By Brianna Holcomb - Arts and Entertainment Editor “The Mona Lisa,” “Starry Night” and “The Scream” are all considered pieces of fine art. What if I told you that these pieces and their artists are nothing but chumps?
Or imagine walking into the MoMA and seeing one of the finest pieces of art vandalized. To many, this act of vandalism and the idea of calling these artists mediocre can be considered the eighth deadly sin. Bobby Chrisafis’ exhibit commits this exact sin and not just on the actual pieces of fine art.
Chrisafis’ FORM Gallery, entitled “Chump,” looks at the goal of art and the role it should be playing in the art world.
“Chump” is an exhibit that helps make the world of art a little more fun for those who may not see the excitement or simplicity that comes out of it.
“Everybody in the art world is nothing but a chump. Including me,” Chrisafis said. “I recently realized that the goal of art should be to be memorable.”
He recreates fine art paintings then defaces them using graffiti. One piece resembles that of a New York City subway wall. The background looks just like the white tiles that one sees and the forefront displays graffiti in multiple colors, fonts, pictures and text. “God wants you,” “The Mick,” “R.I.P. Kurt” and many other pictures and phrases can be found in this piece.
This simple remake of classic graffiti tags was the first piece to stand out to me in the gallery.
The question of whether or not graffiti should be considered art has been a long-standing debate. Despite the disagreement, the bright colors and text make this piece one to remember.
Chrisafs’ work does a wonderful job capturing the millennial generation’s attachment to the old and making it new.
This generation is known for destroying pieces of fine art as a way to make a point. Many people in the generation prior to this one see it as pure vandalism, but it has become a way for a millennial to pay homage to those that came before us.
Like sampling older tracks in music or the new phenomenon of Photoshopping, “Chump” fits right in with this trend.
“I have unwittingly made the hacks of the art world successes by criticizing their works. This also makes hacky, pretentious art equally as valuable as fine art,” Chrisafs said.
“Chump” helps to bridge the gap between fine art and, well, chumps. This gallery shows the viewer that it does not take a list of art “hacks” to be considered good at art. Chrisafs embraces the chaos in art and is able to create something completely worth seeing.
The Hofstra FORM Gallery club puts up new galleries each week with opening receptions on Monday. Take the time to stop by Calkins Hall to see each student run gallery.