It's a symptom of class stratification. As the working class has less and less time to devote to leisure, there is a correlative decline in their time to produce art. This allows only for those of a limited class (the wealthy) to have time to produce art (also? literature, music, more).
Since most of the wealthy are of similar backgrounds (cultural and educational) there has become a self-congratulatory class of artists who dominate the art world. Relatedly, as the art world has become more tied to the transactional world of business, there is now an even higher ceiling to break into art. So basically we have a bunch of Yalies and other Ivy-educated folks in a circle-jerk, congratulating the perpetuation of their mediocrity.
- A early morning rant posted by me here (of all places). Some will say it is sort of 'angry', but there isn't really an emotional response tied to it. My stage moved from anger to acceptance long ago.
