vince pitelka on sun 6 oct 02
> As long as there are artists, there will be artists' statements. This I
do
> not mind. I've even read some that were fact-based and quite interesting.
> However, I hate having to HAVE one more thing added on by the organizers
of
> fairs and other venues of selling; so that I can be disqualified from
their
> fair, just for NOT having it!
> It just seems to me that slides of my work and my check ought to be
enough.
> As for having it present in the booth - I don't want anything to distract
> potential customers from looking at my pottery. And that includes my
> "artist's statement."
Jeese, this is really getting ridiculous. This is not about YOU. This is
about the fair promoters being able to do the best job FOR YOU. Is that
really a problem? Having an artist's statement allows them to promote the
show more effectively, and it also gives them some idea of what you are
trying to accomplish with your work, which is ALWAYS an advantage for them.
How can this possible be such a big deal? I am really appalled by all this
whining and complaining about artist's statements. They are a GOOD THING.
- Vince, who usually tries to avoid writing in capital letters.
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/
vince pitelka on sun 6 oct 02
Les Crimp wrote:
"I love what you write and read about every post you submit. This,
notwithstanding the fact that I think on this "Artist's Statement" subject
you are very deeply stuck in the "academia" thing."
Les -
I appreciate the compliment, but permit me to be a bit defensive about the
latter part of your statement. Regarding being "stuck in the 'academic'
thing," it is one of my primary missions in academia to make sure that is
never true. As you know, I do strongly believe in the noble goals of
academia, but because I genuinely believe in it, and am committed to a
career in academia, I am determined that it will never become "academic" in
the stereotypical sense. When teachers begin to depend on the
tried-and-true status-quo standards and patterns of academia, education
becomes mediocre. It is only successful when you avoid those standards and
patterns, and believe first and foremost in the individual (both the teacher
and the student).
My approach to the artist's statement is exactly the opposite of the
expected academic approach. I want the statement to be the true reflection
of the individual artist, and whatever they have to do to crank out that
artist's statement will inevitably be a very productive experience. I am
not looking for a particular pattern or structure. I just know from
experience that every artist has much to gain by writing in their own words
about what they do.
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/
----- Original Message -----
From: "Les Crimp"
To:
Sent: Sunday, October 06, 2002 8:34 PM
Subject: Re: artists statements
> Vince -
>
> I love what you write and read about every post you submit. This,
> notwithstanding the fact that I think on this "Artist's Statement" subject
> you are very deeply stuck in the "academia" thing.
>
> Just my feeling.
>
> Les Crimp on that Island in the Pacific.
> lcrimp@shaw.ca
> www.arrowsmithpottersguild.bc.ca
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
Snail Scott on sun 6 oct 02
While the 'artist's statement' in its classic form
is indeed an academic warhorse, I see no need for
an inappropriate use of it. If 'academic' doesn't
suit your work, don't force it. Whe asked by a
gallery, shop or store to provide such a creature,
don't assume that that's what they really want,
either. Whether for a street fair or a Soho gallery,
it's all about what's appropriate. Ask yourself,
"What does my audience/ clientele WANT TO KNOW? For
Soho, by all means drag out the deconstructed
signifiers in all their glory, if that's what your
work is about. For functional ware at the craft
shows, skip that, but still provide something! Even
if your work 'speaks for itself', I'll bet there are
still questions that you hear often. Are there things
you wish people knew more about? Any misconceptions
that you hear often? Things that you'd like your
prospective buyers to know?
No one has to read the statement if they don't care.
But for the ones that do care, a statement, however
informal or 'concept-free', gives them more. You know
all about your own work, but the buyers don't. And
many of them will look more closely for having learned
something about the work or its maker. Who are you?
What is you work made of? 'Clay' seems obvious to you,
but not to everyone! And what's 'clay' anyway? Glazes -
they're not paint, and that's news to lots of folks!
All those core-of-the-sun temperatures, write 'em
down! And those exotic minerals and oxides - name
them - cobalt, manganese, copper carbonate - oooh!
Where's you learn, how'd you get started, and why?
What makes a given pot excellent, to you personally?
What's your favorite part of the process...describe
it! Throwing, trimming, glazing? The gooey sensual
feel of the material? That god-like feeling of making
an object from dirt? Linking yourself to an ancient
and living tradition? Creating the designs that suit
form and function so well? The primal act of watching
fire? Knowing that you don't have to punch a timeclock?
Let your customers into your world, just a little. The
ones that don't care, won't read it. For those who do,
you've given them something more than a pot for money,
and at virtually no cost. And maybe they'll give
something more back to you.
