The Odd Nerdrum school has woven around themselves a strange mix of Ayn Rand objectivism, coupled with a weird subtext of subjectivism which they dress up as objective observation. It is riddled through with so many odd paradoxes, contradictions - conservative liberalism, religious agnosticism, anti modernist modernism, and the idea of the meritocrat outcast. A rational mind simply cannot subsist in this mulch of disparate philosophical pudding. The art they produce tends to all look the same: little carbon copies of Odd Nerdrum: odd figures, in odd sepia-tinted landscapes, doing odd things, for no one in particular and for everyone in general.
I agree with you, yet maybe I'm biased I just love panting and get attracted to anybody who marches in one direction like a mad man for no reason. I agree also that sometimes artists should not talk much :)
I would add an almost authoritarian approach to art. I hate to sound as if Im comparing anyone to Nazis because sincerely this is not my point, but its very similar to how Hitler, as rejected by the popular art world, demanded to know what was ‘true beauty, true art’. He created a definition that rejected everything outside of antiquity, outside of tradition. Odd has been labeled Kitch by the art world, a label he has tried to spin into his own definition & movement, but since has been equally vocal as to what ‘real’ art should contain or how it should b constructed. Also rejecting anything that does not pay homage to tradition.....as well, in the most obvious, some might say cliche way....
@@friedricengravy6646 I would not call his art kitsch - another confused, confusing, and contradictory label. I just find it... oddly (though gravely) vacuous. I think, like many minorities rejected by the majority - he has tried to take a negative label and make it work FOR his cause in a positive way. In this case, it has not been a great success. The reason is that - no matter how much we would love to (and I do) - you cannot turn back the clock, you cannot resuscitate a corpse, and you cannot use the Heimlich Manoeuvre on the dead. The only thing one can do when confronted by art of the Nerdrum school is marvel at the extreme technical prowess, but the images, the ideas, the objects, and the narrative is empty, because the narratives that are suited to, and were suitable for, such depictions are gone.
@@sebastianmelmoth685 actually, I agree about the followers and the criticism that has clouded experience. And the probably political tactic of using kitsch.. But I think the work is so beyond all this. Yes the crazy parade of acolytes , and his son, have taken a disturbing turn, and maybe Odd has influenced this. But I truly believe there is much more relevant meaning, about the human experience in the work, not vacuous, but speaking to the fallout and repercussions of Norwegian experience( and universal) of Occupation, in this case by Hitler, rooted in the work. I find myself baffled here as I am about TS Elliot. I think we must look beyond the hand that creates to the work itself.
@@sebastianmelmoth685I strongly disagree with what you write here. Nerdrum, and his devoted students, have opened a fresh view into painting. And the results they provider are amazing.
Ronney I love this video you have made discussing Odd Nedrum. I found all of the details relating to Rembrandt and Titian's palettes and paint applications as well as compositional techniques completely fascinating. Thank you
A comrad! I have enjoyed Nerdrum's work for 30 + years, after I first discovered "The Water Protectors" And the controversy it has caused in the art world. I met a museum curator that had the painting " Iron Law" on loan and refused to show it!!!!! Infuriating.
Nerdrum deserves more conversation examining his design & compositional skills. He showed a range of paint handling as his interests changed from the earliest works forward, but what is a consistent element is a master class in picture design. From large shapes & deep contrast in value to the spotlight he utilizes to lead our eye, its all intentional & consistently effective. Then, wether its his earlier pallet or his minimalist approach in later years, color is always impactful & never gaudy. We can all have an opinion regarding his style or wether he chased Rembrandt too closely. We can ask the question, but nevertheless, his genius remains. He has effectively created drama, a narrative, mystery, & discussion. Love or hate his work, its never ignored. In a vast ocean of work put forth by millions of artists from all over the world, this achievement should not b taken lightly.
Actually, it was Rembrandt who mentioned Apelles when he was reading some passage from Pliny the Elder. and no Odd's influence comes directly from Italian limited pigments, Apelles was a fresco plaster painter. besides all that Odd used to paint with a much more extended palette and he painted more like Caravaggio (who also paints limited )
yes he does but in his documentary and the videos his son made which you can watch on Vimeo, he never mentions Zorn, Odd is constantly referring to Rembrandt. but yes it is exactly Zorn palette same pigments including vermillion and titanium.
