Robert Storr starts off an editorial in Frieze thusly:
Glib cynicism is an intrinsically conservative stance. So I will not speak here of the radical strains of ‘cynical reason’ theorized by Peter Sloterdijk and shamelessly given form by Mike Kelley, Martin Kippenberger, Raymond Pettibon and other admirable shit stirrers. My concern is with those who seek to constrain restless imaginations and manage the public. And as with all ideological holding actions, sooner or later ‘progressive’ cynics of the lesser type converge with their overtly reactionary counterparts, at least in the stereotypes and straw men they rely on to justify their fixed positions.
Wow. The rolling up of sleeves and man is there going to be a great brawl tonight.
Storr’s whole defense of the Venice Biennale, which he directed in 2007, is terrific.
And this opening would, I think, help me explain why I find Chuck Palahniuk‘s work, “Fight Club,” and the other books, so false and phoney.
