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a change to art vs craft

updated mon 30 sep 96

 

Carla Flati on tue 17 sep 96

Since this discussion seemed to lose tract of apprenticeships, I thought I'd
change the subject line now.

My post: >>>They would have to ask >themselves, "How do I want to support
myself while waiting to become a famous >artist?"<<<

Dan Wilson wrote:

>>This is not a question a real artist would ever ask.<<

Ok Dan, how about, "How am I going to pay my bills while I'm waiting for my art
to sell." Same meaning, different words. Are your questioning the exact
sentence or the meaning? No matter how idealistic a graduate may be, unless he
or she was born with a silver spoon in their mouth, they will have to face the
realities of life. I'm sure they don't plan to go onto public assistance and
make their art at the same time. Are you a "real artist"?

>>Its not art unless its the honest, unique, personal expression of an artist.
Everything else is just pottery. Done by potters. This statement also belongs in
the Art vs. Craft thread.<<

Exactly who is qualified to say whether or not a piece of work is the honest,
unique, personal expression of an artist? Who is qualified to say whether or
not the creator of the work is an artist? WE are the only ones qualified to say
if our work is an honest expression of ourselves. Not you nor any critic is
cabable of determining that. The only thing anyone else can do is like it and
buy it, or walk away from it. They can give their opinion of the work, but our
souls are off limits. If it weren't for the fact that I've seen your posts here
many times, I'd swear YOU were one of those art snobs.

I buy a piece of art based on a 2 second experience. My eyes sees it and my
brain loves it. Whatever was in the creator's mind doesn't come into the picture
until much later because I know I'll be creating my own story. You develop your
own relationship between yourself and the piece of work just as the artist did
when he created it. Unless I've actually met the artist who personally told me,
I'd never presume to know what he or she was thinking about. Many art snobs
have ruined careers without even talking to the artists they trash because of
the presumptions they feel so qualified to make. What's worse is that we as a
society have set them up to do it.

I have no answers to the problems we all have as artisans....be it paint or clay
or whatever. All I know is that the present system of letting a few determine
the tastes of many works for a few and puts the screws to many. What bothers
me is seeing that art snob attitude come from one of our own.

Hope you're done with your latte, Dan. I can't wait to hear more.

Carla

Dannon Rhudy on wed 18 sep 96

>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Since this discussion seemed to lose tract of apprenticeships, I thought I'd
>change the subject line now.
>
"How do I want to support myself while waiting to become a famous >artist?"<
>
>Dan Wilson wrote:
>
>>>This is not a question a real artist would ever ask.<<
>
"How am I going to pay my bills while I'm waiting for my art
>to sell." Same meaning, different words.
>
>Carla
>
"How do I want to support myself while waiting to become a famous artist"

and "How am I going to pay my bills while I'm waiting for my art to sell"

have very different meanings, both by connotation and implication.

Dannon

Don Jones on wed 18 sep 96


>Ok Dan, how about, "How am I going to pay my bills while I'm waiting for my art
>to sell." Same meaning, different words. Are your questioning the exact
>sentence or the meaning? No matter how idealistic a graduate may be, unless he
>or she was born with a silver spoon in their mouth, they will have to face the
>realities of life. I'm sure they don't plan to go onto public assistance and
>make their art at the same time. Are you a "real artist"?
>
>
>I have no answers to the problems we all have as artisans....be it paint
>or clay
>or whatever. All I know is that the present system of letting a few determine
>the tastes of many works for a few and puts the screws to many. What bothers
>me is seeing that art snob attitude come from one of our own.
>
>Hope you're done with your latte, Dan. I can't wait to hear more.
>
>Carla

Carla,
I have found that you can get into trouble making things to sell which
isn't your idea of fine art or that which you would like to be famous for.
The manufacturing takes over and you lose respect for what you are making.
I sometimes wonder if it isn't best just to get a job job and work only on
artistic pieces in your off hours. That way there is always satisfaction
in one's work and an income too. Painters experience this problem more
frequently than do clay artists.
Don Jones
claysky@indirect.com

Don Sanami on wed 18 sep 96

For over 60 years I have been listening to the same nonsense of "Art /
Craft". These arguments have nothing to do with workers in the field.We
need have no concern with the ridiculous arguments of half-baked critics.
Our task,(whatever we may call ourselves) is simply to do the work.Improve
our technique..and let history make whatever judgement it wishes. "FGamous
Artist?" If the primary urge is to become famous...or rich..then one
begins with two strikes. Why not become a mass-murderer? The fame of Nero
has outlasted that of all alleged artists.
Become what you are. Furthur your abilities. Reject rejection and
ignore the fleeting public demand. "All art is based on non-conformity".
Ben Shahn,Atlantic Monthly Sept.,1957.