-Snail
Reno, NV
Lily Krakowski on sun 6 oct 02
Being a writer as well a potter I dislike and am suspicious of artists'
statements. For one, I admit I have helped friends who are not facile on
the typewriter write theirs. I suspect many artists enlist writer pals to
find those words. It is not that I object to that, or to dreamy pretentious
verbiage, it is only that to me the essence of a painting, a pot, a
sculpture is that it is NON VERBAL. If I want words I read. If I want
visual art I want it to be visual.
I think too often the artists statement is a replacement, a filler-in. To
me many of them say : I think I did not get my point across with my
pots/sculptures/paintings so I want to add....
I like artists statements that say something about the artist herself that I
might not have known or guessed.
Lili Krakowski
P.O. Box #1
Constableville, N.Y.
(315) 942-5916/ 397-2389
Be of good courage....
Marie Gibbons on sun 6 oct 02
In a message dated 10/6/02 8:14:52 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
mlkrakowski@CITLINK.NET writes:
> I like artists statements that say something about the artist herself that I
> might not have known or guessed.
>
>
I agree, and I think, hope, that when i put an artist statement 'out there'
it is telling people just such a thing... where do i 'come from' with my
work, what are the little things that are important to know but maybe not so
easy to see....
I think artists statements should give an insight, and when done that way
they are very helpful to the viewer to understand a bit more about you. face
it, you can't personally be there to talk to everyone yourself
marie gibbons
www.oooladies.com
OWLPOTTER@AOL.COM on sun 6 oct 02
As long as there are artists, there will be artists' statements. This I do
not mind. I've even read some that were fact-based and quite interesting.
However, I hate having to HAVE one more thing added on by the organizers of
fairs and other venues of selling; so that I can be disqualified from their
fair, just for NOT having it!
It just seems to me that slides of my work and my check ought to be enough.
As for having it present in the booth - I don't want anything to distract
potential customers from looking at my pottery. And that includes my
"artist's statement."
How much more complicated can they (organizers of events and sales venues)
make the application process????
-Carolynn Palmer
Somerset Center,
Michigan
vince pitelka on sun 6 oct 02
> Being a writer as well a potter I dislike and am suspicious of artists'
> statements. For one, I admit I have helped friends who are not facile on
> the typewriter write theirs. I suspect many artists enlist writer pals to
> find those words. It is not that I object to that, or to dreamy
pretentious
> verbiage, it is only that to me the essence of a painting, a pot, a
> sculpture is that it is NON VERBAL. If I want words I read. If I want
> visual art I want it to be visual.
Jeese Lili, with all due respect, this just does not make sense at all. It
is perfectly normal and very productive for an artist to attempt to discuss
in words what they are trying to say visually in their work. It is a very
GOOD thing to do this. It does not mean at all that they are trying to
accomplish the same thing with words. OF COURSE the work is non-verbal, but
that does not exclude written dialogue as a meaningful and productive way
for an artist to clarify their intent, or as an addendum to the work. I
find that artist's statements are ALWAYS helpful, as long as I look at the
work first. Usually the artist's statement provides contextual information
that increases my appreciation and understanding of the work, and that is
always a good thing. And then sometimes I might examine the work and find
it lacking, and then read the artist's statement and find it filled with
convoluted artspeak. In that case it simply confirms my initial reaction to
the work.
As I said in an earlier post, there are artist's statements which obscure
and confound, rather than illuminating and clarifying. So are we going to
dismiss all artist's statements? Are we going to say that an artist and
their work are suspect if they find it necessary to write about their intent
in an artist's statement? Of course not.
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/
Les Crimp on sun 6 oct 02
Vince -
I love what you write and read about every post you submit. This,
notwithstanding the fact that I think on this "Artist's Statement" subject
you are very deeply stuck in the "academia" thing.
Just my feeling.
Les Crimp on that Island in the Pacific.
lcrimp@shaw.ca
www.arrowsmithpottersguild.bc.ca
Craig Clark on mon 7 oct 02
Back from the hurricane run, a few days rest, gettin ready for big show
this weekend and wanting to chime in on this one to. This clay art thing
really is addictive. I've got a bazillion things that need doing right now
and here I am pecking away.
To the point of the deep foreboding with which some folks approach the
"artists statement." I say, give it a rest! Just sit down for a few minutes
an think about what it is that you do. Once you have arrived at that point
pick up paper and pencil and connect the dots. Not a big deal. Just let it
flow. You may even have a bit of fun if you give it a chance. THe key is not
to get hung up on the written word. If you really can't explain what it is
that you are attempting to do with your imagery then say so. THat may lead
into a interesting, and revealing subject, unto itself.
The whole idea behind the artists statement thing is to get artists to
consiously examine what it is that they do and to get them to articulate it.
This is merely an aspect of the overall artistic process. Certainly not an
end unto itself.
