Inspired by the TV thread below, looking at the four Turner finalists (on TV; I haven't been to the Tate yet) - do we think them art?

Do we consider Damien art?

Or Emin?

My friend Deniz doesn't but I can understand it whilst not liking a lot of it.

I think most of what passes for modern "art" is a bad joke. It confounds me why Damien Hirsts' work sells for such silly amounts of money.

Funny this should be mentioned today... there's a real sad story on BBC News about Tony Hart who thanks to 2 strokes can no longer paint, draw or write, a source of much sadness to him. Now there was a special talent who did wonders for Art, introducing two or three generations of youngsters to Art and inspiring a great many of them to take up and explore Art.

I suppose I'm the worst person to comment as my idols in art are Dickens and Shakespeare for words; Michelangelo for sculpture and painting - yet I do like some of Damien's work.

Tony Hart. Such a shame. why is it always the good guys that suffer?

Angel wrote:
Tony Hart. Such a shame. why is it always the good guys that suffer?

Indeed. A very charming and likeable bloke with immense talent and an incredible career. I was stunned when I saw some old episodes of "Billy Bunter" from the mid 1950s and seeing Tony's name in the credits for the cartoons seen in the titles! It is sad he cannot enjoy his twilight years (he's now 83) doing what he did and enjoyed best.

I vividly remember his shows - his camp neckties endured well past the 1970's
Didn't like the irritating Mr Bennet janitor character though....

I wonder how Morph is taking the news? Hopefully Chas will be there as a shoulder to cry on.

Foz wrote:
I vividly remember his shows - his camp neckties endured well past the 1970's
Didn't like the irritating Mr Bennet janitor character though....

No, I didn't like Mr Bennett either. I have one of the very first episodes of "Take Hart" from 1976 and it's Tony on his own. It's very charming and relaxed and Tony barely ever speaks. So, I think they introduced the janitor character to kick some "life" into it which wasn't that necessary since without him, it's lovely chilled out TV!