I have mentioned modern artists before. They are not my favourite people. That is why I was particularly drawn to a piece in the free London Paper a couple of weeks ago regarding a complaint made by Tracy Emin.
Wild-child artist Tracy Emin last night lost her battle to prevent a beach bar from reopening behind her £1 million London home.
Emin vowed that the scheme would go ahead “over my dead body” after she complained of noise and mess at the City Beach Club, which is in Spitalfields.
I can empathise to a certain extent, I have lived close to a nightclub, and excessive noise at 3 a.m. can be a pain if you are not the one making it.
Emin, 43, said: “The sheer numbers of people coming to the area because of City Beach leave vast amounts of rubbish over the surrounding streets, including half-eaten food, beer cans and condoms.”
Hang on.
She is actually upset because of the rubbish, half-eaten food, and condoms. A bit like this then?
She should consider it a compliment of the highest order. Clearly the bar regulars are trying to make London one big artistic statement. In her honour. You would have thought Tracey would approve? There are people who would literally kill someone to death in order to live in an area surrounded by modern art.
Can you imagine what it would be like if the art that surrounded you was just the sort of art that you specifically appreciated? Or maybe even created yourself? That would make you happy, surely?
Unless of course she thinks her stuff is utter fucking shite, just like the rest of us?
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
I think that Emin is clearly unstable and has no grip on reality.
“over my dead body”
I wonder what she’d fetch at auction?
Better still get Hirst to pickle her and then auction her off.
Yeah, but you have to remember Angry, that Emin is a cnut! And not one of those nice smelling, properly trimmmed types either. She wants to go out and shock the world with her art and is just a bit upset when the rest of the world goes “so what, we’ve already got our own piles of crap, we don’t need yours”!
GH
How is she a wild-child artist at 43?
Perhaps GH is right and she is just a cnut.
It’s only art if it’s done by a proper artist. In the same way as America wasn’t properly discovered until Columbus found it, despite what the people who’d been living there for centuries might have thought.
Brilliant.
I’ve got a desk cluttered with papers and medical paraphenalia and Johnnies (although they are kept in the drawer in readiness for those “something for the weekend” consultations). And all through Med School I was renowned as something of an ‘artist (the “piss” being silent).
So what am I bid?
Shall we start at say £500k?
*also brilliant work wangling in a reference to Cnut standing on the beach trying to turn back the tide there GH. Hats off to you*
In a rush, so have to be brief, but here’s my thoughts:
1) Whilst I am not an Emin fan, her ‘My bed’ piece (and similar, ‘All the men I have ever slept with’) was transgressive because it illuminated a perspective on women’s lives – and specifically female sexuality – that is not often seen. To include imagery that portrays the artist’s own experience; showing she’s a woman who fucks whom she likes – and is unapologetic for it – challenges the status quo. I like to think I do the same with my writing. But, you know, I am just a narcissist, so what do I know?
2) I agree that this situation smacks of NIMBYism, but to call Emin a cunt – and let’s face it, that’s what you are all calling her – is just stooping to the same playground name-calling that bullies do. If she’s a cunt, then so am I. And I get called it all the time and my response is that it says more about the people who use this term (about women) than it does about the person being called it.
3) Additionally, to refer to a vagina by stating, Emin is “not one of those nice smelling, properly trimmmed types either” is offensive to any woman reading this. Plus, given that most men wouldn’t know a pair of pube trimmers if they hit them in the face, they’ve got no right to comment on women’s ‘manicured lawns’, in my opinion.
*End of feminist rant*
*Waits for abusive hate-mail in response*
No abusive hate mails, just a small point; we only agreed that she was a cnut which I think likens her to a famous Anglo-Saxon King which i guess could be interpreted as a compliment.
Tracey – Is she the unstable one, or the Saatchis for spending so much on her creations…?
Duck – I think we might see that one day.
GH – It appears people have forgotten how to swear properly on here. Must try better everyone!
TJ – Good point, how long has she been around?
Dominic – you mean my flat is just ‘messy’?
Dr J – I’ll give you a fiver for the jonnies?
The Girl – I once got hit in the face by a pair of pube trimmers. Actually, if I remember correctly, they preferred the term “Beauty Therapists”.
TJ – OooOOOoo. Swallowed a History book have we?
*steers clear of muff banter*
Definite Irony about the mess, what about light pollution however?
http://arts.guardian.co.uk/critic/feature/0,1169,838373,00.html
You’re the artist, mate. You. Yes, you.
Hilarious!
Ruddy Hell! They are posh round there aren’t they!! They use a johnny AND don’t bother to finish their kebab afterwards! I bet the cans aren’t even Special Brew!
There is a beach in London? Fucking global warming!!
i don’t like tracy but i kinda agree with GIRL in that most men wouldn’t know a pair of pube trimmers if they hit them in the face. sort it out. bye!
i am grateful for any post that highlights the existence of pube trimmers for men … a diagram might be helpful too.
I think a diagram, or even an exhibition, on pube trimmers for men would be helpful. Perhaps Emin would oblige? (But no demos on the bed, that’s messy enough.)
I am extremely offended – whats all this nonsense – Women expressing opinions! They will be wanting to vote next and drive cars.
‘kill someone to death’ Oh dear, Mr Angry, you’re slipping. I think there’s a place for Emin’s work – just nowhere near me.
never heard of her, but the few things I just looked at do not represent art by definition alone (- its garbage). Just looks like her ego threw up after Indian buffet and too many brews.
hahaah touche!