Mona Lisa Curse

My take on the Mona Lisa Curse documentary is from a sociological perspective. It appears to me that there is a very bold line between the two groups of art consumers: those who consume based on what they like and those who consume based on what they are worth. The former buys art because they believe it to be beautiful, moving, intriguing, and purchase it for pure satisfaction, while the latter group buys art because they look at it as a commodity; it is worth a great amount of moneyand they will feel as if they achieved something by owning the original peice. They also spend copious amounts of money on these pieces to flaunt their wealth and prove how much they are worth.

When Robert Hughes was talking about the new art forms that are popular and costly today, such as Damien Hirst's diamond encrusted skull, he seemed so disappointed in the the path which the art world has taken since his day. It appears that the two groups I mentioned earlier are in a constant battle against keeping art as traditional, based on pure talent and beauty, and allowing it to grow into these modern art forms that are sometimes revolting, confusing, or downright ugly. It's interesting to think what famous painters like Monet and VanGough would say about the art that exists today and the rediculous amounts of money that people spend on them. It is even sad to realize that people like Robert Hughes, who have watched the art world dramatically change before their eyes, must admit that high prices have truly ruined the art world as they knew it.