Critical Essay Response

In his NYT article from February 15, Holland Cotter examines how the art world faces a time of recession and consolidation that mirrors the nations economic situation. Cotter looks at what artists will need to do in this time to make art that is relevant to the times and critical in its meaning. The article looks at similar situations past when economic situations necessitated artists to reconsider the process and intent of their art making. Cotter tells us flat out that the time for cozy and comfortable art is not now, artists, critics, and historians must all push for art forms that are more than pleasing objects for material consumption. This time of fallow in the art market is the perfect time for new and innovative art to emerge, for artists to work collaboratively, to not allow art to become static and devoid of political and social intent. To Cotter, now is the time for revision and re-vision in all the of the institutions--galleries, studios, museums, schools--that make up the art world; moving forward with new ideas and forms while taking from the impetus of past eras.