My response to "The Great Resurgence of Academic Art" by F. Scott Hess
The “Great Resurgence of Academic Art” by F. Scott Hess sheds an interesting light on arts education and the resulting spoils in the galleries and museums. His version of art history does seem a bit idealized. Like many stories I've heard told about the 60's being a time of free love. The eighties being a fruitful time for cultural funding. When viewed in a broader context. There has never been a truly accessible time for students of the arts or their kitsch communities (i.e. Greenberg's "peasants of the world"). Opportunity and mobility have always been exclusive to the compassionate Protogenoi and their faithful mascots slithering up the golden ladder to entertain in the clouds.
Picasso is a wonderful example of this in terms of how we reflect and value art and artists of the past. He, was culturally groomed and prepared for greatness as a young child. History reflects on the artist as a genius and a master whom showed a passion and “natural” skill for painting and drawing from the age of six. Truly an idealized reflection for all to consume and for some to choke upon.
The skills and the discipline do take a distant second to the artificial insertion of subjective, academic and political dogma. This is true for not only undergraduate, MFA, but also in most single subject in art teaching programs. Which are very similar to any other type of credential. In the end, even artists find it difficult to take any art department seriously. Thus the constant need for explanation.
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