At the Tate Modern museum in London, UK, is a new art installation by Colombian artist Doris Salcedo: a 548 ft (167 m) crack on the floor, one foot (30 cm) wide in some places that set the museum back £300,000 and more than 6 months to create. The art piece is officially titled Shibboleth, though it's now more commonly known as "Doris's crack".
And already three people fell in it and hurt themselves:
Creator Salcedo said it involved delicate and intricate sculpting which took place on two continents. The crack is said to represent the division problem of integrating immigrants into European society. [...]
But visitors have already paid the price for failing to heed warning signs. And a builder said if he had been responsible for the crack he would be sued for health and safety breaches. [...]
One observer said: "Instead of art imitating life, here it's threatening life."
But apparently, overall, people liked this crack: Link
I could nail a panda bear to mailbox and call it "art", but that certainly wouldn't make it art.
(Having said that: ted's post really made me laugh.)
Call me weird, but I like the crack. At least a lot more than the white canvas painting.
If you look at that crack, and imagine each curve and jagged edge being meticulously sculpted and painted in various shades to imitate a real crack, its a lot of work. Even IF nature could do it in a second.
You sort of have to appreciate it the same way as you would a set/prop designers work. Stage sets and movie props often look very commonplace and natural, but they take a LOT of work to get that way by people who never get a ounce of appreciation. You don't think about the scenery in a movie when its good. You only notice it when its BAD. If you didn't notice a thing, then most likely it was done by someone who labored meticulously over it, for weeks and possibly months.
plus...this reminds me of Indiana Jones and the Last crusade. Hmm... wonder if theres a tiny chalace stuck down there somewhere. :P
I like the idea of it, in fact, it looks well executed and quite interesting. I don't like paying that amount of money or the "oh, $symbolism" or the fact it's a food wide and 3' deep in places.
I want to break in at night and fill it full of pollyfilla. Apparently that would be art too.