In the case of the shows wanting an artists statement I'll have to agree
with Vince. They are just a way for the show organizers to promote the
artists and the show.
Craig Dunn Clark
619 East 11 1/2 st
Houston, Texas 77008
(713)861-2083
mudman@hal-pc.org
----- Original Message -----
From: "vince pitelka"
To:
Sent: Sunday, October 06, 2002 10:22 PM
Subject: Re: artists statements
> > As long as there are artists, there will be artists' statements. This I
> do
> > not mind. I've even read some that were fact-based and quite
interesting.
> > However, I hate having to HAVE one more thing added on by the
organizers
> of
> > fairs and other venues of selling; so that I can be disqualified from
> their
> > fair, just for NOT having it!
> > It just seems to me that slides of my work and my check ought to be
> enough.
> > As for having it present in the booth - I don't want anything to
distract
> > potential customers from looking at my pottery. And that includes my
> > "artist's statement."
>
> Jeese, this is really getting ridiculous. This is not about YOU. This is
> about the fair promoters being able to do the best job FOR YOU. Is that
> really a problem? Having an artist's statement allows them to promote the
> show more effectively, and it also gives them some idea of what you are
> trying to accomplish with your work, which is ALWAYS an advantage for
them.
> How can this possible be such a big deal? I am really appalled by all
this
> whining and complaining about artist's statements. They are a GOOD THING.
> - Vince, who usually tries to avoid writing in capital letters.
>
> 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/
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Janet Kaiser on mon 7 oct 02
Ah, but Vince, there are those who do not feel either happy or comfortable
verbalising... Are you saying if they do not attempt to "discuss" their
work in words, it is not good work? Or if they chose not to verbalise they
are lacking in some way? That is the tenor of what you say and many will
have cause to find that does not make sense either.
Sincerely
Janet Kaiser
*********** REPLY SEPARATOR ***********
>Jeese Lili, with all due respect, this just does not make sense at all.
It
>is perfectly normal and very productive for an artist to attempt to
discuss
>in words what they are trying to say visually in their work. It is a very
>GOOD thing to do this.
********************************************
Janet Kaiser
The Chapel of Art =95 Capel Celfyddyd
8 Marine Crescent, Criccieth LL52 0EA, Wales, UK
Tel: 01766-523570 URL: http://www.the-coa.org.uk
vince pitelka on tue 8 oct 02
Janet wrote:
"Ah, but Vince, there are those who do not feel either happy or comfortable
verbalising... Are you saying if they do not attempt to "discuss" their
work in words, it is not good work? Or if they chose not to verbalise they
are lacking in some way? That is the tenor of what you say and many will
have cause to find that does not make sense either."
Dear Janet -
You make some amazing leaps in interpreting my words. Please do not take
offense from this, but I am not going to answer your first question, because
it has nothing to do with anything I said and is unnecessary.
Regarding the second question: "Or, if they choose not to verbalize they are
lacking in some way?" No, of course they are not lacking in any way. They
are just denying themselves and their customers a valuable opportunity. It
has nothing at all to do with how shy they are, or how much difficulty they
have with verbalizing the intent of their work. The more trouble they have
with it, the more valuable the experience will be. For you or me or Lili,
writing an artist's statement is no big rip. For those who struggle with
the idea, it can be a defining experience, helping to clarify content and
intent, and that is always a great benefit.
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/
Hendrix, Taylor J. on tue 8 oct 02
Isn't the point of the artist's statement to make a statement about the =
artist and not necessarily about the art (though that does naturally =
fit)? Why all this checking because "the art should speak for itself"? =
People want to know the aesthetic philosophy of the artist. They want =
to know why you are so fixated on extruded forms or why you choose to =
slip cast the same found object ad infinitum or perhaps where you went =
to school, if you've ever served in the military, what your family is =
like, what your favorite book was. They have an idea why you sculpted a =
phone booth with a severely acute perspective, but they might get a kick =
finding out that it's not the reason they thought. Perhaps the person =
is a bit dimmer than the average bear. Don't discriminate! Throw the =
guy a bone, toss him a crumb. I'm starving here.
Taylor, in Waco, where the night shift is starting to get OLD.
vince pitelka on tue 8 oct 02
For them, it does not "flow". It's easy for those of us who are college
educated to assume that anyone can sit down and write. Afterall, we had to
do it to pass classes. Art is a visual method of communitcation. Let it
speak for itself.
Kathi -
Being college educated might help the flow of language a bit, but it does
not necessarily make us more able to express the meaning of our artwork. I
know from long experience that the act of writing an artist's statement is
ESPECIALLY valuable for someone who struggles with language, and the words
they come up with are often that much more succinct and expressive. And old
clichés like "Art is a visual method of communication. Let it speak for
itself." are tired and empty, and have little to do with this conversation.
