What’s the story, Barney?

Yes. I think Barney–and David Salle is another example (see image)– is symptomatic of what’s wrong with the art world at its worst. What’s the point of being this inaccessible and self-absorbed, other than to flummox THE CRITICS (and some very important ones at that, Michael Kimmelman) into believing there’s something there, there? It’s the emperor’s-new-clothes approach to making it in the art world. I’m not saying the imagery isn’t arresting, both for its looks and its creepiness. But the story that would elevate it and justify it so that the viewer is led by the artist into his weird world just isn’t there.–Libby