[00:48.83]Art Critic:I think I've said enough, so now it's the turn of the audience. Would anyone like to start the ball rolling and comment on anything I said earlier in my talk? Ah that young gentleman over there...
[01:00.59]Jake: Hi. My name's Jake and I've got a question for you. You referred to outsider art as being the work of self-taught rather than trained or professional artists... Does that mean anyone can produce art, then?
[01:13.85]Art Critic:Well, what we define as art will always remain subjective. But given that we can agree more or less on a common perception of what Is actually 'art', then yes, anyone In theory can produce art. The challenge, though, is to produce 'good art'.
[01:29.32]Lucy: Excuse me... May I ask a question, please?
[01:32.32]Art Critic:Yes of course... Would you like to introduce yourself to the audience?
[01:35.56]Lucy: Sure, my name's Lucy.
[01:38.48]Art Critic:: So Lucy, what would you like to ask?
[01:41.80]Lucy: Don't you think that untrained artists lack the necessary technique to produce good art? I felt that some of the paintings by 'outsider' artists that you showed us earlier were, to be honest, rather crude.
[01:53.74]Art Critic:I think you're confusing technique with art here. A great technique doesn't guarantee great art you know. But I think impressive art can still be produced by gifted artists lacking in what are accepted as basic art skills. OK. Can I have another question from a member of the audience, please?
[02:15.47]Dave: Hi. I've got a question. Oh, my name's Dave, by the way... I just wanted to ask how many outsider artists were or are recognised in their lifetime?
[02:25.83]Art Critic: Relatively few. The exceptions are the ones who create particularly monumental or significant works of art, like Nek Chand's sculpture garden in India or Ferdinand Cheval's fantastic building, the 'Palace Ideal'. Both, as you know, were created purely from recycled materials.
[02:45.70]Dave: Yeah, they were pretty amazing...I remember them from the slides you showed earlier.
[02:51.34]Art Critic: But what impresses people most is not so much the sheer scale of these buildings and sculptures as the work involved. These artists built their works single-handedly over many years and more to the point - in total secret, as they lacked planning permission. That adds to the romance of the whole undertaking, don't you think?
[03:13.23]Dave: Well, their work certainly impressed me!
[03:15.95]Art Critic: Yes, outsider art certainly produces work that is one-of-a-kind.
[03:57.34]Art Critic: So, now I would like to pose some questions to the audience. First, I would like to ask someone from the audience which, out of all the outsider artwork I showed you previously, is the most impressive and why?
[04:12.44]Jake: Excuse me, may I...?
[04:14.20]Art Critic: Oh yes, hello again, Jake. So tell me, which artwork was your favourite?
[04:20.18]Jake: Well, funnily enough, the paintings by Adolf Wolfi. I know the perspective is crazy and all over the place but the work is so detailed!
[04:28.90]Art Critic: Well, look at the great artists, like Picasso and Matisse. Perspective, or lack of It, was never an Issue with them.
[04:36.58]Jake: Oddly, whilst I appreciate that style In outsider art, I can't say the same for modern art. I guess it's because I don't approach the two art forms with the same set of expectations.
[04:47.68]Art Critic: Interesting... You mean you expect more of artists with obvious skill and a professional training, like Picasso and Matisse?
[04:56.08]Jake: Guess so. You know, I expect modern artists to use conventions like perspective, at least. And another thing: Q26 I can't really understand why modern artists are often so highly acclaimed by critics, whilst outsider artists are virtually ignored - that's probably because they are generally not as skillful, I suppose.
[05:15.62]Art Critic: I take your point. I imagine with the exception of outsider artists, you tend to like work by more traditional artists?
[05:24.46]Jake: I suppose. Like everyone I can appreciate Renaissance Art as exemplified by Da Vinci and Michelangelo. Amazing technique and all that... and I also understand the popularity of Impressionist artists, too.
[05:38.20]Art Critic: One other question... What's your opinion of modern sculpture? Do you have the same opinion of modern sculpture as you do of modern painting?
[05:47.00]Jake: I think all sculptors have to be pretty skilled to work with materials like metal and stone, so I admire them in a way. But many modern sculptures, particularly public artworks, are often given praise I feel they don't deserve.
[06:00.24]Art Critic: Hmmm... You seem to have quite definite views about art! Well, It was most interesting hearing your views.
