I, like Morley Safer, have never really understood contemporary art.  After watching his report on the art market as aired on 60 Minutes, I realized that I hope I am never like those people, spending millions for art that often just look like household items.  Maybe I just don’t get “it” (whatever “it” is…), but when I look at those art installations I see messes, boring items, or just plain confusion.  I don’t feel anything; I don’t see the artist’s message.  Honestly, if I had millions to spare, I would rather spend my money helping people than decorating my house with art I don’t get.

I always felt that art should evoke emotions, and with more traditional pieces I can usually appreciate what the artist was conveying.  If not, at least I could admire the skill it took to create a piece like that.  With contemporary art however, all I get is a big fat blank.  Occasionally it’ll look kind of cool, but that’s as far as it goes.  I can’t think of any installation I’ve seen that makes me feel something or connect with the work in any way.  That’s why it baffles me that people will pay so much for these pieces.

Then again, I’m not sure I understand spending millions on any art, unless you’re a museum.  Why are rich people so obsessed with procuring items for their private collections, only to have them collect dust in a room that they never use?  I think part of it is a lack of outlet for their riches – they’ve bought the homes, the cars, the yachts, and the private jet, what else is left?  And so art comes along to fill a void in their life.  It helps them feel like they’re a connoisseur and oh so classy.  To me, fashion also helps to fill that void.

Perhaps I just don’t get it because I don’t have all that money.  Maybe my perspective will change one day when I find myself in that position.  I just hope that I won’t fall into that trap, living up the “high life” just to fit into that society.  I have no problem with being a patron of the arts, but I think that should mean you donate to museums and other institutions (or start your own).  Why bother collecting all this stuff, hoarding it for yourself, and not allowing the public to experience it too?  Isn’t art supposed to be shared and appreciated by all?