The key word is "self-indulgent." Modern art is about the artist. He doesn't care if he communicates anything to the observer. He expects the observer to see the world as he sees it. He wants the observer to admire his vision and his cleverness. The last thing in the world he is thinking about is the whether or not his creation actually means something to the observer. If artists were great thinkers or inventors, there might still be something in these narcissistic productions that we could somehow find interesting. But more often than not, artists are nothing but glorified craftsmen. When no attempt is made to produce clever, attractive works that the viewer can relate to, the inevitable results from these mediocre minds will be, as you said, boring, predictable and pedestrian.
Agree.
The highest praise these idiots give each other is that a piece is “transgressive.”
This means it shocks normal people.
Most people grow out of thinking that doing things strictly for shock value is clever in about the 7th grade. These “artists” appear to be stuck mentally and psychologically in junior high.
Same is true, BTW, of many “writers,” “poets,” etc.
I am smiling at your screen name coupled with a very nice summary of what is wrong with Modern Art. Your point about the self indulgent modern artist is very well taken.