Robert Storr Analyzes Ross Bleckner as a Contemporary Dandy in Artpress

In a December 1988 article for Artpress, critic Robert Storr examines the work of American painter Ross Bleckner, framing him as a modern dandy who navigates societal contradictions through his artistic style. Storr posits that each era produces its own form of decadence and a corresponding dandy figure, with Bleckner embodying this role by inventing a visual language that both highlights and makes bearable the inherent tensions of his time. The analysis suggests Bleckner acts as a shaman of melancholy, mediating between the public and his own creative authority. The piece does not specify a particular exhibition or event but focuses on Storr's critical interpretation of Bleckner's practice, emphasizing the artist's ability to synthesize complex opposites into a coherent aesthetic. Published in the late 1980s, this commentary situates Bleckner within a historical lineage of dandyism, reflecting on how artists respond to cultural decay. The article underscores Bleckner's significance in contemporary art discourse through Storr's perspective, without detailing specific artworks or locations.