Bill Aycock on thu 10 jun 99
At 03:17 PM 06/09/1999 EDT, Tamara wrote: (in part)
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>AMEN!!!
>
>I recently got my BFA in Ceramics and the entire time I was battling with the
>"Artspeak," art lingo, deep psychological meaning thing. I was told that it
>was important to be able to speak about my work. But there in lies the rub.
>I wasn't saying what they wanted to hear.
At one point in my checkered career, I was a technical editor. This was
before I became enamoured of Clay, but the lessons learned have STUCK. The
problem with "Artspeak" is the same as with "technobabble".
One "happening" ( yes, it really DID happen) made a lasting impression on
me. My Technical staff and I were submitting ourselves to a presentation by
a rep from a very good technical plastics firm. One of the objects shown as
an example was a pressure vessel, intended for deep submergence in the
ocean. It was very strong, and very light. One of its features was a ring
by which it was attached to its anchor. The following exchange took place:
Me- "What did they use to glue this ring on?"
Sales rep (indignantly)- "It's NOT glued on, it's permanently bonded with a
structural adhesive ! "
I am reminded of this most times I see/hear a statement about Art/Craft
that is supposed to have deep meaning. This includes most, but not all,
"Artists statements". The unfortunate thing, that Tamara was subjected to,
is that many of us are expected to participate in it, in order to "fit".
BS, when stepped in, smells worse than when not stepped in.
Bill
Restore Mt. Rushmore !
(Think about it)
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