We should expect contemporary art to push boundaries. In doing so, it may be controversial as was the winning entry at this year's Trust Waikato Contemporary Art Award. No doubt the judge's choice contributed to a 53% increase in visitor numbers at the museum compared to the previous September. Dane Mitchell's Collateral, a pile of discarded packaging, is conceptual art where it is the idea that is important. It has also been described as "pretentious, self-indulgent, craftless tat". More critically, this particular idea has been done before.
As judgement rather than rules prevail in art, you may wish to decide for yourself.
