PARTS IS PARTS

Electricians put their sculpture among those of artist at Dia:Beacon (Associated Press, 6/12/2003)

The phrase, ''I could do that'' is often heard at modern art museums around the United States.

Some electricians working at the Dia:Beacon museum tried to prove it.

After viewing works by John Chamberlain, a creator of abstract sculptures who uses materials such as crushed automobile parts, a group of electricians created their own work and placed it alongside Chamberlain's.

About a week passed before anyone noticed the addition to the exhibit, featuring such works as ''Norma Jean Risen,'' ''Doom's Day Flotilla'' and ''The Privet.''

The point being that if they'd painted a picture that was indistguishable from a group of Rembrandts, it would be a great work of art. But if you imitate modern art precisely both original and homage are junk. Posted by Orrin Judd at June 15, 2003 10:05 AM