The artist's statement is often an illumination of information which is not
obvious in the artwork. In writing out that information, we identify and
organize key issues within our own approach to our work, and in offering
that information to others, we enhance their appreciation of our work. What
could possibly be wrong with that?
I apologize for so tenuously sinking my teeth in this issue like some kind
of junkyard dog (royalties to David Hendley) chasing after a hubcap thief,
but you can probably tell that I feel pretty strongly about this.
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/
Jennifer F Boyer on tue 8 oct 02
Here's mine, about as far from ArtSpeak as you can get. It was
born in a Clayart thread asking why we are potters. Other
Clayarters emailed me that it was good writing. I've been using
it ever since......Thanks Clayart! Now I have an artist's
statement I wasn't even aware of writing! Craig is right(see
below). Here it is:
Why am I a potter?
I've been a full time production potter for 25 years. I tried
throwing pots during my first year at Goddard College in 1972
and had to drop everything else from that moment on. The college
also provided a structure in which I could do an apprenticeship
in a production studio for almost a year. That gave me a real
feeling for what a life in clay would be like.
I got married to Tony the same summer I graduated and we bought
land and built a house and studio. Starting the studio and a
family at the same time was a challenge, but we all survived.
I've been married to Tony for 30 years and we've raised 2
children who are a joy. And no, the kids aren't potters!
Now I'm watching a lot of my friends having career crises:
quitting jobs, reassessing, going back to school, switching
careers. I wonder what's wrong with me? Why do I still get the
chills when picking up a particularly chubby soup bowl. Why is
there so much pleasure in the feel of leather hard clay after
all these years? It still feels good.
People buy what I make and tell me how much they appreciate it.
I love designing: studios, kilns, glazes, forms, show displays,
brochures, web pages, price lists, ware racks, all of it. Pot
making is active and tiring. Challenging to the mind and body in
a nice balance. And I can go bike riding on a beautiful day
because the geese are flying: no one disapproves.
I like potters, red hot kilns, equipment catalogues, pots of the
present and past. There's a finger mark, a little handle crack,
an iron spot that ties me to the makers. No career crisis here.
Of course there's the time after the holidays when I'm ready to
work in a book store, happy to never touch clay again. But that
feeling passes every time.
Jennifer Boyer
KLeSueur@AOL.COM on tue 8 oct 02
<>
I don't have a problem with writing my own "artist's statement". I have a problem with requiring an "artist's statement". I taught English composition (as well as clay) to delinquents for many years. I often encouraged talented students to seek a career on the art fair circuit. These were kids who would never survive the traditional work environment. There are lots of artist out there who didn't have a delinquency background, but still suffer from the same inability to express themselves in the written word. For them, it does not "flow". It's easy for those of us who are college educated to assume that anyone can sit down and write. Afterall, we had to do it to pass classes. Art is a visual method of communitcation. Let it speak for itself.
Kathi LeSueur
Craig Edwards on wed 9 oct 02
artists making statements, about artists statements, about artists
statements!!! I think I'll go back to work, where the wheel spins instead of
my head.
Craig Edwards
New London MN
_________________________________________________________________
MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos:
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John Baymore on wed 9 oct 02
An artist's statement involves some introspection. That is what often
makes it so difficult to get going.
So it seems to me that the biggest benefit of writing an artist's stateme=
nt
goes to the artist him/herself. In the act of writing, one begins to thi=
nk
about, evaluate, and distill the ideas and motivations that go into the
tangible 3-D work. The act of writing often helps the artist to clarify
stuff that was somewhat vague and undeveloped. In the process of thinkin=
g
about writing such a piece, often the work itself tends to improve or
change..... due to the artist gaining a clearer understanding of what the=
real intents are and what issues in the work are the most important.
So...... try writing one. Don't do it for others.... do it for yourself.=
=
Once you have written it....... put it in a shoebox if you want to. Re-d=
o
it without immediately looking at the old one every so often...... it
usually will change....... just as the work evolves over time.
Then if you need it.... you can just pull the latest copy out of the
shoebox.
My $0.02 worth.
Best,
..............................john
John Baymore
River Bend Pottery
22 Riverbend Way
Wilton, NH 03086 USA
603-654-2752 (s)
800-900-1110 (s)
JohnBaymore.com
JBaymore@compuserve.com
mel jacobson on mon 30 oct 06
remember kelly, all artists statements go
finally to the same place.
in a dark drawer, hidden away with those
pictures of you at your first prom.
and, where in the hell did you get that dress?
say hi to diana, and remind her that i make much
better salmon than she does.
she is a gem.
mel
from: mel/minnetonka.mn.usa
website: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
Clayart page link: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
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