I'm all for populist art. But I'll readily admit to being a bit embarrassed for the city that Thomas Kinkade, the much-collected
-- and much-mocked -- "painter of light," has been named the featured artist for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway three-year
Centennial Era celebration. The festivities kick off with a gala later this month.
Kinkade will create a new work that wil serve as the cover for the
Indianapolis 500 Program.
“Imagine an image that details the running of the Indy 500 – but incorporates the cars from the past through today!” Kinkade stated in a press release. “It will include the magnificence of the famous Pagoda, the historical significance of the Brickyard – and of course the city of Indianapolis in the distance."
No word of whether or not there will be a cottage involved.
Brace yourself for the unveiling on Feb. 27.
Kinkade will create a new work that wil serve as the cover for the
Indianapolis 500 Program.
“Imagine an image that details the running of the Indy 500 – but incorporates the cars from the past through today!” Kinkade stated in a press release. “It will include the magnificence of the famous Pagoda, the historical significance of the Brickyard – and of course the city of Indianapolis in the distance."
No word of whether or not there will be a cottage involved.
Brace yourself for the unveiling on Feb. 27.
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Hope Baugh
Indy Theatre Habit dot com
Here's the link:
http://www.thomaskinkade.com/magi/daytona/home.do
So sad and a slap in the face to some wonderful Indiana artists.
Even Peter Max would have been a better choice. I also remind the Speedway that the wonderful artist Alexander Calder once painted an airplane for a promotion.
Remember the IMS also spent a gazillion dollars on Gene Simmons of KISS for 'promotion.' A true musical talent???!!!
What a joke.
*Shoulders slump*
The selection of Thomas Kinkade is equivalent to selecting the designer of the Precious Moments figurines. I am not joking.
The loyal following of Thomas Kinkade you speak of is our grandmas. If that's the audience the 500 is trying to attract, so be it.
Quadruple exclamation points + All caps = Drama Queen ;-)
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ben,
Your comment that it needs to look nice not good is astonishing. I have no idea what that means.
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Some of you have got stop playing defense every time something is legitimately criticized.
I would much rather see what someone like Brian Priest would do with this, but you don't have to go to the opposite extreme (conceptually) to find someone that most artists would find less objectionable than Kinkade.
It could have been worse...
While I understand your distaste for Kinkade and agree, I don't think your criticism of Ms. Henderson is quite fair. She has appeared in numerous Broadway Plays over the years. And, just last year, she was invited to appear on the QEII as the featured performer and singer. While her singing style may not appeal to you and that is fair, her appearance at the 500 has more to do with tradition than anything else. Fans like to remember Jim Nabors, Flo Henderson, and when rarely they can still hear him, Tom Carnegie.
If they're not embarrass , I am.
Artist James Wille Faust
I second (third, fourth?) the suggestion that the folks at IMS seem to be void of taste in general. Another site I read mentioned Wayne Newton as a performer at the unveiling.
I do draw the line at taking potshots at Florence Henderson, though. She's a Hoosier treasure.
I also have worked in a Kinkade gallery and know first hand that his following is not just little old ladies. The people who take his work home range in age from early 20's to almost dead! The average collector (one who buys more than one canvas) is probably in the mid thirties!!!
Any organization, whether in racing or elsewhere, would be foolish not to attempt to bring a variety of people into interest for whatever they are selling. I am sorry, but institution or not, IMS is selling!!!!!!!!! They have to sell tickets. They have to promote--and not just locally! I know fans of racing, Indy or Nascar or whatever, are very proud of the sport and the drivers, etc. etc....
But you all need to get a grip!! You may not like it, but let's be reasonable. You surely can understand why your organization would want to do this!