Monday, November 11, 2013

The Top Six in Art

Vanity Fair December 2013 issue
Vanity Fair polled 100 art-world insiders—mainly artists, professors of art, and curators—to name whom they consider to be the six most important living artists. Dealers and gallerists were not consulted, as they have vested (financial) interests in the livelihood of artists. The project intends to illustrate a moment in time —  What's interesting right now? And, why? Who were the top vote getters? 

VF asked 100 people which means there could have been 600 votes all told. But only 54 returned their ballots. The top vote-getter, Richter, received only 24 votes. Ellsworth Kelly received 10 votes. What does this mean for taste? for teaching? for making? 

The Most-Voted-for Artists


Gerhard Richter: 24 votes
Jasper Johns: 20 votes
Richard Serra: 19 votes
Bruce Nauman: 17 votes
Cindy Sherman: 12 votes
Ellsworth Kelly: 10 votes

Richard Serra's installation in Bilbao

In modern art we have talked about artists who break the rules. And that discussion has included the names of four of these six artists, with conversations yet to come.  Who would you include in your list of the Top Six?

6 comments:

Boris Zakic said...

"living" vs "present" is an interesting distinction as well. (borrowing from the discussions on "making art within context of studying art," at CAA in Feb and at SECAC last week). thanks!

Prof. Darrell Kincer said...

No Ai Weiwei?

Earl Grey said...

And, no Banksy or James Turrell either.

I would have thought that Marina Abramovic would have made the list given her pioneer performances and modes of visual inquiry.

I also would have liked to see Alfredo Jaar present on the list for his installations, films, and other pursuits that address issues of power and authority.

Unknown said...

http://www.artsjournal.com/realcleararts/2013/11/the-greatest-living-artists-according-to-vanity-fair-poll.html

Here is a review of that article... interesting!

Shelbs said...

Darrell, I absolutely agree with you. Especially having seen several of his works over the summer, I share your surprise.

Earl Grey said...

Another take on lists—ART 21 has drawn up and presented all 100 artists who have appeared on their shows over the past six years. See here:

http://www.art21.org/100artists/names


PBS bills these as "the most iconic artists of our time." Would you agree?