Art Hotline | The Art Assignment | PBS Digital Studios | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

In this video, Sarah and John Green answer questions about the controversy between James Turrell and Drake, finding art-related jobs, consuming art by troubled artists, graffiti and street art, grading art, books as art, and the usefulness of art degrees.

Key Insights

• 🎮 Drake's "Hotline Bling" video borrowed heavily from James Turrell's installations without his collaboration.
• 🧑‍🎨 Making a living as a full-time artist in New York City is challenging due to the need for commercialization.
• 🥰 Consuming art made by people who have done bad things is a complex and personal decision.
• 🥰 Evaluating graffiti and street art requires considering factors like location, intended audience, and vandalism.
• 🥰 Art grading is subjective, but judgments and subjectivity are necessary in arts education.
• 🥰 Books as art offer a unique interplay between art and literature, enhancing the reading experience.
• 🥰 Liberal arts degrees, including art degrees, provide versatile skills applicable to various careers.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What was the controversy between James Turrell and Drake?

When Drake released his "Hotline Bling" video, it became evident that the backgrounds resembled James Turrell's installations, even though Turrell did not collaborate or sanction their use.

Q: How can one find an art-related job in New York City?

Making a living as a full-time artist in New York City is challenging due to the tension between art and commercialization. Perseverance, talent, and luck are necessary, but other places outside NYC may offer alternative opportunities.

Q: Should we consume art made by people who have done bad things?

The hosts express conflicting opinions. They discuss the continuum of wrongdoing and suggest that ultimately, it becomes a personal decision. However, being a better person would resolve the conflict.

Q: How should graffiti and street art be evaluated?

Good and bad graffiti art exists, and evaluation should consider factors like location, vandalism, and intended audience. Contextualizing street art within its circumstances is crucial for evaluation.

Q: How do art teachers grade art when it is subjective?

Art grading is subjective, and the difficulty of quantifying skills contributes to the decline of arts education. However, making judgments and embracing subjectivity are part of the process.

Q: What are your thoughts on books as art, incorporating visual elements and unconventional designs?

The hosts appreciate the interplay between art and literature. They mention artists like Mark Danielewski, Jonathan Safran Foer, and Rodrigo Corral, who use the physical book's constraints and opportunities to create unique experiences.

Q: Are art degrees useless for finding jobs?

Art degrees, like other liberal arts degrees, provide skills in critical thinking and problem-solving, making graduates suitable for various careers beyond becoming a traditional artist.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Drake's "Hotline Bling" video featured backgrounds that resembled James Turrell's installations, despite Turrell not collaborating with him. The hosts discuss the borrowing and experimentation that happens in art, but acknowledge that Drake did rip off Turrell.

• It's challenging to make a living as a full-time artist in New York City due to the tension between art making and commercialization. However, there are alternative places to make art and find an audience.

• The hosts debate whether consumers should support art made by people who have done bad things, recognizing the complexity and subjectivity of the issue.

• They express differing views on graffiti and street art, with one finding it great and the other torn due to its potential as vandalism.

• Grading art is subjective, and arts education often declines due to the difficulty of quantifying artistic skill.

• Books that blend art and literature, such as those by Mark Danielewski and Jonathan Safran Foer, are appreciated by the hosts for their interplay between the two mediums.

• Art degrees, though often deemed useless, provide skills in critical thinking and problem-solving applicable to various careers.