Art & Society

» Mary Rayme - The cult of the relic just won't die

In response to The cult of the relic just won't die posted by CaptainCivility:
It's true that $35 million is a LOT to spend on a piece of canvas coated with paint by a dead artist. And it's not like the money went to the family of the artist in any way.

I had a friend who used to remind me about how much we as a country spend on weapons... Tanks cost a bundle, he used to say, why shouldn't art?

Sometimes, I think the artificial commodity of art reminds me of the tulip commodity craze of olde Holland. When a buyer is willing to spend that much on a work of art it is about status as much as it is about bestowing culture.

I think I really dislike what Ms. Walton chooses to do with her millions but I can't say I wouldn't be doing the same thing if I were in her (well-heeled) shoes.

Captain Civility, I think your grandmother would have been hungry for such a big shiny new museum in her home state.