If you're a fan of Goodwill, or curbsides on trashday you see a lot of bad art. We do too,
and we actually have a soft spot for it. Not in large doses, but sometimes the simplest, most sincerely painted
painting, even if its got no feet, or the eyes seem to follow you around can make a corner of a room sing...
Those of us who appreciate the effort that goes into a painting will be glad to know that
the infamous Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) has just opened a 2nd location in the basement of
the Somerville Theater in Davis square. Before this month, the collection has been displayed (since 1994)
only outside the mens room in the basement if the Dedham Community Theater. Now, with MOBA 2
coming to Somerville, you can take the T.
Louise Sacco, the museums permanent acting interim executive director, says that "in order for a piece
to make it into the collection, its important that the piece has to be art". They look for sincerity,
and the attention and care that went into the painting. "It has to communicate something and
elicit a response-- but in an interesting way".
When you see the works in the collection, you can't help but notice the earnestness
of effort that obviously went into them, and you can't help but ponder what went wrong.
Whether its the vase of flowers without the vase, or the impressionist painting of George
without feet. We love art with a story.
Safe at Home
When we visited the gallery this week, we spent most of our time in front of this baseball painting
trying to figure it out. It took talking to the curator-in-chief, Michael Frank to realize that the play is at the plate,
(I had originally thought the umpire was a businessman with a briefcase) and he pointed out that there is just never a situation
where you would slide into home like that. Thats not to say he doesn't think the painting is great. He thinks they all are.
Ronan the pug
The folks who run the museum couldn't leave it there, they also have a brand new book.
Its called "The Museum of Bad Art: Masterworks" and it memorializes over 70 pieces for your coffeetable
(ok, its not actually that big). MOBA's website says that "from Prosthetic Claw to Drilling for Eggs, its clear
that many of these artists suffered for their art: now its our turn". You can order it and read the
hither-untold stories behind the art here.
Admission to the MOBA-2 in the Somerville Theater is, as always, still free. Although check the movie schedule,
because you may have to buy a movie ticket in order to get in.
The Somerville Theater
55 Davis Square
Somerville, MA 02144
-Jeanine Brennan
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
I like how Sheba looks like a monkey. Wait, is Sheba a monkey? Is Charlie playing a harmonica?
view bumble's profile
I still don't get the baseball one. Is that a decapitated deer?
view srw's profile
bumble, I think Charlie may have forgotten to remove his retainer.
I love that painting. Sheba rocks.
view rhiana's profile
these DO look earnest.
view andrew from brooklyn's profile
hehehhe
view little flower's profile
I love this stuff. I once bought a bad fruit painting from a elderly woman who took a painting class and then set up a sign on her front lawn - "Bad Art for sale". That painting hung in my kitchen for 10 years before it went to the Goodwill.
view peacelily's profile
The collections links on the MOBA site aren't working.
I was also intregued by the baseball scene...
"Then thereâs the baseball-themed âSafe at Home,â showing a Red Sox player successfully avoiding a tag at the plate but simultaneously being eaten by a satyr." http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/archive/x1478013398/The-popular-Museum-of-Bad-Art-expands
I don't know if this statement is from the artist, or a critic's interpretation.
view peacelily's profile
Aw hahahah This made me laugh. And it makes me feel like the "art" I create may someday be hung in a gallery similar to the MOBA.
view tootsiegirl's profile
Satyr. That's the word I was looking for. Thanks, peacelily.
view Erika in Seattle's profile
Oh man, that pug! Goodlord that made me laugh really hard.
I wonder if MOBA has thought of making cards, like "Hey man, at least you weren't getting attacked by a Satyr"
Maybe that's just my sick humor talking
view bebetree's profile
I kind of like the pointillist guy with no feet.
view Valerie's profile
Ha, ha, ha...
But no.
view chris (nyc)'s profile
I would love to see a flip sign displayed underneath each painting at the Bad Art Museum. Participants could flip the sign to read "good art" on one side or "bad art" on the other side as so compelled. You know, the kind of sign like they have on store front windows that say opened/ closed.
view Claire125's profile
I love this museum! It even inspired me to write my senior art history thesis on kitsch, camp and bad art back in the day. Their catalog had me double over laughing in the bookstore. Hilarious!
view molly_DC's profile
I came back to look at the art again - I may need to buy the masterworks catalogue - "Among the works are the immortal No Visible Means of Support, Retch Like an Egyptian; Bone-Juggling Dog in Hula Skirt; Alien Adam and Eve; Lulli, Fowl and Gravestone; and the ever-troubling Spewing Rubik's Cubes."
Jerez the Clown is scary http://www.museumofbadart.org/collection/portraiture-11.html
view peacelily's profile
Still chuckling here. Thanks, I needed a good laugh tonite. Some of the pieces actually look as good as some the recent "so called real art" I've seen lately.
view citygirlincountry's profile
i love the subtlety of AT and the posting of this particular topic at this time. people need to be more open-minded and give a chance to some ideas whether or not the ideas are aesthetically or morally pleasing to all. bien hecho compadres!!!
view little flower's profile
How sweet! There is an earnestness in the work that is endearing and worthy of recognition.
view KWorld's profile
What if I have pieces to donate?
I have a painting of a little girl hugging a chicken and of a middle aged lady letting a pigeon eat out of her mouth... Somehow I can't find a place for them here anymore.... ;)
view ce_pelle's profile
I like it too in its simplicity. Must check out artist Max Miller if you're not familiar with his work- quite stunning and sophisticated portraits of dogs. A real modern talent.
http://www.blinkdecor.com/listings.php?gde=1&cat=8
view cdirvin's profile
ChristineBadina, I would totally hang that in my house. Um, maybe... :)
How do you get into this museum? I imagine that some of the paintings I did in college would wind up here... and then I would break down.
view Iver Jane's profile
I love quirky works of art. Definitely interesting conversation pieces.
view suzy8track's profile
ChristineBadina, please provide a link to photos of your paintings.They sound to damn good and must be shared.
view Seaside's profile
ronan the pug made me LOL. that is so great. :-)
view lala's profile
i guess i'm insane because i love the top painting.
view *heather leaf*'s profile