Art Purring

Text and images by Chen Chi-Hsiang. Modern and avant-garde art of the last century constructed the possibilities of art under deconstruction, established new systems within anti-establishment movements, and explored and advanced through questioning in art. They broke through social constraints and artistic boundaries, expanding their scope. Questioning became the core of creation, exploration became the energy for action, reflecting the pains and tremors of the era.

In postmodern and post-postmodern new century art, there are no longer disputes between figurative, abstract, conceptual, avant-garde, or rear-guard. Under the sun, nothing is new, and nothing is forbidden. In renewal, retro styles, plagiarism, and appropriation, the system becomes the basis and guarantee of the market. Under multiculturalism and commercial dominance, art dominated by the market rebels directly from the deep pockets of capitalism. The hopeless worship of money and profit has led to art falling into kitsch and short-term speculation market mechanisms, standing still and hesitating. Did the market narrow artistic creation, or did artists speculate? In an era where art prices exceed art values, everything looks to "money." Art auctions stir up trouble or heavily trade off late-career artists; art fairs consume famous names; galleries consume young artists. Consumption and depletion are enjoyed by all, driven by profit, with everyone calculating their gains. Art becomes a hollow shell and a bargaining chip, which is understandable. What the market wants is absolutely not value but price. As Deng Xiaoping famously said, "It doesn't matter if a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice, it's a good cat." At some point, art speculation also fell into the financial system, clearly for investment or speculation, wearing the coat of art to become high-end or super consumer goods, becoming brands and stocks, purring amidst the disillusionment of reality and illusion.