Why is your art “critical
postmodern?” April
18, 2002 - Reply
The
Critical Postmodern Ring has been growing steadily as people add more links.
Most are sites have some text explaining their critical postmodern position.
Since Leonard Koscianski’s art did not, I asked to explain the connection of
his art to “critical postmodern.” See
http://www.lkart.com
Dear David,
First let me say I am an artist, not an illustrator. My work does not illustrate
a political or philosophical agenda. However my work is created in a time and a
place and reflects my worldview. Hopefully my paintings are a multi-level,
symbolic recreation of the world I find around me, and within me.
In the past my work has been grouped with postmodernism, however I have felt
uncomfortable with this. I don’t agree with or completely understand the
perspective of those who articulate this point of view. I am uncomfortable with
the post-modern artwork of the likes of Jeff Koons or Sherrie Levine. It seems
to wallow in a self-referential irony. I also have a very difficult time with
those artists who I believe adopt a pose of an aloof or pompous but very
tasteful alienati! on i.e. Jullian Schnabel, or Anselm Kiefer. I can’t accept
the idea that there is no truth or reality. People were killed on
September 11th; the automobile is a killer of people and
destroyer of the environment.
Nor can I join my neo-traditionalist friends who would have us believe that we
can turn back the cultural clock and be Cézanne. Though I do often paint from
life, and even do studies outdoors, I am not a member of the ranks of the
tailgate impressionists. This is the 21st century. And we must
interact with it in a responsible way. I was very glad that my children were
born in a modern hospital. If I have a heart attack, I want an ambulance with
the latest ALS technology!
I was pleasantly surprised to read the essays in your web site defining critical
postmodernism. It seems close to the point of view that ! inspires my
artwork. I had pretty much given up trying to find a serious critical
perspective that I could identify with.
A painting can represent the culture and the person. On some level it is
simultaneously a panorama and a self-portrait. My paintings are narrative.
Perhaps the animals are our natural, biological, visceral selves; while the
houses in the backgrounds are the civilization I find myself a part of. The
houses usually have no doors. Those inside seem trapped. I believe ours is a
fractured culture, which while providing an entrapping safety and security for
some also generates intense anger and hostility.
I won’t get too specific in interpreting my own artwork. I’m too close to
it, and I don’t want to become too self-conscious when I paint.
I have only the most superficial understanding of Deb! ord and Baudrillard, but
I feel closer to the position of Debord.
So my question to you: knowing this what do you see that relates to critical
post-modernism in my paintings?
Leonard Koscianski
http://www.lkart.com
lkoscia@yahoo.com