In the wake of the Frieze Art Fair in New York, we tried to make sense of the overwhelming amount of mirrored objects, food sculptures and shelving units masquerading as art. We don't know about you, dear readers, but we find the emperor's new clothes effect to be highly troubling.
Last year, we questioned the readymade resurgence at Frieze, and this year we're asking similar questions about the state of the art world. There were, of course, some wonderful works on view at the fair this year -- Cornelia Parker's flattened teapots made us want to tug their strings and Gavin Kenyon's furry, grotesque blobs at Ramiken Crucible made us shudder -- but in the slideshow below we want to take aim at the works that made us apoplectic with rage.
As the art market soars and artists and galleries cash in on ridiculous trends, Andy Warhol's line rings true for many: "Good business is the best art." But as the artist Alex Katz told Jerry Saltz in New York Magazine, "Weak people are corrupted by money. If you're strong, you're after something else."
Really?!
Brad Pitt Gazes At A Shoe Rack(01 of10)
Open Image ModalWhose bedroom is this? We're imagining a hip, middle aged mom with Plantar fasciitis or a Miami Beach grandpa hanging up his "cool" sandals next to a Chanel No. 5-endorsed portrait of Mr. Brad Pitt. As the Television Personalities would say: "Yes Darling But Is It Art?" (credit:HuffPost Arts&Culture)
Twisted Sisters(02 of10)
Open Image ModalBleachers after a wild pep rally? Praying mantises copulating? Something to do when you run out of ideas?We can just envision Richard Serra arching a hairy eyebrow at this piece, which almost makes it okay. (credit:HuffPost Arts&Culture)
Food Service Mats(03 of10)
Open Image ModalDon't let the plug fool you, these restaurant 'back of house' mats do absolutely nothing except emit a weak white light through the limited openings in the rubber. (credit:HuffPost Arts&Culture)
Giveaway Bin(04 of10)
Open Image ModalAre we at the Lost and Found? No? Then keep your saggy belts off the gallery walls, please. It's just common courtesy. (credit:HuffPost Arts&Culture)
Hand Carved Marble... Styrofoam(05 of10)
Open Image ModalLOL CATS(06 of10)
Open Image ModalLight Me Up(07 of10)
Open Image ModalBrackets? Why? (credit:HuffPost Arts&Culture)
Missing A Nail(08 of10)
Open Image ModalI'm sorry, did you leave a half-finished piece on the floor? Were you just too lazy to hang it? Art deposited in the corner near the walkway is not the smartest location for valuable works. But then again, we wouldn't call this valuable, despite the price tag. (credit:HuffPost Arts&Culture)
Another Use For Soup Cans(09 of10)
Open Image ModalDo you need some foot covers for your chair? Oh, you have some already? How ingenious -- putting soup cans on the feet. Warhol would be proud, I'm sure. (credit:HuffPost Arts&Culture)
A Snowy Field?(10 of10)
Open Image ModalIt's a sheet of paper with staples at the bottom. That's it. THAT'S ALL IT IS, FOLKS. THERE'S NOTHING MORE TO SEE HERE. (credit:HuffPost Arts&Culture)