the times | Saturday June 11 2022 saturday review 9
interface between our human spaces and
the infinity — “the deep blue air, that
shows nothing, and is nowhere, and is
endless” — that stretches beyond. Ecclesi-
astical buildings are more than just archi-
tectural marvels, they are multisensory
experiences. Contemporary art is catching
up on this. Did you experience the eerie
power of Bill Viola’s altarpiece in St Paul’s
or see Antony Gormley’s explosive ab-
stract in Salisbury? Don’t get stuck in the
gallery. Push through that lychgate, take
your path through the graveyard, step into
the silence... and discover the sublime in
your local church.Art market beanos are a waste of time
They are bad for the environment and bad
for art too. The mission of a biennale is bla-
tant. It’s all about buying and selling. It’s
about bolstering prices and building
brands. Art is reduced to mere spectacle.
I’m not suggesting that it hasn’t always
been about grabbing attention. Artists
have always competed for audiences. Yet
amid the mêlée of today’s enormous gath-
erings, art has to strive ever harder for in-
stantaneous effect. In a desperate bid to
grab fickle attention, soundtracks are set
bellowing like sea lions in a blizzard; sculp-
tures spin and flash like theme-park rides.Keep an open mind
I’ve lost count of the times that I’ve been
confronted by one of those “I know what I
like and I don’t like that new-fangled rub-
bish” bores. Stand up for contemporary
culture. It may not be to your taste, but it
might turn out to be. We’ve all heard that
Van Gogh sold only one painting in his life-
time. We know that “impressionist” was
originally a term of abuse. Don’t resort to
lazy ridicule. To refuse even to try to en-
gage with contemporary art is like sticking
your fingers in your ears and yelling “I’m
not listening” when someone else tries to
put their case across.The internet is a dangerous place
The nude has for centuries served as a
yardstick of artistic talent. But take care as
you trawl through the internet in the name
of research. The Rokeby Venus is not what
the algorithm assumes you are looking for
when you type the word “nude” into your
search bar. If you don’t want your hard
drive to become corrupted, it’s far better to
stick to the old-fashioned reference books.If you can’t be kind, be diplomatic
I expect you have friends who enjoy mak-
ing art. That’s fantastic. It certainly adds
richness, texture and joy to life, not to
mention a deal of frustration. But what
happens at that potentially awkward mo-
ment when you get invited to the great
exhibition? They approach you anxiously
as you stroll round the gallery. “What do
you think?” they ask. “Tell me frankly. I
don’t mind the truth.” Believe me, that in
itself is not true. Parading your efforts in
public is scary. It’s no time for frankness.
Here’s a tactful way out. “My favouriteDon’t worry
about what
you are
‘meant’ to be
seeing. Go
with your gut
in my 20 years as an art critic
DAVID BEBBER FOR THE TIMES; MATT WRITTLE; MATT LLOYD/GREY HUTTON FOR THE TIMES
is.. .” you say as you single out one work.
No lies are told and no offence taken.Everyone’s a critic
Gone are the days when an art critic, dip-
ping a pen into a pot of vitriol, could make
or break a reputation. Charles Saatchi put
paid to all that when in the Eighties he put
his money behind a gang of brash Gold-
smiths-trained rebels and transformed the
way the British art scene worked. Now it’s
not the critic but the dealer who makes a
career. If a big gallery signs up to heft its
weight behind you, your name is launched.
But art criticism still has a vital role. To-
day it is more open, more malleable, more
subjective, more ready to move. It strikes
the sparks from which debate flares, never
more so than in our interactive age when
you, the readers have become part of the
discussion. Do keep the arguments going.Judging with Grayson Perry