Modern Art In The Age Of The Rabbit

Modern art, from a rabbitized society:

Those planning to visit New York’s Park Avenue Armory this summer may be overwhelmed by the urge to plug their ears, shield their eyes, or breathe deeply into a paper bag–not what we typically associate from the grand and elegant historic space.

But these physical and emotional responses won’t surprise anyone familiar with the British artist Martin Creed, who has invaded the Armory’s entire first floor with the largest-ever retrospective of his work in the U.S.

Titled “The Back Door,” the exhibition opens Wednesday and features films of people vomiting and defecating; a room where lights flicker on and off; a piano that opens and slams shut, as if by the ghost of an angry composer; the incessant ticking of metronomes; and another room filled with white balloons.

When amygdalae are so damaged they literally can’t see something which poses a threat to life, you need ever stronger stimuli to trip them, and draw their attention.

Again, this is a scale, so after another century of free resources, it is not impossible you would actually have exhibits containing live people vomiting on the art enthusiasts, as they strolled through the gallery. When it comes to r, the depths are limitless.