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Visitors’ responses to Gilbert & George
Looking at a few of the visitors’ reponses to the G&G show makes it clear how their work generates strong feelings, although these feelings are often quite different, even opposite! The occasional comment deprecates MAM for supporting them and their ideas, yet a few visitors congratulate the gallery for bringing these issues to light. Some viewers react negatively to the provocative subject matter and the forceful graphics, while others salute their bravery and openness. Some folk find their homosexual imagery empowering, others are disgusted. As someone who teaches art history for a living, I can’t help but put this work into the bigger context of picture making over the past few decades, even centuries. There is a lot of sex and violence in most art museums! In the past it was in the service of religious or secular power, and then, for a hundred years or so the feelings and expression of the artist became more important. Gilbert and George came of age in a particular time; after a decade of cool, conceptual art, where the abstract idea had primacy over the fears and phobias of the maker. When they evoked religion and beauty, these were subjects which hadn’t been addressed by contemporary artists for a number of years – and openly homosexual tendencies had not been the subject of art for centuries! And yet none of these are foreign to humanity – and art is meant to be about the human condition, isn’t it?
I’d be interested to know what the blogosphere thinks…
4 Responses to “Visitors’ responses to Gilbert & George”
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In May 2007, Gilbert and George were the subject of a BBC ‘Imagine’ documentary presented by Alan Yentob. At the end of the programme a work entitled ‘Planed’ was made available as a free file download from the BBC and Guardian websites for 48 hours. People who downloaded the files could then print off and assemble the piece, and own an original Gilbert and George work for free. I like this idea, they also printed a large catalogue that they discounted. They are really interested in getting their work seen. When does this show end?
I downloaded the piece you mention, Scotty, although I never saw the television program. G&G have always tried to make their work available to the widest possible audience. Apart from the ground-breaking internet piece, which allowed the world a kind of access, they also were among the first western artists to show in China and the-then Soviet Union – all at their own expense, without government grants. You’re right to point out that they also make catalogues available and affordable, along with artists’ books, posters and other multiples – I even have a roll of Gilbert & George packing tape! Furthermore, they aren’t shy of signing these things, which makes their accessibility much more personal and not just about name-recognition.
very good
very good