What is Postmodernism? A great question that deserves its own topic!

I would try to summarize this "The death of painting" in a "Russian" way, by telling a story that may or may not directly relate to the discussion.

Douglas brought up the point I can certainly relate to - "trading one thing to another". I grew up in Moscow (Russia) and at that time the division between the artists was "forcibly" definite: Official Art (social realism - with moderate forms of some other figurative "isms") and "Non-Conformism" (a precise mirror reflection of the prior including the total censorship, which N-C would hypocritically deny but cultivate within themselves) Since the latter was "religiously" procecuted by the state there were no open/commercial competition between the two. This factor caused the theory itself to be the judge of "worthiness" and an ultimate ruler. The transition between the emerging and established artist was almost instant - all you had to do is to choose sides and be accepted by the camp chosen.
This situation helped me to see both sides "operating at the same time" undiluted by commercial "hoopla". In fact being "commercial" - openly admit that you are interested to be paid for your paintings - was "marked out" as an alleged desire to be independent from the collective and was treated as fatal rulebreaking by both camps.

summary:

The painting is as dead as you want it to be and as alive as you want it to be"

When one lays in bed and having these thoughts, most of the time, could be summarized to a simple "what is the reason to wake up tomorrow?"

I believe that it is the artist's duty and function to find and paint(illustrate) this reasons in the permanent(touchable) form. The paradox is that most of the time finding one equals creating one (hence such a close border between art and decoration). This is why it is so easy to slip into kitch or propaganda - instead of finding or creating, the easy road of substituting is taken.

The death of painting will constitute more than just the victory of the "collective" it will constitute the death of culture itself (no one left to paint or be the audience).

Contemporary (modern, whatever) art lucks permanence and it would be incorrect to use it as a reference or criteria while speaking of the most natural and oldest forms of expression - painting and sculpture (i am sure sculptors have similar debate). we can speculate about the death of modernism or classicism, periods and styles they naturally come and go. Painting is a form of art and should be viewed in appropriate perspective.

Physically we can dialog with only so many people in your life and naturally the "more you can cover" the higher position you get and often the latter becomes the priority (I am speaking in general), most of the time it takes away the value of the original which leads to the loss of permanency.
I like abvg's thought about "transformation into PoP" art and with some "stretched logic" i can say that will and already begun the transformation into New age culture which naturally, as any other culture before, will be depicting itself through permanent forms of art. In a way we have/had/will have only one culture - the human culture that replicates itself over and over again always following the same steps. (like they say - history does not repeat itself, it replicates)

The process of depiction has already begun - this website had only 2000 visitors in 1996 and over 200,000 page views in just one month of dec. 2001 (and we had better search engine placement in 1996)

It has been noticed that the "sudden" interest to the figurative/realistic painting is taking place now. (Douglas, you also have mentioned that to me)
It is not sudden or temporary - the New Age Culture is defining itself as we speak and is ready to begin depicting itself. It needs painters to take charge and responsibility.

So put away your pity and pick up the brushes - we are up to some exciting times ahead!

Painting is as alive as we want it to be!

PS. I am typing it for the second time - my comp crushed as i was clicking post. So if you will find some "lapses" in the post let me know.

PS2.
It would be good to start/continue the "What it Postmodern Art?" discussion. Abvg, you have knack on pinning down topics. Will you start it up? We should do it in the "debate" forum Modern Art - Classic Art - New Art (admin might move it there anyway). here is the link to the forum
http://www.truefresco.com/cgidir/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=list&forum=DCForumID8&conf=DCConfID2

unless everyone badly wants to stay at the Bar Stool?

ilia