Toying With Imagination

From the Akron Beacon Journal:

“Art and fashion share many things, but first and foremost, the two modes of expression share fads — momentary enthusiasms for particular artists, styles or gimmicks because so-and-so in New York (Los Angeles, London, Paris, Barcelona) says they’re cool.

A few months down the road, the fad has passed, and if you (gasp!) mention it to the artist or curator who told you about it in the first place, he or she will look at you like you just stepped in something nasty.

The current small show at the Akron Art Museum, Toying With Imagination: A Plastic Camera Exhibition, has all the hallmarks of such a fad — enthusiasm for small, cheap plastic cameras that seems to be based on little else but novelty, plus impatience and defensiveness with questioners on the part of those who must justify their passion.”