FAKE!
But bogus art show will go on
Vortex No.24 by Jef Bourgeau
by Michael Hedges
Special for the Daily Post
Years ago that would have been an embarrassment to conceal, but this new
“One of our goals, other than selling art, is to educate our audience,” said Christina Speaks, gallery owner and daughter of the late Jane Speaks. “You can learn a tremendous amount by looking at an object that is not quite right. For the public, it can seem like magic that one is right and one is not. Jef’s art demystifies that process.”
The phonies — 10 paintings on canvas and 14 prints on paper — will still go on sale for the gallery’s inaugural exhibit on July 25th as if duplicity no longer matters in the world.
“There are a couple works that are too good to be true and a few that are so bad that I can’t believe anyone will take them seriously,” said Edna Pruett, a fiery redhead and local college curator who questioned their origins from the start.
"They aren't true to form, but mere simulations of art," said Edna. "Bourgeau has used computer software to go through all the motions in a few meager hours that a real artist struggles over for weeks, months or even years."
Speaks tried to shrug off the growing controversy: "It’s totally absurd. The show hasn't opened yet and your so-called experts haven't even viewed the work in person."
When polled, a nearby gallery owner reacted with the ultimate thumbs down. "It's bathroom art," said Robert Mann, in a twitter exchange with this reporter. "Nowdays the computer can generate anything, even crap."
"They're the ones tapping into artificial intelligence and pulling flimsy critiques out of their you-know-what," Speaks reacted bluntly. "How can an artist fake his own art anyway?"
"That's obvious enough," Edna countered, "because he's a fake artist. His technique is not his own, but the by-product of a computer program - in conspiracy with an ink-jet printer and some canvas remnants."
Other noted experts have since confirmed that Bourgeau's "paintings" may indeed be counterfeit.
Note the ragged pixelation in this detail from Vortex No.24
"They don't have the tactile depth and signature strokes one would find in a real painting," agreed Carlos Reed, director of the city museum. "All these properties are indeed imitated onto the canvas, but, when viewed in person, they will surely reveal themselves as flat, lifeless and ultimately unreal."
If given the opportunity, what would Ms. Pruett say to the artist?
"Mr. Bourgeau, your pixels are showing," Edna quipped. "Pixelated brushstrokes do not equal true impasto nor true art."
In a century where much of new art is up for grabs, Christina Speaks continues to insist that they do.
Christina Speaks
is located in the Oakland Arts Complex at 7 North Saginaw, Pontiac.
The gallery's inaugural exhibit and reception will be July 25, Saturday from 3 - 6pm.
email: speaksmodernart@aol.com for more information.