Revisiting The National Juried Exhibition of 2018

Eric Buechel
Feb 1, 2018
5 min read

Updated: May 5

*The Honeybee's Immeasurable Importance To Mankind, By Eric Buechel, 31" x 28.5"*

This is my submission for this year's exhibition, titled "The Honey Bees' Immeasurable Importance To Mankind." Created in mixed media in 2017, it measures 29.5" x 31.5" and features watercolor, ink, oil paint, acrylic, and wax on 500 lb. Arches Watercolor Paper (Details).

Many of Todays Juried Shows Are Unpredictable

Once more, I selected my favorite model, my wife, who is wearing the brightly colored turquoise socks. I placed the beekeepers in an unusual setting to emphasize the worldwide issue of colony collapse disorder. My wife and I enjoy managing and observing our own apiary on the Cumberland Plateau.

This blog was initially created in 2018, serving as a platform for my thoughts and reflections on the evolving landscape of contemporary art. However, after revisiting my writings from over seven years ago, I have come to a rather disheartening conclusion: contemporary art, in its current trajectory, seems to be heading in the wrong direction. It is increasingly evident to me that there is a growing trend among galleries and museums to showcase works that, in my opinion, lack the quality and depth that art should embody. For instance, in this May's edition of Artnews, there is an article titled "Top 200 Collectors and Arts Patrons Are Among the Consignors for This May’s New York Auctions," which prominently features a painting by the artist Dorothea Tanning.

One of her notable works, "On Time Off Time," created in 1948, is currently displayed in the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). To be candid, I wouldn't consider hanging such a piece in my home, nor do I believe it merits a place within the esteemed walls of any museum, especially one located in the vibrant and culturally rich city of New York. My critique of this artist may seem harsh, yet I feel it is necessary to express my disappointment. Perhaps art critics should engage in the act of painting themselves to cultivate a deeper understanding of the effort and emotional investment required in the creative process. There is a distinct difference between creating art and critiquing it; however, in my view, many art critics do not rise to the occasion.

This sentiment extends to numerous university art professors who teach conceptual art; I often perceive that many of them prefer to adhere to prevailing trends rather than challenge or question them. The age-old saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" has provided me with much to contemplate, particularly during my moments spent working in my greenhouse and planting seeds. After enjoying a cup of coffee, I took the time to delve into the concept of beauty as a subjective experience. I discovered that the phrase was first coined by Margaret Wolff Hungerford in her book "Molly Brown," where she introduced the idea that beauty is inherently subjective. This notion is echoed by the esteemed playwright William Shakespeare, who posited that "Beauty is bought by judgement of the eye." In the context of today's visual art landscape, it appears that our culture has come to accept a rather expansive definition of beauty, one that seems to encompass almost anything.

To illustrate this point, one might imagine an entire classical orchestra suddenly ceasing to play their instruments while a soprano lets out a piercing scream reminiscent of the avant-garde artist Yoko Ono, or envision a ballet dancer performing a traditional rendition of "The Nutcracker," only to unexpectedly break into a breakdancing routine. Such scenarios would hardly align with the conventional understanding of beauty, yet our contemporary culture seems conditioned to embrace the idea that anything can be deemed acceptable within the realm of visual art.

Reflecting on this further, I am reminded of the words of the French academic painter William-Adolphe Bouguereau, who once stated, "One has to seek Beauty and Truth, Sir! As I always say to my pupils, you have to work to the finish. There's only one kind of painting. It is the painting that presents the eye with perfection, the kind of beautiful and impeccable enamel you find in Veronese and Titian." Bouguereau’s assertion underscores the importance of striving for beauty and truth in art, suggesting that the pursuit of aesthetic perfection is not merely an option but a necessity for any serious artist. It is worth noting that almost everything surrounding us adheres to certain standards—whether in the realms of medicine, bridge building, or submarine manufacturing, there are established criteria that must be met to ensure quality and safety.

This brings forth an important question: what criteria should a painting or sculpture meet to be considered worthy of appreciation? Will art academics continue to follow the crowd, succumbing to the whims of contemporary trends, or will they have the courage to acknowledge that beauty, alongside skill, is an essential component of art? This past weekend, I stumbled upon a thought-provoking short video titled "Why is Modern Art so Bad?" I highly encourage you to take the time to watch it and reflect on your own feelings regarding art. You and I both understand the simple yet profound truth about beauty; it is something we encounter daily and everywhere—in the breathtaking splendor of nature, the mesmerizing colors of sunrises and sunsets, the cascading beauty of waterfalls, and the innocent eyes of children or the familiar faces of our loved ones. These moments remind us that beauty exists in a myriad of forms, and it is this beauty that we should seek to celebrate and preserve in the world of art.

In addition to the video Why is Modern Art so Bad please watch this video as well: Through The Eyes of The Artist: William Bouguereau With Felicia Zavarella Stadelman - Link

The National Juried Exhibition will take place from February 2-23, 2018 (Link)

The Juror: Jeffrey Morton, Professor of Art, Department Chair (Link) Jeffrey Morton's statement on art (Link)

Why is modern art so bad? (Five minute video)

Here's the list of the artists’ works on display at the juried exhibition: Link

Below, left to right are the winners of the Knoxville National Juried Exhibition of 2018.

Best of Show – “Forgotten Women #2” by Paula Campbell

Juror’s Citation – “Her hermetism was expansive and cordial.” by Michael Giles Juror’s Citation – “Untitled” by Hannah Rivers Best work by Arts & Culture Alliance member – “Dino Tea” by Brandon Lutterman

Bottom right corner: Juror Jeff Morton of Covenant College - Statement

Here is a video link I'd like to share with all of you interested in art. Modern art has put shock value over standards. What happened? Video Link