A Crisis in Online Art Journalism

I've always been a fan of Timmy Black's bizarre art podcast, The Lives of Contemporary Artists. When I'm in my car, I listen to it on Spotify and when I'm home, I tune it in on Soundcloud or iTunes.

It sometimes makes me mad. Mr. Black is an equal opportunity offender. He often gets under my skin. But I understand his point of view and until now I always felt that his was a legitimate form of reportage.

Now, after this leaked episode was smuggled out of his recording studio and has made its way through the viral channels of social media, I'm feeling rather differently!

I'm asking my readers to do their part and share this odious example of nihilistic hubris. Timmy Black must be exposed!!!

UNSOLICTED ADVICE TO ART STUDENTS

Another Public Service To Those Who Can't Get Enough

  

AN INVITATION TO BINGE

LOS ANGELES: THE NEW ATHENS OF THE ART WORLD

Strange new things are happening in L.A.

Blue Figure #8, Timmy Black 2017

A place largely known for Entertainment, Los Angeles has recently begun to make its mark in the art world as well. Consistent with the region's eclectic character, multimedia artist Timmy Black has combined the Hollywood tradition with the antics of the avant-garde.

In the space of less than a year, his podcast, Timmy Black Presents: The Lives of Contemporary Artists, has pretty much eclipsed most of the other arts related broadcasts available online. It's to Mr. Black's credit that he doesn't take himself too seriously. The fatal flaw of programatic narration is the preachy advocacy of spurious assertions. The crowded field of critics and art evangelists typically treat their subject with humorless pedantry. 

Timmy treats art as if we were still in Zurich in 1916.

Now, near his 50th broadcast, he has recently re-released on Spotify his archive of recordings. Starting from Episode #1, you can enjoy the progress of his unpredictable anecdotes 

If you have yet to discover this small treasure of irreverence, here's your chance.

MUST SEE TV!!!

TIMMY BLACK AND THE LIVES OF CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS HAS JUST GONE VIDEO!!!

REQUIRED LISTENING

If you haven't been hooked by this podcast then you probably haven't listened to it yet. As a New York art critic, I  find Tim Black's insightful commentary both vital and vicious.

Each episode informs and offends me in equal measure.

I dare you to listen!

UNMINCED WORDS: THE SWEET SULFUROUS SMELL OF REVENGE

I always assumed that the days of artistic contract killing were over. I thought that the last real art world thug was Caravaggio. But I just discovered a wonderful podcast that when not engaged in venomous hatchet jobs, provides a pleasant overview of the contemporary scene.

The following episode is fortunately uncharacteristic but nonetheless, it is extremely thought provoking and at times even funny.

I subscribed to it on iTunes and I recommend you do as well.

Here's a sampler.

Enjoy .... if you can ...  This thing hits way too close to the bone ...