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Aelia Andre in her studio
Introduction

To begin to understand the phenomenon that has taken place in the Chelsea district of New York City this summer at the Agora Gallery several topics need to be explored. The publicity surrounding the solo show of Aelita Andre could hardly be missed. Aelita is a 4 year old painter from Melbourne, Australia. She had her first show at 20 months of age and according to the booklet handed out at the gallery "created her first significant body of work before the age of two." Before the opening of her exhibition every local TV station, news paper, and any other local media was running the story about her.

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Amazing_4-Year-Old_Artist_Opens_Exhibit_in_Chelsea_New_York-123218563.html

This is the link to the story on NBC, but every station ran a very similar story before the opening, likewise every print media ran the same story as if a press packet was handed to everyone. The topics explored are what is a child prodigy, does the work stand up to the famous artists the press is comparing it with, and who is promoting her.
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What is a Child Prodigy?

To define what a prodigy is one must do a lot of research and find after many hours that there is no real definition. Webster defines prodigy as "a highly talented child", Oxford Dictionary defines it as "a person, especially a young one, endowed with exceptional qualities or abilities; an impressive or outstanding example of a particular quality: an amazing or unusual thing, especially one out of the ordinary course of nature": While this defines the word how is it applied to a child, and even more confusing a child who paints abstract art? It has been pointed out that a child who is labeled a prodigy is excelling at a type of work that has been done before (Radford 177). Whether it is art, music, sport, math, or chess these are all things that adults have done for years but when a child does one of these tasks with talent beyond their young age we call them a prodigy. When the term is applied to a child who can play the piano or masters the game of chess, there are clear bench marks to compare them to. Art can be highly subjective and while there are many movements and styles, the variety within can be vast. Just because a child is labeled a prodigy at something it can not be assumed they will continue to be exceptional as they mature (Radford 102). Also, sometimes these children have trouble making the transition from one stage to the next (Radford 177). Renzulli, who was cited by Radford, in 1986, also stated that these children have above average ability and are committed to what they are doing and show their own creativity (Radford). In the context of a child prodigy in art it was suggested that genetics and environment foster the ability of the youngster. In the case of Aelita both of her parents are artists and she was allowed to be free in the art studio. Radford also stated that given the right condition exceptional ability can develop (Radford191).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23hWMvSrZx8

While it looks like Aelita is having fun and creating art, the title child prodigy might not truly be appropriate here. Is the work amazing or unusual thing, especially one out of the ordinary course of nature?

Comparing the art to that of the Masters

Most of the buzz surrounding Aeliat has been generated by the Agora Gallery director, Angela Di Bello. She has compared Aelita to Picasso and Andre Masson. Comparing her to Picasso has to be because he showed promise at a young age, but unlike Picasso Aelita sis not being by drawing or painting realistic paintings. She began with the abstract, some have used the term "abstract expressionism" but this could be a miss label. According to Nicolas Pioch, of the Web museum, Paris abstract expressionism is not really a style but an attitude. He continued to say his type of painting was first shown in a public showing around the mid 1940's; it was called the "New York School" and later became know as abstract expressionism. Adding these artists received inspiration from many different directions and had the belief of freedom of expression. These artists incorporated into their work morally loaded themes (Pioch) along with independence and an impulsiveness that made their work unique. Comparisons have been draw between Aelita and Pollock because of this need to place her work in a category. She has also been given a studio where she is free to throw pant and not worry about if it gets on the walls or the floor. In the youtube video it is hard to miss the similarities to watching films of Pollock at work.

