather is Robert Thurman, Uma's dad. Wiki says that makes Uma his aunt; is there such a thing as a half-aunt? (His mother is Uma's half-sister.)
I don't get the Basquiat connection apart from the fact that Snow also was introduced to the public as a graffiti artist, had not a small drug problem, and died aged 27. Their differences in class, birthright (for lack of a better word), and-- dare I say-- brilliance and raw talent seem to be much greater.
That being said, The Independent's and The Guardian's estimations of Snow's postmortem fame and legacy reintroduce the rhetorical question of how much of the remembrance of one's life depends on how quickly he/she burned out. As a professor, I can't help but wonder whether Snow will find his way into later textbooks. And also whether it would be because of his death, his art, or his enchanted circle.
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2. I'm not sad.
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But, if it makes things better for his daughter, I guess I'm cool with it. Who cares, right? Now he can be whatever people tells her he was. At least she can have a "genius" father instead of a kinda sad heroin addict.
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Mmm.. dunno about that. One of the two galleries who rep him in Berlin (Peres Projects) is pretty much the joke of the Berlin art scene—they push artists universally ignored by the $ERIOUS art trade here, and tend to wallpaper the town with "guerilla posters" publicizing their next show. Its roster of artists has minimal traction with powerhouse collectors, who (more so than the hyperbole-happy art criticism racket), set the tone for the perception, and market value, of an artist. Also, to my knowledge, although Snow’s work has been showcased in some significant museums in the U.S. and Europe, none have actually acquired his pieces (yet).
Feel sorry he died too soon in tragic circumstances, but believe he never said anything that hadn’t already been said, and better, by others. His overall output was derivative in concept and execution, hermetic, self-indulgent, childishly provocative, etc. Sophie Calle he wasn’t. He did take a few photographs that are beautiful, but.. doubt it that’ll be enough to secure him a spot in the firmament of influential contempo artists.
07/15/09
Though it is a tragedy that he is dead, time can't change this guy's collective body of work into something good.
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No offense tho, HamNo. It was never personal. And I still think Chaka Zulu would baste William Wallace's ass in Deadliest Warrior, claymore aside. We'll always have Spike TV, you and me.
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(whether or not you think the artist would actually want that to happen depends on your level of cynicism.)
07/15/09
Basquiat left behind a huge body of work in a short time and was a working artist even though he partied.
Dash Snow was a partying artist that did work occasionally and not even great work at that. Just because an artist is dead it doesn't always mean their work becomes more valuable.
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Wrong. Leaving only his "legitimately good but not brilliant to outright corny" art.
07/15/09
That being said, The Independent's and The Guardian's estimations of Snow's postmortem fame and legacy reintroduce the rhetorical question of how much of the remembrance of one's life depends on how quickly he/she burned out. As a professor, I can't help but wonder whether Snow will find his way into later textbooks. And also whether it would be because of his death, his art, or his enchanted circle.