@@Ronney-Aragundi What is the source on which the assumption is based that Rembrandt read a passage of Pliny the elder, and mentions Apelles? I never read that anywhere from a contemporary source.
@@Ronney-Aragundi Forgive the extremely late comment but I’ve been very interested in limited palettes and this was a bit of a rabbit hole I’ve researched extensively. There is a bit of an obsession with the “Apelles Palette” among the followers of Nerdrum. There is actually a TH-cam channel titled The Cave of Apelles hosted by Jan-Ove Tuv (Nerdrum student) and supported in part by Nerdrum. Supposedly, Rembrandt was fascinated by this Apelles palette later in life. I’ve seen an interview of ones of Nerdrum’s protégés and the students that really follow his teachings very strictly seem to have an aversion to calling it the Zorn palette, although that’s the common modern term. They do use the term Zorn palette occasionally, but only in passing to say that it’s really the Apelles palette.
15:00 I appreciate your opinion regarding Nerdrum's style being conservative and centered on the idea of 17th century artists' style to the exclusion of all other painting styles, if I understand you properly, Badbug. But I'd add his adopting that style and then giving it a significant twist. The symbolism he uses amplifies the ideas and emotions represented. I find them endlessly fascinating, but they are not my lane. IMO, there's room at the table for Odd. I'll do my own thing but I appreciate Odd's oeuvre as a phenomenon in art that makes it such an incredible discipline.
I heard he doesn’t receive painter who are already skilled but the ones that are passionate and curious. It it a try and you never know maybe he will take you!
Nice view point of Odd. Most people just take a very aggressive blow on him without considering the amount of work he has put to his craft and His wealth of knowledge. I don't really think he is discrimitory to the new Artist. I feel he has a philosophy of how he sees art and he applies it. This new artist always tend to fall short of his philosophical structure. Aside that I don't think an Artist must consider everything called out to be art or like every style and form of Art.
There are a lot of people who have opinions about Odd Nerdrum and about Art. Yet many have not met him nor know his work intimately or have tried to produce even one good painting. They may have by chance encountered his work in a gallery but that is not enough. The same goes for Art. Imagine if non scientific minds who know nothing about science chimed in about it...oh wait that happens. People who don't paint and spout opinions about art are the climate change deniers of painting - they're just opinions and they know very little about what it takes. Many people don't realize how difficult it is to accomplish what Odd has done and the only thing people can do to elevate themselves is cut him down for his statements and philosophies about art. I don't agree with everything he says but he's certainly a breathe of fresh air in a stagnant pool run by yes men. Even philosophers don't always get it right but they're still more accomplished than the average joe-blow web surfer who can criticize from his self made podium. I am reminded of Nietzsche quote and will end there as my comment toward those who seem to only criticize Odd Nerdrum. "Great men's errors are to be venerated as more fruitful than little men's truths."
Ok. But some of us who are very critical of Nerdrum are not non-painters, and have been painting for many decades, and have works in many important collections and museums, and who are very skilled artists with good impressive accomplishments and resume's. And we have also multiple degrees in fine arts, have have worked with many of the best professors and artists, and have studied with some of the top art historians in the country. And so our criticisms should not necessarily be discounted. I find many faults with the paintings by Nerdrum.
@@KpxUrz5745 Fair enough but don't hide in anonymity and make vague remarks. Show us who you are, show us your work, tell us who your very impressive professors are also. Then, list the many "faults" Odd's work has.
@@lupegalvan9993 You will notice that someone posted this video for public comment. I did not post a video and have no desire or compunction to become a public spectacle on social media. And your wild demand for my identity and my resume' is nothing short of laughable and preposterous. You have no right whatsoever to make demands of me. Notice I ask NOTHING of you! If you are not happy with my cogent comments, that's your business. In fact I don't give a hoot about your objections to my comments. And why don't you ask every single person commenting here for their identity and credentials??? Let me guess: you only make such demands when anyone says something negative about Nerdrum. You are very pleased with all those commenters who just love Nerdrum. We the public are all invited to post comments here. Your problem is that you find the need to start filtering our comments based on YOUR personal issues.
