A few weeks ago we wrote about the young artist, Sala, who has created 1,000 paintings depicting the numbers “1” through “1000”, and has apparently found enough gullible buyers via the Internet to make some serious money with his project.
One Thousand Paintings:
http://www.onethousandpaintings.com/
Quite a few of our readers replied. Several wondered if we had lost our marbles...our at least our eye for art, obviously thinking that we admired Sala's art. Let us assure you, we do not. Whether we've lost our eye for art or not, we cannot say, but, it seems our point was missed. Our agenda that day was one of giggling and poking fun...As we said, Sala's "art" is ridiculous. Sala’s marketing is not too shabby. Since writing you about Sala, we’ve had the opportunity to read more about him in Wired magazine. Columnist Daniel H. Pink apparently could think of nothing clever to buy his wife for her 41st birthday. We would have suggested some real fine art or at least diamonds. But Mr. Pink instead contacted Sala and bought his wife number “41” for her birthday.
Paint by Numbers by Daniel H. Pink:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.12/posts.html?pg=3
In our humble opinion, he broke two cardinal rules of marriage and manhood. First, a wife’s birthday demands a more thoughtful gift than a number. And second, we all know that you never reveal your wife’s true age . . . perhaps he should have acquired number 29.
The most telling line of Mr. Pink’s article is the last, regarding Sala’s customs declaration, “For a work whose worth was $959 and that cost $575, Sala estimated the value of 41 at $40.”
Sincerely,
Clint Watson
Software Craftsman and Art Fanatic
Susan Maldonado wrote:
I totally agree with the artists that are criticizing and/or poking fun at this artist! What total insanity! And such an insult to true artists that are trying their hardest to get their paintings/artwork sold. Along comes this person who obviously has NO talent other than to pick a number and block it out carefully (I guess that might be called "talent.")on a canvas and its considered ART. What is it? Is it that the "artist" is so convincing and such a wonderful sales person that he can sell just about anything to anyone? Or is it the public that is so STUPID and GULLIBLE that they can be talked into buying just about anything, and be convinced that it is the best thing since sliced bread and needs to drain their wallets of all their money because its the newest, latest craze in the Art world... and they MUST have it!! ???
I know I am rambling here, but ever since Andy Warhol sold his can of Campbell's soup as a piece of art, I just don't get it! I have nothing against Andy, he did do many great paintings, and was a true artist! However, I really think that the crazier the art, the more it sells. I have come to that conclusion these days.
I also have nothing against abstract art either, in case anyone was wondering. Its just sometimes I don't get it... some of the really wild ones. But that's just me.
Anyway... sorry if I have offended anyone. I am sure that all of you out there that are abstract painters are good ones, and that your paintings have meaning to them. Somehow I don't believe that a number on a board is NOT art... are we in MATH class??? UGGGGGGGG!! Please... a nightmare to be sure!!