Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Francesco Bonami is a stalker

Typically, no new posts are inspired when the latest edition of Artforum arrives at my door, but Robert Storr's 7 page letter to the editor defending his decisions as the curator of the latest edition of the Venice Biennale is an exception (I don't think there's a link online so you'll need to buy the print edition). After being thrashed by Artforum and many other media outlets, Storr responds directly to the criticism of Jessica Morgan, Francesco Bonami and Okwui Enwezor. My favorite line inspired the title to this post:

In short, Bonami has become my stalker, and, as with most stalkers, what begins as a charm offensive designed to co-opt a fantasized symbol of power eventually sours into resentment and aggression when the narcissistic craving to assert one's own identity takes over.
Priceless.

3 Responses to “Francesco Bonami is a stalker”

Anonymous said...
January 8, 2008 at 9:16 PM

And you like this because your pompous or because you have a desire to assert your identity and charms?

How about a little rational?


ChristopherWestPresents said...
January 8, 2008 at 10:20 PM

Dude - I thought you above all else would appreciate Robert Storr's diatribe. My appreciation for this letter has nothing to do with my pompous nature. I like spicy Bloody Maries. I like when my mensa-IQ best friend puts on her roller skates and kicks roller derby ass. And I like when the genteel artworld isn't afraid to put on their gloves and not pander to what every critic has to say. Just like I like a lively discussion here on OTC.

I wasn't able to travel to Venice last summer so all I was able to take from it were the negative comments by all the critics. After now reading Storr's comments, I really wish I would have gone.


Anonymous said...
January 9, 2008 at 8:40 PM

I like lively discussions too and other things, but I don't have any friends who have joined mensa or roller skate and didn't realize you were pompous. I had hoped just the opposite were true.

Ah well. I do usually like what Storr does.


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