You are not alone in your musings. I am an avid fan of works from the Baroque and Renaissance periods. Every time I brave the Modern wing of a museum, it feels to be hit or miss. Some works are truly fascinating and innovative. Others, like the ones you describe above, cause me to question the judgement of curator. If we still operated where income from art only came from patrons, I wouldn't be surprised to see this type of "art" disappear as the "artist" pursues alternative employment.

Cheers!