Steiglitz and O'Keefe: "Work becomes Art When a Rich Person Buys It!

[CameraQuest]

Stieglitz's words as he explains the art world to Georgia O'Keefe -- that may not be the exact quote, but close enough.

I highly highly recommend the just released this week TV movie "Georgia O'Keefe" on the Lifetime channel. http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/movies/georgia-okeeffe

I think "O'Keefe and Stieglitz" would be a better title. This movie also explains Stieglitz better than any other movie I've seen.

The movie is very well done, from casting to acting to script to locals -- actually filming some scenes in O'Keefe's home in Taos New Mexico. It seems artists may have complicated lives on occasion. Who knew?

Stephen

 

[aad]

I was wondering how well Stieglitz was portrayed-we saw the O'Keeffe-Dove exhibit this summer, and though some of his works, programs guides etc. were on display and noted, of course none of the personal relationships were discussed in any detail.
My wife did notice that O'Keeffe's paintings of Lake George showed she didn't like it much-now I guess I know why.

For what it's worth, that visit to the museum changed the way I look at art.

 

[semordnilap]

i wish i could see that show... i've always loved dove's painting.

 

[payasam]

"Work becomes Art When a Rich Person Buys It" is a view, based no doubt on experience and observation, which tells us something. The personal life of Steiglitz, or that of any other artist, is neither here nor there.

 

[naturepix]

"Work becomes Art When a Rich Person Buys It"

"Work becomes Art When a Rich Person Buys It"

That is one point of view. Another from an old haiku by Kobayashi Issa:

Writing **** about new snow
for the rich
is not art.

 

[payasam]

Recorded history has many examples of artists who have ridiculed their patrons. Mercifully, all artists have not been lap dogs.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Steiglitz was a patron himself. Born into wealth, he supported several artists financially and was an activist on behalf of artists who were not as lucky as himself. He was known for squeezing wealthier buyers for more money than he'd charge less wealthy buyers who wanted works by the artists he represented in his galleries. He was not just an artist, but also a dealer and curator. There were a lot of men like him in those days. Sadly, there are none today. Dealers screw over artists instead of helping them for the most part.