bad art?

In the very early days, art was about representation, showing what was there, and what really happened. If someone was shown to have an arm bending the wrong way it was considered ‘bad’ art. Art movements such as Expressionism have changed people’s views on art, now it can be used in many ways; to show feelings, thoughts, emotions and even political views. Arms and legs can come from all directions, and good and bad is now decided by the viewer due to their like or dislike.Recently, modern art has taken a new, more visually shocking turn. Artists such as the Chapman brothers, Tracey Emin and Damien Hurst have shocked a large proportion of the public into deeming certain art as ‘bad’ once again, and in ‘poor taste.’Tracey Emin’s ‘My Bed’ was shown in the Tate Gallery for a short period of time and created a huge media frenzy. The bed itself was covered in rubbish, dirty sheets and clothes, used condoms and bodily fluids. Emin had stayed in it herself for several days and not left it, due to suicidal depression due to relationship difficulties. By showing her bed as art, Emin was revealing that she was insecure and imperfect, and by doing this, she was pointing out to the public that they too, were like her. Many people who saw the art saw something they could relate to.Damien Hurt also caused controversy with his series of dead animals preserved behind glass, often cut in half, exposing their insides, and his art instillation ‘two fucking, two watching’, which was basically a rotting cow and bull, was banned. Hurst’s work being banned has only strengthened his point; that people are afraid and disgusted by reality. The Chapman brothers have created mannequins of children fused together grotesquely, with genitalia for facial features, referring to Freudian views of displaced sexual desire and they bring up themes such as genetic manipulation and cloning, as well as the perceived innocence of children. The work itself is visually shocking, but to those who can look past that is full of themes and meanings. In conclusion, good or bad art is up to the viewer, and whether the artist has actually put thought into the work, as art is not art without a meaning or purpose.