Chestnut Mare Zebra and Esthetic Bankrupty

Chestnut Mare Zebra
(own work, 150 x 80 x 150 cm * ceramic and porcelain * 2012)

Jeff Koons' Ushering in Banality has to be the epitome of postmodernism's inevitable emptiness, leading to Esthetic Bankruptcy. No doubt the visual art critics responsible for the Postmodern Air Bubble will claim this is Koons' deeper message...how deep! We are impressed. To the child not in the emperor's court it's just a practical visual joke, with a shallow punchline, based on word play through the title. If ever sculptures were competing to demonstrate the need for postpostmodernism, this one would win first prize.

Recent exponential growth of superficiality in art has forced me to abandon my apoliticality. Behold therefore the Chestnut Mare Zebra in all her magnificent glory.




I have put in a request to one of the owners of a version of Ushering in Banality to put the Chestnut Mare Zebra in the same room and then flatten both sculptures with a road roller. The request is being considered.

Monument for Ecological Farming

Monument for Ecological Farming
(own work, 20 x 8 x 20 cm * acrylic, iron and mixed media * 2012)

Ecological farming is what the rich happy few salve their giant ecological footprints with. Deconstructing the superficiality of social feelgood products should be combined with political confrontation of the mass production of food, and (the trampling of) animal rights.

Recent exponential growth of consumerism has forced me to abandon my apoliticality. Behold therefore the Arc de Triomphe of Ecological Farming in all its current glory.


Monument for Ecological Farming
(own work, 20 x 8 x 20 cm * acrylic, iron and mixed media * 2012)

The monument is in the process of being acquired by the gentechlobby.

Mondrianification of a second monument for Putin

Mondrianification of a second monument for Putin
(own work, 400 x 400 x 1200 cm * acrylic, plastics and mixed media * 2012)

This work combines the Monument series with the Mondrianification series.

Politicians have too often produced anti-artistic megalithic monuments, starting already in Antiquity. Tottering dictatorships lead to ultra-ugly oversized edifices meant to convince the masses that all is well and the powers that be are just. (Monument series)

To see Him everywhere. Mondriaan's legacy is His lasting influence on our perception of primality, linear interaction and rectangularity. (Mondrianification series)

Again the monument is freely available for any country willing to build it. A close-up of the Red Russian Bear:
 
A second monument for Putin
(detail of own work, 400 x 400 x 1200 cm * acrylic, plastics and mixed media * 2012)

Siberian monument for Putin

Siberian Monument for Putin
(own work, 400 x 400 x 1000 cm * acrylic, wood, iron and mixed media * 2012)

Politicians have too often produced anti-artistic megalithic monuments, starting already in Antiquity. Tottering dictatorships lead to ultra-ugly oversized edifices meant to convince the masses that all is well and the powers that be are just.

Recent conviction of fellow artists of Pussy Riot to 2 years of prison camp has forced me to abandon my apoliticality. Behold therefore the Russian Bear in all its current glory.


Siberian Monument for Putin
(detail)

The monument is freely available for any country willing to build it.

Abstract biotope, abstractivity of life

Abstract Biotope (own work, 40 x 60 cm * acrylic and mixed media * 2011)

The vagaries of nature are vastly understated in art. Even the postmodernists, who should be in a position to explore new paradigms vis-à-vis nature, are caught up in their own self/art-centered quabbles and quibbles.

Therefore I have set myself the task to paint the unspeakable abstractivity of life forms, and life itself. The (Semi)Abstract Dunescape series and the Mondrianification series are also to be seen in this light.

Painting can harm your misperception

Painting can harm your misperception (Ralf Kwaaknijd, digital work, 2012, click for enlargement)

Conceptual art is so easy it sucks. If you want to be impressed by seemingly deep meanings, please buy the above work while it's still available. Don't interpret this work as advice to start painting. Painting is horribly difficult. Any artist still painting is rather outdated, and anyway, misperception is what makes the world go round.