 Populism: an exhibition project at Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Frankfurter Kunstverein, Frankfurt, Germany; The Contemporary Art Centre, Vilnius, Lithuania; and National Museum of Art, Oslo, Norway
Spring-Summer 2005.
Antonio C-Pinto: Populism is a deep trend in contemporary politics, and in the arts. This fact alone demands serious attention. It also demands great disposition to learn from the past. Political parties, unions, contemporary art museums (and galleries) are no longer the pristine engines of democratic societies they use to be. In fact most of them seem either old and bureaucratic agencies of power, or abusive legitimation instances for speculation activities in the art markets. NICA's commitment to launch this project shows to the most sceptical ones that a post-Contemporary culture is firmly on its way.
Niels Werber: [from the press-release] In 103 questions, some of them very detailed, the market researchers went in search of the people's art .The results may be disappoint- ing to many. For the majority of Americans in 1994 above all preferred images that are predominantly blue, chestnut brown, or red, medium-sized (the size of a dishwasher), with wild animals in the wilderness, autumnal natural settings as motif, painted with vigorous brush- strokes but gently rounded outlines, and in a realistic style. Also desired were domestic scenes, especially with family members or house pets. Historical Figures should be painted clothed. The whole thing may also be somewhat playful in design, with a slight exaggeration of reality, but this should by no means lead to geometric abstraction, much less to a loss of contact with reality. The picture should cost between $25 and $500 if it wishes to attract 83% of American households as buyers.
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