@@lupegalvan9993 It doesn't surprise me that, ONCE AGAIN, you entirely miss the points I have already made. Your analogy is completely false and incorrect. I am not like an armchair sports fan yapping about the sport. I already told you that I DO play the game as far as being an active productive artist with a long professional education, background and resume'. You keep insisting that I reveal all on social media to toot my own horn. I do not operate like that. Go ahead, reject comments like mine and go on in your ignorance admiring Nerdrum.
The problem with Nerdrum is that he is not a good painter. People can think what they like about his appearance or personality or statements. I only care about good paintings, and as yet have not seen a good one produced by this man. As his name states, he is mostly just "odd".
@@kristianhelgesen4455 Clearly it is pointless to go back and forth on this. In fact I know a great deal about painting, which is why I am able to make this distinction and not be as easily impressed as most of the public are at these superficial lighting and mood effects. I could write a long treatise on Nerdrum's artistic failures. But just to take one example, his ability at "composition" is exceedingly weak.
@@georgebyron468 Thank you. I agree that it should be written, even if only to disabuse his audience of their misplaced admiration. All it really takes is a thorough study of art history to realize that these paintings are hardly even worth talking about. Which is one reason I will probably not want to spend time on such an effort.
Could you give an example of an artist or even just a painting/ piece of work that you think is good? Im truly curious. To me nerdrum is one of the best painters of our century
The Odd Nerdrum school has woven around themselves a strange mix of Ayn Rand objectivism, coupled with a weird subtext of subjectivism which they dress up as objective observation. It is riddled through with so many odd paradoxes, contradictions - conservative liberalism, religious agnosticism, anti modernist modernism, and the idea of the meritocrat outcast. A rational mind simply cannot subsist in this mulch of disparate philosophical pudding. The art they produce tends to all look the same: little carbon copies of Odd Nerdrum: odd figures, in odd sepia-tinted landscapes, doing odd things, for no one in particular and for everyone in general.
I agree with you, yet maybe I'm biased I just love panting and get attracted to anybody who marches in one direction like a mad man for no reason. I agree also that sometimes artists should not talk much :)
I would add an almost authoritarian approach to art. I hate to sound as if Im comparing anyone to Nazis because sincerely this is not my point, but its very similar to how Hitler, as rejected by the popular art world, demanded to know what was ‘true beauty, true art’. He created a definition that rejected everything outside of antiquity, outside of tradition. Odd has been labeled Kitch by the art world, a label he has tried to spin into his own definition & movement, but since has been equally vocal as to what ‘real’ art should contain or how it should b constructed. Also rejecting anything that does not pay homage to tradition.....as well, in the most obvious, some might say cliche way....
@@friedricengravy6646 I would not call his art kitsch - another confused, confusing, and contradictory label. I just find it... oddly (though gravely) vacuous. I think, like many minorities rejected by the majority - he has tried to take a negative label and make it work FOR his cause in a positive way. In this case, it has not been a great success. The reason is that - no matter how much we would love to (and I do) - you cannot turn back the clock, you cannot resuscitate a corpse, and you cannot use the Heimlich Manoeuvre on the dead. The only thing one can do when confronted by art of the Nerdrum school is marvel at the extreme technical prowess, but the images, the ideas, the objects, and the narrative is empty, because the narratives that are suited to, and were suitable for, such depictions are gone.
@@sebastianmelmoth685 actually, I agree about the followers and the criticism that has clouded experience. And the probably political tactic of using kitsch.. But I think the work is so beyond all this. Yes the crazy parade of acolytes , and his son, have taken a disturbing turn, and maybe Odd has influenced this. But I truly believe there is much more relevant meaning, about the human experience in the work, not vacuous, but speaking to the fallout and repercussions of Norwegian experience( and universal) of Occupation, in this case by Hitler, rooted in the work. I find myself baffled here as I am about TS Elliot. I think we must look beyond the hand that creates to the work itself.
@@sebastianmelmoth685I strongly disagree with what you write here. Nerdrum, and his devoted students, have opened a fresh view into painting. And the results they provider are amazing.
Ronney I love this video you have made discussing Odd Nedrum.
I found all of the details relating to Rembrandt and Titian's palettes and paint applications as well as compositional techniques completely fascinating. Thank you
Your welcome :)
No, you were right, he us an interesting character! I hope to meet him, he is one of my heroes!
send him a letter!
