ferenc jakab on mon 18 sep 00
>
> Ferenc -
> I don't want to come across as a grump, but I'll risk it. This is
> ridiculous and you know it, expecially if you understand what the formal
> language of art is.
Vince,
I must admit I was baiting you. You do tend to react viscerally some times.
I apologise.
Your comments and opinions are always worth reading.
I am a little cynical of the more emphatic, florid, High Culture views about
art that abound amongst the "hangers on" of the art world (Galleries,
critics and art historians). Who really do try to drum up an elitist view of
"Art". Yes there is a "formal" language of art, i.e. pertaining to form, but
to too many this translates as Formal as in a structured system of
understanding available only to the cognoscenti.
My favourite pieces of art are the clay animal figurines found at Lascaux.
It's not because we can't do as well or better but because these were made
in innocence of "Big A" Art.
As a former student of anthropology I am aware of cultural influences in art
and that, more importantly, many cultures, such as the Asmat in West Papua,
do not have a word for art despite producing absolutely astounding carvings.
Their art is purely utilitarian.
It is a great shame that we in the twentieth century have lost that
connection and tend therefore to obfuscate our art with "Formal" language.
In Hungarian our words for art, roughly translated, mean "exceptional
achievement" and can just as well refer to the achievements of a gifted
motor mechanic as to the works of an artist. Never the less we react to art
with very much the same feelings as any one else in the (European) world.
Feri
Gavin Stairs on mon 18 sep 00
At 08:02 AM 9/18/00, Ferenc wrote:
>...
>As a former student of anthropology I am aware of cultural influences in art
>and that, more importantly, many cultures, such as the Asmat in West Papua,
>do not have a word for art despite producing absolutely astounding carvings.
>Their art is purely utilitarian.
>
>It is a great shame that we in the twentieth century have lost that
>connection and tend therefore to obfuscate our art with "Formal" language.
>
>In Hungarian our words for art, roughly translated, mean "exceptional
>achievement" and can just as well refer to the achievements of a gifted
>motor mechanic as to the works of an artist. Never the less we react to art
>with very much the same feelings as any one else in the (European) world.
Ferenc,
The word "art" originally meant, and still does as a subsidiary meaning,
skill or technique. It was cognate with applied science. Now, while we
may still talk of the art of fly tying, we usually reserve it for the high
art connotation, which is certainly a modern turn.
So, to revert in usage, the art of pottery is just the skill and capability
of making pots. Very down to earth, very utilitarian. All the rest of
this stuff is high baroque, if I may be permitted another little word twist.
Gavin
vince pitelka on mon 18 sep 00
> My favourite pieces of art are the clay animal figurines found at Lascaux.
> It's not because we can't do as well or better but because these were made
> in innocence of "Big A" Art.
Ferenc -
Thanks for your comments, and you certainly do not owe me any appology. You
are absolutely right. Such is the case with so much "outsider" and "naive"
art, terms which traditionally refer to artwork done without Formal (with a
capital F) art training in the art academy. The terms "naive" and
"outsider" are a perfect example of the arrogant classism often found in the
big-city fine art world and in the traditional art academy. Things are
changing, and these categories are receiving much more mainstream attention,
to the point where art students are immitating naive and outsider art. I
suppose that is a positive direction (although it does confuse things) but
only if the work is done out of true passion and conviction, and not because
it is fashionable and saleable. I often wonder which it is that most art
schools are teaching.
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Home - vpitelka@dekalb.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
Diane G. Echlin on mon 18 sep 00
ferenc jakab wrote:
> In Hungarian our words for art, roughly translated, mean "exceptional
> achievement" and can just as well refer to the achievements of a gifted
> motor mechanic as to the works of an artist.
I have to agree with this! The guy who is restoring my antique VW is truly an
artist!
:))
Diane in CT
| |
|
