letters for a postcynical
Why we need a post-cynical renaissance
We must address, particularly, what we perceive as a disconnect between the contemporary art scene and the wider public. We believe this rift between art and the people is detrimental and corrosive to both.
The following pieces attempt to analyze this cynical paradigm and suggest countermeasures against its symptoms. We long to see a movement towards “Sincerity” – art that is more sincere and, thus, we argue, more accessible to broader audiences.
Our goal is a change of paradigm, leaving behind us the Age of Cynicism. Not just by way of destructive criticism, however, but with a breakthrough to a more constructive space of artistic and cultural production. Future issues will dedicate space to exploring the positive substance of this new paradigm.
Now, let’s dive in …
Towards a post-cynical era
The contemporary art and culture scene could be predominantly described as “cynical”. From the best-selling work of Jeff Koons, whose work makes up two of the five most expensive artworks by a living artist, to the endless installments of carbon copy megafranchise superhero films and their deconstructive counterparts that seek to endlessly subvert those very same heroes’ journeys, we cannot help but feel that things are not ideal. But what can we do?