@@Ronney-Aragundi good idea! I will do that. Merry Christmas from Italy!
A comrad! I have enjoyed Nerdrum's work for 30 + years, after I first discovered "The Water Protectors"
And the controversy it has caused in the art world. I met a museum curator that had the painting " Iron Law" on loan and refused to show it!!!!! Infuriating.
Great story. Thanks for sharing
Nerdrum deserves more conversation examining his design & compositional skills. He showed a range of paint handling as his interests changed from the earliest works forward, but what is a consistent element is a master class in picture design. From large shapes & deep contrast in value to the spotlight he utilizes to lead our eye, its all intentional & consistently effective. Then, wether its his earlier pallet or his minimalist approach in later years, color is always impactful & never gaudy. We can all have an opinion regarding his style or wether he chased Rembrandt too closely. We can ask the question, but nevertheless, his genius remains. He has effectively created drama, a narrative, mystery, & discussion.
Love or hate his work, its never ignored. In a vast ocean of work put forth by millions of artists from all over the world, this achievement should not b taken lightly.
I totally agree with you! To me odd is vastly underrated but he already is a leading figure in the 1990s figurative work.
excuse me but it wasnt rembrandt that had the limited palette but it was apelles and zorn whom nerdrum adopted this palette from
Actually, it was Rembrandt who mentioned Apelles when he was reading some passage from Pliny the Elder. and no Odd's influence comes directly from Italian limited pigments, Apelles was a fresco plaster painter. besides all that Odd used to paint with a much more extended palette and he painted more like Caravaggio (who also paints limited )
Ronney Aragundi doesnt he use specifically the zorn palette though?
yes he does but in his documentary and the videos his son made which you can watch on Vimeo, he never mentions Zorn, Odd is constantly referring to Rembrandt. but yes it is exactly Zorn palette same pigments including vermillion and titanium.
@@Ronney-Aragundi What is the source on which the assumption is based that Rembrandt read a passage of Pliny the elder, and mentions Apelles? I never read that anywhere from a contemporary source.
@@Ronney-Aragundi Forgive the extremely late comment but I’ve been very interested in limited palettes and this was a bit of a rabbit hole I’ve researched extensively. There is a bit of an obsession with the “Apelles Palette” among the followers of Nerdrum. There is actually a TH-cam channel titled The Cave of Apelles hosted by Jan-Ove Tuv (Nerdrum student) and supported in part by Nerdrum. Supposedly, Rembrandt was fascinated by this Apelles palette later in life. I’ve seen an interview of ones of Nerdrum’s protégés and the students that really follow his teachings very strictly seem to have an aversion to calling it the Zorn palette, although that’s the common modern term. They do use the term Zorn palette occasionally, but only in passing to say that it’s really the Apelles palette.
15:00 I appreciate your opinion regarding Nerdrum's style being conservative and centered on the idea of 17th century artists' style to the exclusion of all other painting styles, if I understand you properly, Badbug.
But I'd add his adopting that style and then giving it a significant twist. The symbolism he uses amplifies the ideas and emotions represented. I find them endlessly fascinating, but they are not my lane.
IMO, there's room at the table for Odd. I'll do my own thing but I appreciate Odd's oeuvre as a phenomenon in art that makes it such an incredible discipline.
7:30; Thank you, for
drawing attention to
that Monet, it is pure finesse.
"Like a punch in the face!" 🤜🏻😲
I wish I was good enough a painter to study with him.
I heard he doesn’t receive painter who are already skilled but the ones that are passionate and curious. It it a try and you never know maybe he will take you!
Nice view point of Odd. Most people just take a very aggressive blow on him without considering the amount of work he has put to his craft and His wealth of knowledge. I don't really think he is discrimitory to the new Artist. I feel he has a philosophy of how he sees art and he applies it. This new artist always tend to fall short of his philosophical structure. Aside that I don't think an Artist must consider everything called out to be art or like every style and form of Art.
Had to laugh at critics who call him a fake when they praise to the roof the meaningless shite hanging on most gallery walls these days.
