"No degree of dullness can safeguard a work against the determination of critics to find it fascinating," commented the critic Harold Rosenberg once. It is a particularly astute observation, and rather pertinent given the on-going debate surrounding the merits of
Bruce Gordon, the work by Ed Young. Adding his voice to this debate, long-time ArtThrob critic Paul Edmunds offers his perspective, without any seeming determination to find the work fascinating. Also in this update: we come to terms with the character of contemporary South Africa, where it is said "there are quite literally no names, no vocabulary, to discuss major aspects and parts of its political being." A touch highbrow - but as is revealed, relevant to the way we speak about art and artists in South Africa.
Sean O'Toole
We are delighted to announce that William Kentridge is our featured Editions for ArtThrob. We are currently offering readers a rare opportunity to acquire an original artwork by this stellar South African art personality, Village Deep a chine-colle silhouette image collaged on to the page of an old book.
Next Update: May 1, 2003