This is Miller's modus operandi: Have an opinion and then accept only the evidence that supports it.
So there are two crummy portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, and maybe they're just pieces that Miller alone doesn't like (reflecting additional selective evidence). Maybe he's wrong and the pieces are good (even if the donor knows the artist). What goes begging is a balanced discussion of the pros and cons, revealing his taste and at the same time justifying it with some concrete analysis. WC --- On Sat, 10/18/08, Chris Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > From: Chris Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: National Portrait Gallery > To: [email protected] > Date: Saturday, October 18, 2008, 7:43 AM > Very funny - but I don't think the concept of > "outsider artist" was raised by > anyone involved -- and the artist herself has never been > exhibited in that > kind of gallery. (even outsiders can become insiders) > > The only criteria that these sculptural portraits met, > besides being > inexpensive and done by an acquaintance of the donor, was > that they presented > a recognizable likeness -- as a plaster life-mask might > have done. > > Of course, this one episode could only be called anecdotal > evidence. > > Perhaps it was an anomaly that so little effort was made to > find high quality > work by the best known portrait sculptors. Certainly the > donor could have > afforded it - he is one of the wealthiest art collectors in > Chicago. > > But I doubt it -- because the arts of portraiture have been > so marginalized. > Where can one go to study them? > > > > ____________________________________________________________ > Click here to find the rental car that fits your needs. > http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2231/fc/Ioyw6ijmhQ3pU1kOIurDw6vLNl5xSX > 6YJysDvR4nVKXTNdvjfvy2Ty/
