Despite the mass transition to the virtual side, interest in art in real life does not subside: paintings are taken out of museums, and we, the audience, are proud of five hours in line for Serov. But what is behind this? Want to be on trend? Interest in a particular artist, fueled by the media? What is more in a picture that gathers crowds of spectators – the talent of its creator or successful marketing? About this Argentine comedy “Masterpiece”.
Renzo Nervi is once a successful artist, and now a reclusive creator, a sullen, uncompromising grumbler. He hates parties and critics and refuses to take orders. Most of the time he paints large-scale canvases in a cluttered apartment, surrounded by numerous pets – only they seem to be able to endure his nasty character.
His friend Arturo Silva is an art dealer. He has his own gallery in the center of Buenos Aires and one big problem: in the last ten years he has not sold a single picture of a friend. No, Renzo has not become more mediocre, it’s just that times have changed. And how is it possible to sell an artist of the XNUMXth century in the XNUMXst century, if he flatly refuses to play by the rules of the market and participate in his own promotion?
Having suffered with a friend who stubbornly misses every opportunity to improve things, Silva figures out how to circle the art community around her finger. This is how “Masterpiece” turns out – a witty conversation about art and the ability of an artist to remain independent in creativity.
“Art can create its own reality. Don’t think that you don’t understand it. There is nothing to understand here”
Director Gaston Duprat plays with several themes at once. The first is friendship: it is no coincidence that the film’s slogan is “The story of one scam of (crossed out) friendship.” What makes Arturo maintain a relationship with Renza, who drowns not only himself, but everyone who tries to help him somehow? There is something about the connection between friends that overrides the problems and inconveniences, but what? Do we have such friends?
The second and main question: is it possible to become a successful artist without investing in the image? The answer to it is unequivocal – even Renzo, who stubbornly refuses to appear in front of the cameras and talk to journalists, explains to the young man who imposed himself on him as a student: “You work methodically, consistently, and besides, modestly. And with such qualities you will not be an artist. To be a successful artist, you have to be ambitious and selfish. Art is created because they do not know how to do anything else.
Another topic: what makes a masterpiece, and art – art? “Art can create its own reality. Don’t think that you don’t understand it. There is nothing to understand here.”
But in order for us, the audience, to want to get acquainted with this reality, to spend time on a ticket and money on standing in line, we need to be interested in any way. Sometimes you even have to die for it.
More films about contemporary art
“I shot Andy Warhol” (1996) – a drama based on real events about the writer and radical feminist Valerie Solans, who in 1968 made an attempt on Warhol’s life. To a greater extent, this tape is a biopic of Solance, but it contains the theme of the artist’s personality and his influence on others.
“High Museum, Low Museum” (2008) – a comedy about the audience and the motives that encourage visiting museums.
“Exit Through the Gift Shop” (2010) is a fascinating mockumentary by the great hoaxer Banksy about street artists, but more about where real art ends and kitsch begins.
“In the presence of the artist” (2012) is a documentary about the preparation of Marina Abramović, the “grandmother of performance”, for the exhibition, which became the biggest event in the history of performance.
“Square” (2017) – Swedish social satire on contemporary art, awarded the Palme d’Or at the 70th Cannes Film Festival.