Since anyone can remember Kanye West has been trying to gain recognition in the art world. Catchy tunes and fashion lines just weren’t a satisfying enough creative outlet for him.
A couple weeks ago West released an exclusive exhibition at the Blum & Poe Gallery in Los Angeles. Surprisingly I was thoroughly impressed by the controversial artwork. The installation is based off of West’s music video Famous, where him and his wife Kim Kardashian West are portrayed lying in bed with a dozen other famous American celebrities including Taylor Swift and Donald Trump.
Even if viewers are not a fan of Kanye West’s music (I have to basically be bribed to support his sound) Famous is actually a pretty interesting piece of work. It reminds me a lot of Tracey Emin’s provocative piece My Bed. Both are very raw statements, and the assertion of bringing a bedroom scene to the public eye sends a very strong yet intimate message for the viewers. The way the white sheet casually drapes over all the celebrities, yet still leaves them exposed sends an important message about the way celebrities and people in the public eye are viewed in the rest of the world.
Although West has always been perceived as a very self-obsessed and cocky character, I am a big believer in separating the art from the artist. Gallery owner Timothy Blum was quoted saying to CNN: “If you didn’t know that this was a work by Kanye West, and instead was the work of a known artist in the art world, the perception of the piece would be completely different—it would be celebrated and universally supported at the highest level.”
I have to say I completely agree with Blum. Not only was the work’s message thought-provocative but the craftsmanship and skill put into it is astounding. Whether you like Kanye West or not, I highly encourage everyone to challenge themselves and put their opinion of the work based off of the art itself, not just on the artist’s name who claims it.
