So I wrote about the Station Museum yesterday. And promised a report. Well Mrs. Oilman and I thought it might be good to head out from the Oilman Compound for an hour or three. Hit the magazine store (Yes. Really. A store dedicated to nothing but magazines). And then off to the local pub for a brew, a snack and some reading.
But then there was the issue proposed last evening concerning the Station Museum. A personal visit was in order.
The Mrs. and I loaded up in the petromuncher and proceeded to said facility. About a five minute drive from the compound. Pulled up. Realized the digital cameras were left behind. Dammit.
There's a 'statue' made of missiles on the driveway/parking area. Spells out USA. Painted non milspec camo. Fairly amusing, actually.
Go inside. Place is empty. Cool. Get to see things without interference.
This is a new space. Can smell it. It's actually quite nice.
The 'artwork', however, had a lot to be desired.
Ilkka Uimonen is first. A collection of contextless photographs. No dates, titles, no nothing. Pedestrian for the most part. Taken in Iraq (before, during and after the arrival of the Americans) the lack of context leaves this display utterly meaningless. A photo of a child's bandaged legs. Is this before, during, or after the arrival of the Americans? Of course this is not revealed and this is intentional. Forcing the viewer to conclusions based on pretext ( the title of the show) and image. The basest level of propaganda. And Mr. Uimonen has received an award or two. And he works for Newsweek. I stopped reading Newsweek when I was in high school (parents subscribed) because I knew it was crap back then. Obviously it still is.
Paul Fusco's 'Fallen Soldier' work is interesting in it's intent (by the artist) and it's impact (the audience, in this case Mr. & Mrs. Oilman). This set of photos is a documentary of a fallen Patriot returning home to Dover AFB. To be reunited with his or her family once more before being interned. The Pentagon and the Administration properly shut down media access to this private event.
Mr. Fusco doesn't think it should be private. Doesn't realize the reason for shutting down media access. To disallow naked politicization of a soldier's death. Which our current media would do night and day.
Mr. Fusco ignores this decency. This respect for those who FIGHT for this country, But in his ignorance, at least in this exhibit, he fails. I followed the unlabeled photos from Dover to parade to internment. The quiet and solemn decency exhibited in the Church of the fallen, the common man on the street, the family. I respect this fallen soldier I respect these common people on the street. I respect the Pentagon representatives doing their most difficult work. Every American Soldier lost is a tragedy. Exploiting it for propaganda purposes is crass. And despicable.
The invite had a print from Richard Mock. There was quite a representation of Mr. Mock's work available for viewing. I liked one of his pieces. I'm sure my vision for that work would have churned his stomach. But I also had those mighty capitalistic dollars to spend. Not today. Not here.
I was right about Mr. Mock. Seems he shows up in the New York Times (all the news we see fit to manipulate) on a regular basis. His themes at the show were fairly common leftist themes. Enron, Oil, Bush is an Idiot, Capitalists are Evil, same old crap. Luckily, Mrs. Oilman has carved linocut blocks. She was wholly unimpressed by Mr. Mocks's craftsmanship. "He must be making one of these a day" was here comment. Cranking them out, as it were. Capitalising. Oooh, that' an evil world, isn't it, Mr. Mock? I won't wait for an answer.
Unfortunately for Mr. Mock, a TRUE artist was on display at the Station Museum. And he was a propagandist. A damn good one. José Guadalupe Posada was masterful in his creations. A display of his handiwork in this environment only shows the pathetic nature of 'dissent' today. These posters from the early 1900's are magnificent. This is a graphic artist in complete command of his medium. Unfortunately for Mr. Mock, there were some carved block posters in this display. They make Mr. Mock look like an amateur. Presence says it all. The eye. Content is one thing ( and most likely the main thing) but craftsmanship and skill SHOULD be a major part of an artist's work. Posada vs. Mock? I shouldn't have asked the question.
And now for Mr. Oilman's biggest beef. I knew what I would be seeing at the Station Museum. Based only on invites. Far left wing oriented propaganda, masquerading as art. Their mission statement is fairly innoucuous:
"The Station is a private institution dedicated to contemporary art. It is an exhibition forum for local, national, and international artists. Its emphasis is on fine arts and artists that are rarely, if ever acknowledged by other cultural institutions. The museum's goal is to encourage the public's awareness of the cultural, political, economic, and personal dimensions of art."
Seeing the invites I've declined to acknowledge, and the content of this show, their mission statement is a lie. This organization defines itself by art. Their shows are not about art. They are about political protest. The Posadada prints proved this. They are aestheticaly stellar compared to all else on display. Oh. By the way. Consevatives (or even moderates) need not apply.
Please visit Station Museum. Absorb it. Learn the difference betwen art and propaganda. Leave enlightened. Don't expect me back.
P.S.. As an afterthought, I need to some investigative research. Who funds this place? Artists are notoriously poor cheap bastards until they get a grant or proffessorship (know this from experience). So who's paying for this crap? Mad Oilman will investigate. Future report to follow.
