David Woof on thu 12 may 11
Hi Vince=3D2C
=3D20
I would like to hope that anyone in the art world=3D3B (patron=3D2C student=
=3D2C =3D
educator=3D2C academic and critic) knows and hopes that "art" will never be=
d=3D
efined to everyone's satisfaction and that there are many who are silently =
=3D
nodding in keeping time to your "broken record". =3D20
=3D20
I was pointing the "guys" toward this=3D2C and the absurdity you speak of=
=3D2C =3D
and leaving them room to hash out their own discovery of "it" if they are a=
=3D
ble. =3D20
The "guys" that I speak to=3D2C or of=3D2C are those that come lugging thei=
r wo=3D
rd processor=3D2C thesaurus=3D2C and a bedraggled copy of their go everywhe=
re "=3D
Impressive Big Art Words for Insecure Dummies" handbook=3D3B and then get i=
nt=3D
o prolonged discussions which largely serve only to put down=3D2C as I said=
=3D
=3D2C ideas or works they don't "get". They are the ones who in their i=
ns=3D
ecurity would seek to limit the definition and academize Art into their pre=
=3D
ferred formula!!! =3D20
=3D20
It has always been interesting to me=3D2C and also keeps me from wasting wo=
rd=3D
s=3D2C (though it doesn't keep me awake at night) that some 60% of any popu=
la=3D
tion including those with advanced degrees do most of their thinking in the=
=3D
concrete=3D3B and when pushed or cornered=3D2C descend to an age 9-14 leve=
l of=3D
emotional maturity which corresponds to and supports the concrete=3D2C bla=
ck=3D
and white=3D2C either/or way of processing the information coming to them.=
=3D
So I tend to=3D2C for the most part=3D2C just let them squabble in the sand=
box=3D
.
Some defend it as mental exercise as James used the analogy of working out =
=3D
at the gym as working to strengthen the mind.
=3D20
My issue with this is still the same=3D3B that strengthening the mind thru=
a=3D
rgument to fortify and defend the one's own pet and limiting perspective is=
=3D
not supporting and maintaining the open receptiveness and mental agility t=
=3D
hat a truly secure and creative mind celebrates within itself and recognize=
=3D
s as an essential in others as well=3D2C even when what they are offering i=
s =3D
not our personal taste or understanding.
=3D20
I believe strongly that the mind is strengthened best when one silently med=
=3D
itates on creative ways to put ideas and impressions gathered from all our =
=3D
senses into real time acts and manipulation of ideas and materials in a fre=
=3D
e wheeling playful wonderment=3D3B anticipating discovery as the fruition o=
f =3D
our inquiry.
=3D20
I could rant on=3D3B but you know what I would say=3D3B as you too have hea=
rd i=3D
t before. I hope replaying "the broken record" has inspired some open min=
=3D
ded curiosity. And just perhaps some of the "guys" will not take offense=
=3D
=3D3B and be inspired to say "humnm=3D3B I wonder what is hiding under tha=
t ro=3D
ck=3D2C or making the leaves quiver in that bush?" Then be willing to thi=
nk=3D
the "unthinkable" ask the unrepeatable or taboo questions and wait expecta=
=3D
ntly=3D2C with mouth shut=3D2C for a reply=3D3B found in receptive quietud=
e.
=3D20
Perrhaps if one really let go of taking one's self to seriously=3D2C then d=
an=3D
cing around a pile of salt could make one feel=3D2C think=3D2C or do someth=
ing =3D
unusual=3D2C new=3D2C or fearlessly shameless!!!
=3D20
David
=3D20
David Woof...peering (not peeing) over the edge=3D2C taking an irreverent l=
oo=3D
k at everything in sight and seeking out the magical that is hidden in the =
=3D
grand and the dismal=3D2C the impoverished and wealthy=3D2C the proud and t=
he h=3D
umble=3D2C the ignorant=3D2C stupid and wise=3D2C the academic and the folk=
=3D2C th=3D
e truly intellectual and the fool=3D2C the glorious crown and the mysteries=
a=3D
bove and under foot...
_____________________________________________________________________=3D20
=3D20
2a. Re: bricks
Posted by: "Vince Pitelka" vpitelka@DTCCOM.NET=3D20
Date: Tue May 3=3D2C 2011 5:58 am ((PDT))
David Woof:
"Guys=3D2C first you must be able to define and agree on what art is before=
y=3D
ou
venture into the discussion of whether a pile of bricks is art. Does
putting others or other ideas down elevate anyone's "stuff" any higher
except possibly in the insecure mind of the maker. Could one simply take
open minded vicarious pleasure in the visions and pleasures of others? Who
knows what other ideas and creative visions a pile of bricks could inspire
in an open and attentive mind."
Hi David -
This is a topic where I do not mind sounding like a broken record. Agreeing
on "what art is" is of course pointless=3D2C because the minute you define =
it=3D
=3D2C
you limit what it can be. Those inclined towards the absurd always like to
chime in with "Well=3D2C if you can't define what art is=3D2C then apparent=
ly a=3D
rt is
everything." Well=3D2C that is pure idiocy. If someone says that a particul=
ar
thing is art=3D2C it might be=3D2C and all we can do is=3D2C as you say=3D2=
C "take =3D
an
open-minded vicarious pleasure in the visions and pleasures of others." We
have every right to decide whether we think that art is good or bad=3D2C bu=
t
rudely putting down the work of other artists is certainly the sign of an
insecure mind. Unfortunately=3D2C in the art world=3D2C insecurity is epide=
mic.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Tech University
vpitelka@dtccom.net=3D3B wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka
=3D20
=3D20
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