Basquiat's Boxer

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich is selling his excellent Basquiat "Boxer." My favorite part of this NYT's piece is Lar's quote, "It’s perhaps the last frontier where the best of the best will not go the way of the rest of the economy.” Is it possible that improbable quality and artistic dedication are recession proof? ...well I think it only holds true for "Basquiats", not lighter weights like Matthew Day Jackson. Sure he's sincere but he isn't that perceptive or poetic. My take is that Basquiat is on another level and his values will probably only improve. Other proven, transcendent artists (Justine Kurland, Chris Johanson) will transcend this financial crisis and those that follow art market trends will follow broader financial market trends.

Also, in the NYT's Roberta Smith explains why Elizabeth Peyton matters. I concur, seriously at what time were beauty and youth not worthy of our attention? Peyton transcends the stupider tabloid stuff in the media and exemplifies why we find young and beautiful people perpetually fascinating. At Peyton's best, she gives her subjects a grace and existential fragility they never really had but for a moment. Some think this is slight but it's like arguing against flowers, you can do it... but at the cost of acknowledging you might have a dead black heart. Frankly I find viewing a Peyton painting more satifying than TMZ's celeb gawking.

Finally, Tyler and I disagree about Peyton. It seriously freaks me out that we both like so many of the same artists like Clifford Still, enjoy tennis, blogging and kick ass architecture etc. Maybe it's our Midwestern/West Coast roots?

Also, check out Jen Graves WACK post. Though I find the ads at the left that state, "find your inner slut," a bit incongruous with the post.