

Is politics killing art?
Dec 4, 2024
Freddy Gray chats with Dean Kissick, a journalist and author known for his insights into contemporary art. They dive into how political gestures have infiltrated the art world, often overshadowing true engagement with social issues. The conversation touches on the nostalgia gripping artists post-2017, as they grapple with the changing landscape. Dean also critiques the lack of conservative voices in art and advocates for a more experimental approach, addressing the tensions between digital influence and traditional craftsmanship.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Politicized Art
- Contemporary art has become overrun by superficial political gesturing, particularly in the non-profit sector.
- This includes a focus on identity, marginalized voices, and protest, but lacks real political impact.
Art and Liberalism
- This trend coincides with declining faith in liberalism and the perceived collapse of the liberal world order.
- Contemporary art, once thriving under globalization, now appears frivolous in this changing landscape.
Nostalgia in Art
- Contemporary art has become increasingly nostalgic, looking backward rather than engaging with the present.
- This nostalgia manifests in traditional aesthetics, mediums, and an interest in non-Western cultures to atone for past sins.