Review THe Armory Show 2008

It was a maze of white walls with attention grabbing art tucked away or sometimes staring you down blatantly. The event was well organized, not realizing you could buy tickets on-line we waited about 20 minutes to get in. My original plan was to buy a book and run through the exhibit, I don't like to ponder over a black square for half an hour trying to decipher its meaning, I've taken enough art classes to figure out what it means and if its incorrect I will blame some art critic for steering me the wrong way.


Almost all of the art was resented through an art gallery with the main purpose to sell. In each station/room there were tables with the representatives sitting behind their mac books checking email, of course dressed in black and the managers running around trying to find out how many pieces were sold that day. I did not get to run through due to a compelling array of artwork, each time I thought I am in a curiosity free area, more fascinating art appeared. It was really an attack on my senses and a constant exercise for my brain.



Overall, for a commercial/capitalistic art event, I thought it was inspirational and fairly creative. I do feel that it did not live up to the name "Armory Show", it should of been called something else. The Armory show of 1913 brought modern art to America, it brought much needed inspiration and new thought. What I saw at this current exhibit was the same old repetitive work. A lot of it was pornographic. Really? Pornographic art is that popular? Its definitely not breakthrough. Its not innovative or inspiring. Might have been new at the beginning of last century at the old Armory show but this is 2008, try something else... Also you would think with all the technology available today... all the modern advances, it would be represented at the international art fair? There were a couple of LED pieces scattered about, but not enough to make me believe this is the representation of today. Art has always been at the frontier of innovation. Artist have embraced technology faster than any other group. It seemed at this event galleries chose pieces that will sell well and look good on the wall at oppose to taking a risk. There should be a venue for art that is no longer post-modern, I believe we are pass that. Let the armory show continue to represent post modern art after it changes it name. Because it should not carry a name that stands for change. If it continues to be "armory show" it should evolve and find artists of today who are breaking ground no with their use of oils and canvases but with led, digital interfaces, and laser. I'm sure there are ways to hang such art on the walls.