12. Art needs the story, does the story need art?

 

“The whole point of exhibitions

is to look at the art and form

opinions based on what you

see, feel, hear etc.

But I found I preferred the

buildings structure, the white

and steal lines – I found beautiful,

the cowboy boots walking by are

beautiful.”

 

“I’ve realised something. Sometimes the art alone isn't enough to make it beautiful. Sometimes hearing what the piece is about, hearing where it comes from is what makes it beautiful.

This might be why I have a problem with galleries. You look at the art and you're supposed to form your own opinion on it. This opinion is to be based solely on the aesthetics of it or perhaps a few words on a plaque next to the piece. I don't know what that means in the 'whole' of things, maybe it means that sometimes in galleries and exhibitions, the art isn't strong enough to support itself and the artist needs to be there to 'back it up'.” – Me, 2008.

 

I’ve dug this out, out of the archives of my soul because I just finished watching The Culture Show: Alive in the Face of Death, 2013, a documentary about Rankin’s new photography exhibition. The documentary was amazing, but it reminded me of 2008. Stood alone, the photos are incredible and beautiful but that’s all they are. With the documentary, the photographer explaining and the stories of all the people photographed, then each piece suddenly develops meaning. The whole show made me certain, that art needs the story, art and writing are linked, they need each other. It doesn’t matter if it’s merely the title of a piece, and essay about it, a documentary or even just a short commentary, art doesn’t stand alone, and neither does writing.