Divergence and Convergence of Technique and Style

Earlier in the month, we visited Revok’s latest Los Angeles exhibition, in which he showed off a new series of paintings titled Instrument Exercises that utilized a mechanical jig that allowed the artist to use 8 spray cans in parallel. That was the first that I have seen anyone use that technique, so I figured Revok was the sole proprietor of such a machine. The Internets has proven me wrong once again.

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In the above video, Job Wouters and Roel Wouters show off a similar machine that they call the Rainbow Gun. In a demonstration of the tool, the duo spray the numbers 1234567 in a script font using the number of spray cans that correspond with the specific numeral. Coolest part? This video precedes Revok’s new series by 7 years. Another cool part?  In the description of the video, the Wouters pay respects to Daniel Tagno, a graffiti artist that also independently invented a similar tool in 2008 for the street.

Daniel Tagno via http://ilovegraffiti.de/blog/2010/01/03/die-wouters/
Daniel Tagno via http://ilovegraffiti.de/blog/2010/01/03/die-wouters/

How this convergence in groups of people arriving at the same novel tool accomplishes such divergent styles is kind of mind boggling.

Bonus – Here’s a picture of the Wouters’ Rainbow Gun:

via https://www.creativereview.co.uk
via https://www.creativereview.co.uk

Convenient Fine Art Shopping Now Available via Amazon

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Has contemporary art jumped the shark?

While shopping on Amazon.com for normal houseware supplies, I ran across this Damien Hirst Spot Painting print on sale for $8,900 (With free shipping too.  What a deal!).  It is difficult to associate fine art experience with a one-click shopping experience facilitated by the e-commerce corporate giant.

Where is the art appreciation in this?  How can I speak to the gallery rep to learn more about the print-making process or its provenance?  Where is the exhilaration that you feel as you track down a piece you have been searching, if all you need to do is type in a keyword in the Amazon search bar?

It feels all too immediate.