Size Does Matter

I received this announcement recently and it made me scratch my head.

The FLAG Art Foundation is pleased to present "Size DOES Matter", curated by basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal. This exciting exhibition, on view from February 18, 2010 - May 27, 2010, includes works from international artists exploring the myriad ways that scale affects the perception of contemporary art.
Weighing 320 pounds and standing 7'1" atop his size 22 shoes, Shaq is one of the most dominant players ever to play in the NBA. Throughout his career, O'Neal has capitalized on his size and strength to overpower opponents for points and rebounds earning him nicknames such as Diesel and Superman. Now Shaq takes the opportunity to reflect on his size with an exhibition boasting works from microscopic to giant pieces that have the ability to dwarf and exaggerate everyone -- even Shaq himself.

Artists have readily utilized the element of size. Large and small objects require different approaches, elicit unique responses from their viewer, and reflect the varying purposes in which works of art were meant to serve. This dynamic exhibition will include a variety of mediums that play with scale as a key component in the composition of the artwork. Every work in the show was selected by Shaq himself or is being newly made at his request.

There is no question Shaq has done some impressive things in his life... but curate a contemporary art exhibit in NYC? I’m not so sure even Shaq's former alter-ego, Kazaam, can legitimately pull this one off.

Regardless, artists are lining up and hoping to be selected. This could be interesting. But, it forces me to ask the question (again): Why do art institutions continue to feel the need to link themselves to pop culture personalities - no matter how remotely associated they may be to the organization's mission? I'll call it pandering and leave it at that.

Oh, and by the way, here is a description of FLAG from their website:

The FLAG Art Foundation is a new exhibition space for contemporary art. The program includes 4 to 6 professionally-curated shows each year. Each consists of works by established and emerging international artists. The objective is to present a venue in which visitors can view, contemplate, and be inspired by the artworks that curators will select and borrow from a variety of sources. FLAG also plans to facilitate loans of contemporary artworks to museums around the world.

Sometimes the irony hurts my head.

Comments

[Maureen E. Doallas]

Sorry but I laughed out loud at the idea of Shaq curating an art exhibition. But what do I know!

[Maureen E. Doallas]

The latest ArtNews has an article about Shaq's selections.

Question: Have you heard of this:
http://www.boost-art.com/
Curious about what you think of it.

[Foust]

Years ago, I did a festival in Petersburg where the top award was $10,000. Somehow, they decided to have the mayor choose the awards. The results were about what you'd expect--nice art, perfect for a hotel lobby.
Couldn't help wondering when Petersburg planned to let an artist run the city, turnabout being fair play and all.

[jane]

Yeah size sometimes does matter.

[Katherine M. James]

hahah.. me too a laugh a lot about that idea.