Tracey Emin Installs Neon Sign in Downing Street‎

Oh dear. It seems the UK Prime Minister David Cameron requested a Tracey Emin work to be installed at 10 Downing Street.  The piece, entitled More Passion has now, apparently, been put in to place so it can be adored by passing Ministers and civil servants.

The startlingly unoriginal piece (seen left) was chosen by the artist so that visiting heads of state could see something a little cutting edge from the British art world.  More Passion is valued at around the US$500K mark so could perhaps be described as mainstream art, rather than something at the so called cutting edge. Mind you, that's not a bad price for a two word neon sign.

Emin is a well known supporter of the Conservative Party. She told the BBC in May: "Remember, Tory people are massive collectors of the arts. For a lot of my friends, who think I'm crazy voting for the Tories - I want to know who buys their work? Who are the biggest philanthropists? I promise you, it's not Labour voters."

Strange how you can go off people. Well, Tracey - they are customers and although the customer may always be right, you don't have to vote for them.  Besides, which party is known for cutting arts funding for everyday people even if its members do buy the work of overrated handicrafters?  A little selfish, Tracey. Your lights may be on in Downing Street but shamefully not between your ears. Oh and last time I looked the definition of the word philanthropist was a person who seeks to promote the welfare of others, especially by the generous donation of money to good causes. Unless you count youself as the good cause we must be living on different planets.

Sigh. It could have been worse.  She might have chosen her unfinished bed piece from around a decade ago with which to decorate the corridor of No 10.

Thanks to regular Kuriositas contributor Ssoosay for his take on the whole affair.