There are a lot of people who have opinions about Odd Nerdrum and about Art. Yet many have not met him nor know his work intimately or have tried to produce even one good painting. They may have by chance encountered his work in a gallery but that is not enough. The same goes for Art. Imagine if non scientific minds who know nothing about science chimed in about it...oh wait that happens. People who don't paint and spout opinions about art are the climate change deniers of painting - they're just opinions and they know very little about what it takes. Many people don't realize how difficult it is to accomplish what Odd has done and the only thing people can do to elevate themselves is cut him down for his statements and philosophies about art. I don't agree with everything he says but he's certainly a breathe of fresh air in a stagnant pool run by yes men. Even philosophers don't always get it right but they're still more accomplished than the average joe-blow web surfer who can criticize from his self made podium. I am reminded of Nietzsche quote and will end there as my comment toward those who seem to only criticize Odd Nerdrum. "Great men's errors are to be venerated as more fruitful than little men's truths."
Ok. But some of us who are very critical of Nerdrum are not non-painters, and have been painting for many decades, and have works in many important collections and museums, and who are very skilled artists with good impressive accomplishments and resume's. And we have also multiple degrees in fine arts, have have worked with many of the best professors and artists, and have studied with some of the top art historians in the country. And so our criticisms should not necessarily be discounted. I find many faults with the paintings by Nerdrum.
@@KpxUrz5745 Fair enough but don't hide in anonymity and make vague remarks. Show us who you are, show us your work, tell us who your very impressive professors are also. Then, list the many "faults" Odd's work has.
@@lupegalvan9993 You will notice that someone posted this video for public comment. I did not post a video and have no desire or compunction to become a public spectacle on social media. And your wild demand for my identity and my resume' is nothing short of laughable and preposterous. You have no right whatsoever to make demands of me. Notice I ask NOTHING of you! If you are not happy with my cogent comments, that's your business. In fact I don't give a hoot about your objections to my comments. And why don't you ask every single person commenting here for their identity and credentials??? Let me guess: you only make such demands when anyone says something negative about Nerdrum. You are very pleased with all those commenters who just love Nerdrum. We the public are all invited to post comments here. Your problem is that you find the need to start filtering our comments based on YOUR personal issues.
@@lupegalvan9993 It doesn't surprise me that, ONCE AGAIN, you entirely miss the points I have already made. Your analogy is completely false and incorrect. I am not like an armchair sports fan yapping about the sport. I already told you that I DO play the game as far as being an active productive artist with a long professional education, background and resume'. You keep insisting that I reveal all on social media to toot my own horn. I do not operate like that. Go ahead, reject comments like mine and go on in your ignorance admiring Nerdrum.
Honestly, you put it in words better than I ever could.
Ronney!!!
@Art Classroom I'm well, how are you?
@@ThatkidSquid super good at the school at work.
@@Ronney-Aragundi that's awesome to hear brother.
@@ThatkidSquid trying to make more stuff videos.
@@Ronney-Aragundi I love it I'm excited to see what you post
Claire de Lune is a beautiful composition but it is too constant and loud and it distracts from what you say.
most of them insist that ivory black is "Blue" to them
Don't play music over the video. It is very distractiing. If your content is good, you don't need the music.
Thank you so much I am sorry about that
@@Ronney-Aragundi i actually loved the Music ❤
His name sounds like "Nerd Oddor" to me
Vastly overrated.
The problem with Nerdrum is that he is not a good painter. People can think what they like about his appearance or personality or statements. I only care about good paintings, and as yet have not seen a good one produced by this man. As his name states, he is mostly just "odd".
Then you probably don't know much about painting....he is a Master without a doubt
@@kristianhelgesen4455 Clearly it is pointless to go back and forth on this. In fact I know a great deal about painting, which is why I am able to make this distinction and not be as easily impressed as most of the public are at these superficial lighting and mood effects. I could write a long treatise on Nerdrum's artistic failures. But just to take one example, his ability at "composition" is exceedingly weak.
@@KpxUrz5745 Please do write the treatise about Nerdrums failures and then publish it. I would be very interested in reading it.
@@georgebyron468 Thank you. I agree that it should be written, even if only to disabuse his audience of their misplaced admiration. All it really takes is a thorough study of art history to realize that these paintings are hardly even worth talking about. Which is one reason I will probably not want to spend time on such an effort.
Could you give an example of an artist or even just a painting/ piece of work that you think is good? Im truly curious. To me nerdrum is one of the best painters of our century