The IKEA Effect (2)

Modern art perplexes the public,
to the point where its practitioners
come to believe that their vocation
is to confuse the minds of the public
rather than make art of substance.
This is fine in installations,
where the space controls
how the public respond.
The control stops them thinking to ask
what the artist did to get that gig.
But the shortfall in craft
shows up clearest with modern painting.
When punters wander past huge canvases
of abstract expressionism in public galleries
they are vaguely impressed by the size
whilst confused/bemused by the content.
Many secretly think 'I could do that if I wanted'.
And if they had done it then they might do it better,
but only if could they make as good a name
and got themselves the agent, and claimed the space.
Their pride is like the IKEA effect-the glow
that people get when assembling flat pack furniture
in their own home, a glow which they deny others
when they see that they have done similar in their homes.