First, what is wrong with the art world?.  Incredible prices paid for art that seem rather talentless in my opinion. The Wall Street Journal 1/13/2012 front page section D -- "Art's New Pecking Order -- Picasso and Warhol are being outsold by Chinese painters."  Well, about time as far as Warhol goes  -- he ought to be forgotten, but Picasso, come on, this fellow had more talent and, especially, creativity, than anyone in the past century. He made a load of junk, but in that oeuvre are some masterpieces. China must have some artistic geniuses but from what I see selling for millions, up to a hundred million dollars, as illustrated in this article, they have not yet been identified by the so called expert gallery owners and mega rich collectors. From my vantage it looks like more Koons and Hirsts, propped up pretenders, than a Van Gogh or a Modigliani or a Di Vinci. But, one need only look at Tibetan thangkas from centuries ago to understand that Westerners have no monopoly on magnificent art.
     What's right about the art world? Well, there are some talented folks out there, even here in Boston. Went to a show today in Concord and saw Marian Dioguardi's paintings of teacups and saucers, and her series of Italian row houses with clothing lines strung out among them. Of course her bright colors and bold lines are not everyone's cup of tea, but for me they are wildly gorgeous. No pretension, nothing artificial,  a fine talent who takes every day objects and scenes and makes them visually stunning. No explanation required.
    I particularly like that part -- no explanation required. Going to a contemporary art museum these days is a tedious and boring event too often. When these artists, or, usually the curator, explains what the work is about I  feel like telling them to get a real job in the real world and learn to speak English. Heck, they have a right to do and say what they want I suppose, and there appear to be a whole lot of folks out there who see the beauty in so much of this razzmatazz, truly love the verbal baloney, but I would just like to see more work appreciated because of the talent and visual merits. The art world language many supposed experts spout out reminds me of wine connoisseurs describing a boring Pinot Noir as having "complexity and richness with generous oak mocha, cranberry-sour cherry jam, leather, and meaty notes." Damn, I am rushing out now to buy that wine that tastes like a hamburger! Okay, so I am just a plain dense fellow, truly pedestrian, and don't get it...