That's definitely true of contemporary (or popular) 'art'.
I tell my kids all the time that their generation has been robbed of the fruits of real artists, and that in thirty years time, few will glorify or remember much of anything from their era.
Oddly enough, they agree with me.
As I back through the Millenia, at every culture, From ancient to modern, from primitive cave dwellers to sparkling civilization, from East to West, and from all races of people, I see one common thread. There is a constant search for beauty and artistic expression (often religious) that characterizes each society. From The hand-prints and animal figures of Aborigines, A Chinese Calligraphy painting, a Greek Adonis, Queen Neferteri’s Head, to the Sistine Chapel, The Quest for Beauty in the Service of the Almighty is evident in every culture. Each Culture expresses itself in a Unique Way, and is instantly recognizable, not only by Ethnic Origin, but by Era, Region, and sometimes even the original artist! Russian icons, painted to a Strict Canon of RULES, can still be identified by Artist, if one is schooled in that. The same can be said of Japanese Scroll Paintings, and even Greek Sculptures from Ancient Times.
During the recent Papal Conclave, there was a lot of space in the press spent marveling over Michelangelo’s magnificent works, which were done in the space of two years WITHOUT computers, Airbrushes, Photography, or other tools of the trade. Other frescoes by lesser-known artists were also admired, as they were definitely great works of art, though not on a par with the ceiling or “The Last Judgement”.
I just finished re-reading “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelly, written by a teenage girl in the first half of the 19th Century, back when “Moby Dick”, “War and Peace”, and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” were written. I doubt if “Harry Potter” or “Twilight” will survive the decade, much less the Centuries. Remember this when you watch “Shakespeare in the Park”. The play you are watching is FIVE HUNDRED YEARS OLD.
So...Just what IS going on? We have the most AMAZING tools at our disposal to create the Greatest Art ever produced in the History of Mankind. Instead, Our entertainments are shallow and vulgar, our music is without melody, our paintings are childish, our brilliantly conceived republican government has become oppressive fascism, Our leaders are buffoons, and our art is trash.
I am sure every era had its “junk”, but now, “Junk” is the epitome of our culture.
Sad.