vince pitelka on wed 18 sep 02
Jeff -
I do appreciate your response. I would agree that some of the language used
in exhibition brochures and artist's statements gets a little long-winded
and convoluted, but "artspeak" is a very specific thing, and when at its
worst it is indeed offensive. But just to put in one more word on the
subject of grad school, in my experience, a good graduate school experience
has nothing at all to do with artspeak.
> I am a white man. I now live in a mostly black neighborhood. I guess I'm
just
> a little sensitive when people make those "We're not like them" kind of
> comments. We ARE like them just as THEY are like us (figuratively
speaking).
Well, I don't blame you, and I agree. But in regards to the self-righteous
declarations of a few arrogant art world snobs, we need not worry about what
they have to say. If their rantings are couched in artspeak, then it is
pure claptrap, nothing more, and we need not waste any time on it at all.
> I too want crafts, and crafters, to be given the same amount of respect
that
> art, and artists, are given. I don't think, however, we win over any
friends
> in the art community when we crafters niavely suggest that the art
community
> is guided by "artspeak". Just as there is "artspeak" in the art community
I
> think there is way to much "craftspeak" in the craft community.
I guess I just don't see it. I have very little problem with 95% of the
language used in the fine art/fine craft worlds. The fraction that is
artspeak is pretty minimal, and is not worth our attention or our wrath.
> Let's point our fingers at the crafters who are making great art/craft and
> acknowledge them for what they do, not for where they went to school or
with
> whom they studied, but for what they make.
I'm all for that. The quality of the art/craft is what matters in the end.
But the reality is that people in all professions gain certain advantages
because of their education. That is just the way it is, and it is nothing
worthy of complaint or resentment. In the world of business and finance, a
well-padded resume counts for a lot. The same is true in so many other
fields, including art/craft. But as I said, the quality of the work is what
matters in the end.
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
Jeff Longtin on wed 18 sep 02
Oddly Vince I completely agree with you!
(Thank you for your tame response!)
I, too, am tired of my rants.
So let's agree on one thing: Let's use this chatroom to exchange information
about techniques and processes and let's put aside contentious comments based
on subjective opinions.
I don't volunteer stupid comments, I keep those to myself. I do, however,
take people to task when they do.
I was born Roman Catholic. I grew up, however, in a mostly Jewish community.
I am a white man. I now live in a mostly black neighborhood. I guess I'm just
a little sensitive when people make those "We're not like them" kind of
comments. We ARE like them just as THEY are like us (figuratively speaking).
I too want crafts, and crafters, to be given the same amount of respect that
art, and artists, are given. I don't think, however, we win over any friends
in the art community when we crafters niavely suggest that the art community
is guided by "artspeak". Just as there is "artspeak" in the art community I
think there is way to much "craftspeak" in the craft community. Rather than
point a finger at the supposed problem let's, instead, point a finger at the
solution..
Let's point our fingers at the crafters who are making great art/craft and
acknowledge them for what they do, not for where they went to school or with
whom they studied, but for what they make.
In closing Vince:
God forbid anyone takes any of these ramblings, by you or me, seriously.
(This is a chat room afterall!)
I presume fellow Clayarters have the inteligence to make up their own minds.
A little irratation maybe but definitely no offense intended
Jeff Longtin
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