‘Looks like a city of weaver bird nests…’
‘I’ll call this The Giantesses’ Pantyhoses…’
The art critiques milled about, muttering and wondering what Herman Baxter had come up with this time. His last few pieces had been summarily rejected by the contemporary art community.
Herman took the stage. ‘Friends, welcome. This is my masterpiece.’ The critiques sighed. ‘Well, it’s not yet complete. We are going to finish it together.’
On signal, the doors to the hall closed. The exhibit suddenly went up in flames. As everyone and everything inside burned, a drone flying above clicked a picture.
Herman had his masterpiece, at last.
Written for the weekly Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff – Fields. This week’s picture prompt has been kindly provided by Roger Bultot. To read other entries to this prompt and to participate, please click here.
L.E.R.T 
I think Herman just plain lost his mind with the last critique of his work. Horrible consequences. Good writing, Varad. —- Suzanne
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I don’t like Herman at all. Some day he will get his comeuppance.
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Oh well, he’ll burn in hell as well. (given that he burned along with his critiques) Thanks for the comment, Dan.
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Good writing. Horrible, but good 🙂
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Thanks, Linda. 🙂
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These conceptual artists really need to be looked out for. A disturbing twist at the end of this one! Well done.
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Thanks for the comment, Sarah Ann
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A catabolic take.
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Cheers, YS.
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The living (or once was) exhibition.
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Unfortunately for them, yes.
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I wonder what the critics said about that masterpiece – assuming they weren’t all there at the time! Nice one Varad.
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Cheers, Keith
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I think there is another name for the work of art…
May I suggest a simple one: Critics burn
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Everyone burned.
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Dear Varad,
I’m sure he’ll have fond memories of this as he languishes on Death Row. That is if the SWAT team doesn’t take him out first. Sick artist, good story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The SWAT team need not bother, Rochelle. He is crisper than a can of pringles along his critiques. Cheers, Varad
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Now there’s a man who can’t handle rejection. Good one.
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Indeed he is or rather was. Thanks for the comment, Sandra.
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Good story. I have read about art installations where the artist self-harms as part of the work. This is taking it one step further. At least the critics are not going to affect him in the future but nor is anything else.
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The artist, the art and the critique came literally together to make the masterpiece. Morbid, yeah. Thanks for the comment, Irene.
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That’s what we call setting the stage on fire. Brilliant take!
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Quite literally! Thanks for the comment, Anurag.
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That’s what’s called a flame out.
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Indeed it was.
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One hopes that Herman perished also.
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Pretty sure he’s crisper than toast. Thanks for the comment, Michael.
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And the world burned. Quite an ending and a sacrifice for his art.
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So did all the critiques. Thanks for the comment, Iain.
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Well, I didn’t expect that – although I find it believable (just about!)
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The extremely creative can be a bit not there. Thanks for the comment, Penny.
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Sick Bas***d!
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Dem Artists be crazy!
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That’s gory…but yes art can at times be destructive…nice story as always..
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Sadly, true. The extremely creative cannot handle rejection or failure easily. Thanks for the comment, Balaka
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