What is Art?

There is an exhibit in the "Museum of Modern Art" in Klagenfurt.
Its title "White Cube Jesus" intrigued me, so I drove the 60 km in order to view this work.
This Museum is beautifully situated in a former Palace which includes a Christian Chapel.
This is what I found:
In the chapel, which contains no benches or other furnishings, there is a large "white cube", with the front wall missing, brilliantly lit from the inside.
The Artist is one Ms. Sonja Gangl. Her work is described in an accompanying brochure as "concentrated, focused, reductive and minimal."
I find it difficult to become enthusiastically moved, although it is suggested that this "puristic white cuboid may be interpreted at once as a sculpture, stage set, and theatrical framework..... "
indeed, within this "cuboid" a theatre piece was performed, called: "Nipple Jesus".
Unfortunately, not having seen it,  I have no idea what this drama was all about.

The question raises itself: Is this a "work of art?"
It certainly is a white cuboid, placed almost as a challenge into the baroque-style, ecclesiastical surrounding and thusly urges the viewer to contemplate specifically this work and generally the question of Art.
Maybe the concept of "Art" can only be found, as I said in an earlier piece, in the discussion about the fundamental question: "What is Art?"
Compare Albrecht Dürer's  "Young Hare" or L.d.V's. "Last Supper" with Sonja Gangls "White Cube Jesus."
Can it be said that these are just different kinds of Art?
Maybe?

"White Cube Jesus"

an Installation by Sonja Gangl"

in the "Burgkapelle"

at the Museum of Modern Art in Klagenfurt.

... taken from the Choir Loft of the Chapel.

( unfortunately a somewhat less than perfect exposure does not show

details, such as where the joints of the inside of this cube appear.

there is, of course, a floor, side walls and a back wall 

which appear here as a single white surface.)

The Melodies - 1949/50

This Septett was known as "The Melodies"

They played in various locations in "Upper Austria" and "Bavaria"

The Melodies cropped.

Long long ago

47 years ago, in 1969,  a Soccer Team of players under the age of 16 won the North York, East Division, League Championship.
Many games of hard work, dedication and the will to win brought these boys to this illustrious point.

Had I not found my old jacket with this emblem affixed to it, I would not have remembered this thrilling day.  I had the unbridled honour and pleasure of coaching these lads to this final victory.

We, Willowdale United, Bantam Team, were in first place, but only by one point. Had we not won this game and second place "Lansing S.C." had won theirs, we would have had the dubious pleasure of being the runner-up, or, as we said in those times, we would have been "the first loser".
So now, Let's hear it for "Willowdale United"...

                                                              the Winners of the 

        1969 North York, East Division, Bantam Championship!

Sounds mighty impressive... doesn't it ?

gratefully yours

Bert Reitter

Coach

Advent Singers

The mixed Choir of Bleiburg

sings Songs of Advent

in the "Peter and Paul Church"

Modest Christmas decoration

on the 10. Oktoberplatz,

Bleiburg's main street.

Santa in Disguise

Since he did not wish to be recognized, Santa shaved his beard and dressed much like a way-out-in-the-country farmer near Bleiburg would. He got rid of his silly red outfit. He also exchanged his Reindeer- pulled sleigh for a 1952 green "Volkswagen."
Thusly attired, Santa Claus came to Bleiburg, looking just like farmer Radocher, and everybody who saw him on that day, fell for this clever camouflage.
I found one thing a little strange: Santa "sold" his Christmas trees for 10 Euros per foot.

Art, Art and Art again

I decided that my "terrific work of Art" needs a little more colour. So I dipped into the pail which had "Red" written on it. I dabbed some of that on my "terrific work of Art" in the hope that my admiring public will appreciate even more "my terrific work of Art." One of my Gallery owners wrote some words, typically applied to "terrific works of Art" as follows:
" Once again we stand in Awe, with a capital A, in front of Bert's unbelievably expressive "terrific work of Art". We can only be astonished at the depth of the deep expressions given to this "terrific work of Art" by the sensitivity of the brush stroke, particularly of the brush stroke leading the viewers eye from the left to the right side of this "terrific work of Art". The subtle change from the yellow element to the brilliant red constituency soothes the eye and the soul of the viewer in a manner which can only be achieved by an accomplished artist, such as Bert, the creator of this and many other "terrific works of Art". 

signed: Gallery Owner ( who hopes to split the proceeds of the Sale of this "terrific work of Art" on a 50/50 basis. )

Art for Art's Sake

As you can see, I have joined the ranks of the "modern artist."

I have taken a piece of fabric

and have spilled some coloured material upon it.

Once it dries, I will put it in a frame and hang it onto a wall.

As soon as I can think of a fancy name for it,

I will also think of a fancy price.

If you can think of a fancy name for it

I will go 50/50 with you.