Princess Swan "Tzaritza... Galaxy

Here is a side by side comparison works by Aelita and Pollock the depth and passion of Pollock is hard to miss.

http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/episode/2011/06/08/prodigy-art/

During the radio broadcast of The Current, on the CBC two art critics gave their opinions. Lydia Panart is the first to state that this is child's art, while she states that she respects the artist, is impressed with the scale she would like to wait and see what happens as she grows and learns. Her comments were very well guarded, after all who wants to trash a 4 year old. Elizabeth Smith said the work is interesting but would wait a few years before calling her a prodigy. She also pointed out that while Pollock became an abstract expressionist, he was classically trained and drew on those experiences to create his work. Her work has been described lively and a joyful sense of exploration in a June 6, 2011 article on artdaily.org. They go on to say the work shows and exploration of materials with a child's innocents that is non-judgmental and filled with fantasies. Jen Dott in her village voice blog commented she finds it amusing to hear adults talk extremely intellectually about a kid's composition and movement. In 2009 Robert Nelson, an art critic and associate professor of art & design at Monagh University commented he thought there might be some degree of collaboration between the parents and child (Thomas). While the parents deny this the father does admit that he paints the background color on the canvas. It is clear from the youtube video she is having fun and enjoying what she is doing but her work lack the depth and emotion of a true abstract expressionist. Noah Horowitz of the New York Times had this to say ".So is Aelita's claim to artistic fame legitimate? Certainly not. But as a piece of theater, the circus encircling her isn't half-bad. Or perhaps her parents were onto something when recounting how upset their daughter became on not seeing her work at the Museum of Modern Art during their latest trip to New York. At least we know that she thinks like an artist. And maybe for a 4-year-old, that's not the worst place to start." But who is behind all the hype this summer?
Toys
Promoting a young "prodigy"

http://www.aelitaandreart.com/aelitaandre/Home.html

This is a link the personal web site of Aelita Andre, not a bad website for a 4 year old. This link along with many other press links prompting the arist can be found on the website of the Agora Gallery. The Agora Gallery could be described ad a vanity gallery. A vanity gallery is a gallery that takes money from artist to show their work. The artists pay a fee to show their work in the space either alone, or for a higher fee a "Solo Show". On the galleries website you can find information about the cost of showing and what the gallery will do for you for the fee. It is not easily found but after some digging the amounts can be seen. While the Agora Gallery lists itself as a representational gallery, they will represent you for a fee. By agreeing to show your work there you will split any money received form the sale of your work, 70% for the artist and 30% for the gallery. The gallery will promote your work and according to the website have an opening reception, list your work on the two gallery websites, include magazine listings, display advertisements, press released, postcards, targeted client presentations, personalized PR efforts, museum submissions, online announcements and more. This for only $2,950, a solo show is more. The magazine that is promoted on the website is edited by the director of the gallery, artists are promised listing and profile if you renew for a second year with the gallery. In the case of Aelita the local press went crazy with the press packet; she was on every TV channel right before the opening of the show. The promotion for the artist is in the public media, not many serious art sources carried the news about Aelita's solo show. Her parents have invested in the Gallery by paying for a solo show and splitting the money received from the show and online sales that are linked to the gallery through an online site, art-mine.com. The pieces at the show were listed for a total of about $155,000 and sold out by the end of the first week. So the gallery made about $50,000 from the show and will still make money on anything sold from the website. Not a bad for the gallery. This does not include any fee Aeita's parents paid prior to the show, there was no way for find out who paid to ship the paintings here but the artists usually have to pay to get there work to the gallery. Also while in the gallery, the director was heard telling a collector if they purchased a painting form the website, instead of one of the last panting not sold at the show, it would be very expensive to pay for the shipping from Australia.

the opening page of the Agora Gallery

Conclusion

While the jury is still out on whether Aelita Andre is the next Picasso or Pollock, it is clear she is not a child prodigy. She does show promise as an artist who as she matures and grows will add depth and meaning to her work. Because she has been giving free reign in the studio to explore and experiment she has a foundation to build on. The media circus that surrounded the opening was orchestrated and driven by a business woman wanting to cash in on a young artist. These paintings maybe balanced and have some composition but they are the work of a child and it is clear. Lydia Panart might have said it best "it is the beginning of a journey lets see what happens."