"darling"

Like Zoe, I was also especially intrigued by Rafferty’s term, “the darling of the art world” because I wondered what that exactly meant. Who is the art world’s darling? 

"Darling" typically brings to mind a meaning that describes the word as affection toward a beloved person; ideas of “pretty” and “charming"… or “dainty" and “orderly" in a sense…

By these regards, the art world darling would be imagined as someone who is making things that are appealing and agreeing with whatever the art world fads are. So the art world fads is what affects what “darling” actually means; the art world fads seem to revolve around whatever is unusual and different and contrary. Right? Something like that? So then, the term “darling” is contrary in describing the art world vs. what it would typically refer to. Someone who is actually shocking the art world, the artist who is making your jaw drop because of what they’re making; s/he is the art darling.

So art darlings are those who are doing and making things that make you FEEL, in a way that’s different from the “meh” artwork out there...

The art world darlings are those who are not exactly “darling” in the pleasant flowery sense of the word. (???)

So how can you become an art world darling? My idea is, do something that makes you and everyone else extremely uncomfortable, or something completely genius. But constantly keep making. In some way shape or form. Thats hard!!

 - bella