mel jacobson on mon 28 apr 97
I have been following the artspeak discussion with a great deal of interest.
Having started some of it with my play (not) post I have given this idea a
good deal of thought. My intention from the play quote was to stimulate
thought and action about artists using the word play as if what we do as
artists is just fun and games......it is with great irritation that I listen
to that kind of description to the general population.. they seem to have
that bias already and I do not like to give them additional incentive to
think of us as children.
Several years ago I completed a 90 credit graduate program in painting. I
had no intention of going to school to learn to paint. What I wanted and
received from that intensive training was the ability to talk and write
about my work with a new vocabulary. Many things have changed since I was
in graduate school in the 50's, and the language of art is one of the most
dramatic.
I believe that as artists and craftspeople we owe it to ourselves and
clients to be able to converse in an intelligent manner about our work and
the work of others. We should be able to critique our own work and the work
of others in a meaningful and fair way. In my opinion that ability comes
from reading, writing, study, and of course vital discussion with other
artists. (Nceca needs more places for potters to get together and just
talk, and clayart can help that idea along.)
One of the most important parts of my Hay Creek Adult Shared Learning
Center is the opportunity for professional adults to gather and have the
time to talk about what they are doing and sharing it with others. We
insist that people coming to camp leave more there than they take away. (
by the way we have no openings in our camp and my talking of it is in hopes
that others will start places like it.)
Without question, I believe that artists must continue the search for
dialogue within the arts. We must be able and willing to communicate ideas,
thoughts and technique without fear of criticism. We must be accountable
for our work, and then be able to defend it, and that means speaking and
even writing about it.
Artists must speak for themselves. We cannot allow journalists, gallery
owners, museum curators or censors to tell us what we are doing or what we
should not be doing. That job is in the hands and minds of the producers
of art and craft. As it should be.
Mel Jacobson/minnesota
Elca Branman on tue 29 apr 97
Could we learn more about the Hay Creek Center? What is it ?
Elca Branman
Branman Potters ,Stone Ridge, N.Y.
in the Hudson Valley
elcab1@juno.com
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