Tuesday, May 12, 2009

The Museum of Bad Art

I kind of like these two dog paintings—particularly the one on the right. They’re part of the permanent collection of MOBA (the Museum of Bad Art), which is located online and in the basement of two Boston-area movie theatres. All you have to do is buy a ticket to Slumdog Millionaire or Star Trek and you gain free entry to the latest exhibits.
Looking at all the paintings in MOBA’s online galleries, I couldn’t help wondering what the difference is between "outsider" and so-called "bad" art. Maybe Outsider Art is bad art that sells? In any case, my opinion is that art is art whatever the level of skill and number of sales.

To see a Canadian painting that’s part Of MOBA’s permanent collection, check out this article in today’s Toronto Star.

6 comments:

A bird in the hand said...

The term "outsider art" was coined to describe art therapy (mostly done by handicapped people). Somehow, it got coopted and turned into something else. I always wonder if people who describe themselves as "outsider artists" realize what it really means...

:-)

A bird in the hand said...

P.S. Tsk tsk to the Toronto Star. Did you notice the "Mana" Lisa in the cutline??
hahaha!

emikk said...

bad art, outsider art, i'm confused, as usual.

spindelmaker said...

What a fun way to start the day: a virtual gallery-tour. And even with artists that aren´t that much better than me :-)

me again said...

I am never one to trumpet the Toronto Star, but the painting shown to accompany the article is indeed titled the "mana lisa". I had a hoot looking at all this art and don't know what to say .... while I didn't see anything I would want to buy, I did enjoy looking! :-)

martha brown said...

I believe that there is no bad art -- if it makes just one person happy, then it's good art. The doggy paintings made me smile -- therefore, to me, they are just perfect :)