Connoisseurship is a wonderful way to describe elitism, I myself consider myself a connoisseur of certain aspects of life, yet to others I can be seen as stuck up, materialistic or indeed, elitist. Fortunately for myself however, I'm not regarded as a figure of authority within any public realms.
Hughes' piece in Sept 13th's Guardian, Aimed with extreme accuracy at Damien Hirsts temples, Is a revolting and scathing display of class defining arrogance. His accusations against Hirsts talent, or lack thereof, are far from impartial; Namely those aimed at Hirsts market, these people relish, consume and purchase his work of their own perogative. For Hughes to use his position of power and regard to thrust low class, poorly educated and unworthy tags at these people is almost childish; I’m beginning to wonder if Hughes isn’t on Sotherbys payroll…
I personally don’t consider Hirsts works to be fantastically skilled, creative or innovative for that matter, and I’m completely aware of his fanbase being the vampiric ‘contemporary london’ pseudo-yuppies that thrive on image, borrowed style and trying to out-do one anothers marvelous stories about who did what where when and how much better the next persons yarn will be.
But that is where we are now, society is becoming more apathetic, more complacent and less involved (maybe even less passionate). Does that really make one persons opinions and tastes of any less worth purely because they’re not an art historian, critic or curator?! Yes these people may just be purchasing ‘a Hirst’ how they’d purchase ‘a Banksy’ or ‘a Warhol’, But to think that Hirst isn’t exploitative of that is absurd, He knows his market, He knows his niche and in this has established himself as a celebrity; rather than an artist, A persona of sporadic output and well bred curiosity.
The idea of the canon is all a little too Orwellian at times, And if Hughes wants to become Big Brother, So be it, May he be respected and revered by like minded zealots at the next high class fundraiser whilst Hirst appropriates his way to another million.
