Museums are state-approved institutions, functioning as guarantors of quality.

Misusing this authority, contemporary artists are presented as the heirs of classical culture.
They are invited to select their «favorites» from collections, exhibit together with old masters and use the latter as ready-mades in their own installations.

Such «Blood Transfusion» exhibitions is powerful propaganda, linking Rembrandt to anyone but a colleague practicing the craft today. Join Jan-Ove Tuv as he goes through the basic argumentative tactics – as laid out by Jasper Sharp, curator of modern and contemporary art at The Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.

Swapping clear definitions for broad, abstract terms seemingly make both the student and the destroyer of craft synonymous. But if we know the tactics we can resist the propaganda.

Suggested reading: «Contemporary Artists and Their Place Within Historical Museums»

(https://www.khm.at/fileadmin/content/KHM/Contemporary/Jasper_text_PK_engl.pdf).

YouTube Thumbnail: Photo courtesy of Ken Bosma (left) and Bork Nerdrum (right)

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