When painting goes wrong

First, I discovered today that Vienna has been rated first in quality of life. That's first in the world! Well, technically it tied with Zurich but no one here is talking about that. I mean Zurich, Really. How could that place matter? I think it would have been a slam dunk for Vienna, were it not for the dog poop problem. Yes, every modern city has its problems: LA has its street gangs. New York its drugs. Washington DC its murders. And Vienna its dog poop. I guess you can't have a modern city without its problems as this the city with the highest quality of living demonstrates. However their anti poop campaign is in ernest--as this little dog sign demonstrates--36 euros if they catch you leaving your dogs leavings behind.  Watch out Zurich!

Well on to art. Vienna may be the art capital of the world. The city spends more on the arts each year than the US government does. Think about that. 

But after you've seen so many van Goghs, Picassos, Rembrandts, Gauguins blah, blah, blah where do you go? You've seen the best. There is nowhere to turn except to the bad. So went to the Museum of Modern are to see their exhibit: Bad Painting, Good Art. Here is the anouncements:



Oh my gosh. Look at this! Isn't it awful?



And this one is so thought provoking:



Here's a bit of brilliant religious iconic art:



And this was their poster child, but oddly I really liked it. I honestly couldn't see why it was called a bad painting.



Trust me we are only touching the tip of an iceberg in terms of bad painting. My camera battery died before I finished. But this broad perspective will give you an overview.



Then there was the Mind Expanders exhibit. Let me just say that while I thought that I was so jaded I was beyond being disturbed by art. I am not. That's the point of great art I'm told. Well mission accomplished.

Then I discovered something. You might wonder where great modern painting comes from. I was wandering a little lost and despite my command of the German language I can hardly ever read the signs. I wandered down some stairs and discovered a small room where great art was being made! Who is it made by? Have you ever wondered about who the people that filled our museums with art were? In this room in the basement I saw it action and can now answer that question! Watch this video clip (it's short only 2.5 megs) but will reveal the truth as never before revealed to world:

It's made by prisoners!