the Informer

Jonathan Parker’s 2009 film “Untitled” explores the complexities of the art world. It is a modern day, comedy-filled drama which takes viewers inside the world of unique creations and our ability to accept and appreciate them.

Adrian (Adam Goldberg) is a contemporary music artist who practices self-expression through the integration of sounds. His brother, Josh (Eion Bailey), is a successful commercial artist. The first scene, which features these characters, reveals their natural rivalry.

Adrian is ironically positioned as the inferior brother, following his passion to create a unique type of music while his conformist and uncreative brother reaps the benefits of commercial sales.

Madeline (Marley Shelton) becomes fond of Adrian and his talent after attending one of his bucket kicking, chain dropping and paper tearing performances.

Adrian appears to have the raw talent and originality, which Josh lacks despite his attempts to win Madeline’s heart and be featured in her New York gallery.
Madeline’s appreciation for Adrian becomes apparent after he is invited not only to play at her gallery, but is also invited to her apartment.

The story escalates as the love triangle continues to grow. Madeline continues her somewhat secretive involvement with Adrian, while Josh continues his quest to win her heart and her gallery.

Madeline is committed to showing works which are strictly not for sale. She funds exhibitions featuring dead animals and household objects like those of Ray Barko (Vinnie Jones) although Josh’s commercial paintings sustain the economic well being of her gallery.

The film explores issues surrounding non commercial artistic expression and its ability to flourish and gain appreciation. Madeline‘s gallery features exhibits displaying objects like push pins and rubber, leading us to question the boundaries of art.

The movie escalates when Adrian begins to deny the creativity of the artists featured in Madeline’s gallery while his audiences continue to question his motivation to produce noise.

Adrian’s explanation for his music is that “harmony is a capitalistic plot to sell pianos.” He questions the validity of mass marketing as a proper indicator of a work’s true value.

The classic question “what is art?” comes back to us again and again. If art is a subjective perception of reality and expression we have no right to declare that something is not art.

How can one judge the work of another, or declare what is or isn’t art? For some it may be circles on a colorful canvas, and reinvention may just mean changing the shape. For others, this is commercial creation at its best.
This film does an excellent job at portraying the subjective reality of art and the battle each viewer faces when evaluating another’s work.

Full of ironic twists, it is evident the film uses characters like Porter Canby (Zak Orth) to portray our inner desire to appreciate the abstract, interesting and art savvy. Each character’s personal set of motivations force the film into an uneasy conclusion.

Aside from her noisy outfits, high heels and faux glasses, Madeline did make some excellent points. Van Gogh, Cubism, and the like were all rejected at some point.

Now is the time to accept new expression and talent so we do not miss what may someday become exceptional art.