A German art expert was duped into believing a painting done by a chimpanzee was actually painted by a respected artist.
Dr Katja Schneider, director of the State Art Museum in Moritzburg, Saxony-Anhalt, suggested the painting was by Guggenheim Prize winning artist Ernst Wilhelm Nay. Dr Schneider said: “It looks like an Ernst Wilhelm Nay. He was famous for using such blotches of colour.” But in reality, the painting was made by female chimpanzee Banghi, from Halle Zoo.

“When Elephants Weep” a book which described the reactions of art luminaries Willem and Elaine De Kooning on being confronted unknowingly with an elephant drawing. They praised it for its “flair, decisiveness and originality”. When informed of the true identity of the artist, Willem exclaimed: “That’s a damned talented elephant.”

Do I have to go on. Critics can make or break a film, artist, writer or anyone else who in the arts.

“Rhein II”, it’s a 1999 photograph by Andreas Gursky showing the Rhine river. Last night it sold for a whopping $4,338,500 at Christie’s.

Gursky has become quite the Midas of photographers: this is his second photo to claim the title of “world’s most expensive”, with the first being 99 Cent II Diptychon ($3.89M and now the 4th most expensive).

Take a look http://www.petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2011/11/rhine_mini.jpg

Just because critics say its good!!! its all BS

Be your own critic and enjoy what you like and save yourself some money!!

Seriously, not every soul that reviews is a bad personality. Some are a little aggressive in voice; however, I find that others, only a few, think their opinions are more important than anyone others. I love your idea of trying everything myself, but time is an issue and I usually only get a hint of the flavors I desire. Critics and reviewers are needed in the arts. The consumer must decide who speaks for them as an individual and read those write-ups.

I believe that trolls are inevitable in this protected internet world. I realize that somehow they either feel insecure or superior…thus their need to criticize and attack. One good way of handling them IMO is to ignore them and they will lose interest in harassing their victim.

Could not have said it any better, Madeline.

Thanks for reading and for so clearly describing the unbridled but rewarding morass that is the Internet. As an aside, my third choice was a “me and my cats and BDSM” blog. Something along the lines of I Can Haz Safe Word?, maybe.

All of this work on your part (because to be articulate and funny and informative in an interview is work) about your film blog (more unpaid work) is then challenged by a bunch of people who demand your credentials or, at the very least, more personal information about you so they can decide if they like you before they read your reviews.

I’m weary to the bone of this sort of thing, which I see over and over again on every public opinion blog (as opposed to a “me and my cats and my knitting” or “me and my erotica books” blog).

It’s true that the internet is a valuable resource but I’m getting to the point where I want to use my computer to write, send and receive e-mail and conduct research. The opportunity to learn from each other is getting lost in the opportunity to attack someone who is trying to give an articulate opinion on an issue. Possibly, there are hordes of jerks out there lurking on the web, waiting to crucify some poor bastard for daring to have an opinion contrary to theirs.

Thanks for taking the time to put yourself out there Jordan. I’ll try to read your reviews but I’m not going to waste my time reading the comments. That, alas, is also your (unpaid) job.

xo Madeline Moore

But yes, watch more movies.