Date: August 18   Time: 20:00 - 22:00

Skeptics in the Castle is a free monthly event brought to you by the Cork Skeptics

In this talk, graphic artist and skeptic Reg Murphy takes us on a journey into the bizarre world of modern art. Reg will be talking about Modern Art’s essentialrelationship with Money, Prestige and Entertainment.

Modern Art, for better or worse is a big worldwide industry which employs tens of thousands, entertains millions, generates billions, sometimes causing mass trauma and outrage. Decisions concerning it often go to the highest levels of Government and it often used as branch of diplomacy.”

Reg hopes to give a fun and irreverent overview; – providing a highly condensed history from French Impressionism to the current day, revealing…..

The Artists: – where do you start?

The Collectors: – visionaries, fools or prudent investors?

The Dealers: – smarmy charlatans or the hand maidens of Culture?

The Critics: -Vindictive failed artists or heroic cheerleaders?

The Media: – Vulgarians or honesty reflecting public bafflement?

The Curators: – Elitist snobs or a sincere desire to stimulate the public?

The State Galleries: – A waste of public money or vastly important tourist draws?

Government: – Arts spending; the role of Cultural heritage and national prestige?

Most importantly, and perhaps not widely appreciated: How visual art became a mass spectacle (a very, very modern phenomenon).

All these elements will build up a picture of the current contemporary art scene and will show that despite stupidity, hubris and greed, the public are the winners.

A little bit about Reg….

Reg Murphy has a degree in Fine Art from Limerick School of Art and is a member of Cork Skeptics. He is an avid art enthusiast.

This is a free event, open to all