Harry
Tash Jayasinghe
Dexter
CibbuanoBankers and Modern art.
April 28th 2006 02:31
Earlier today I had the displeasure of having to make a trip to one of the countless skyscrapers that taint Sydney's skyline. This particular building, the name of which excapes me, has only recently been constructed, and in line with the typical 'skyscraper' style the exterior's all glass while the interior is sleek, modern, streamlined.
As I wandered through the corridors I was amazed by the amount of modern art around me. In each hall there were Pollock-esque paintings hanging on the walls whilst in open spaces such as reception foyers incongruous sculptural pieces were installed.
Why all the art I thought to myself as I caught the lift back to the ground floor - none of the bankers I had seen seemed overly struck by any of the work, as far as I could tell they all had their 'eyes on the prize' $$$. And anyway none of the bankers that I've ever met have been keen on art let alone modern art.
So if no one's interested in the art, what's it all doing in the building. Aesthetically, I guess the stuff is pleasing to have around, bringing a splash of colour into an otherwise dull work day, but this does not seem enough motivation - no one I could see was even looking at the works, just rushing past them on the way to meetings.conferences/moderations/arbitrations (depressing I know).
The idea that I came up with was that modern art prioritises certain things that the banking world, and contemporary culture in general, prioritises; impenetrable, seemless surfaces.
This conclusion may appear at bit oblique but I'll clarify what I mean in my next post
postscript: apologies for the lack of photos (I'm at work).
As I wandered through the corridors I was amazed by the amount of modern art around me. In each hall there were Pollock-esque paintings hanging on the walls whilst in open spaces such as reception foyers incongruous sculptural pieces were installed.
Why all the art I thought to myself as I caught the lift back to the ground floor - none of the bankers I had seen seemed overly struck by any of the work, as far as I could tell they all had their 'eyes on the prize' $$$. And anyway none of the bankers that I've ever met have been keen on art let alone modern art.
So if no one's interested in the art, what's it all doing in the building. Aesthetically, I guess the stuff is pleasing to have around, bringing a splash of colour into an otherwise dull work day, but this does not seem enough motivation - no one I could see was even looking at the works, just rushing past them on the way to meetings.conferences/moderations/arbitrations (depressing I know).
The idea that I came up with was that modern art prioritises certain things that the banking world, and contemporary culture in general, prioritises; impenetrable, seemless surfaces.
This conclusion may appear at bit oblique but I'll clarify what I mean in my next post
postscript: apologies for the lack of photos (I'm at work).
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