mel jacobson on fri 20 dec 02
the whole discussion of color and the corporate world
got me thinking. (deep trouble here.)
the reason that corporate america is so concerned with
new color is clear. it makes things obsolete.
that green truck i bought nine years ago...sticks out like
a sore thumb. it is not cool, or an `in color`. (as if i care.)
many will buy a new car or truck because the color is
not `in`. same with appliances.
harvest gold is not `in` at all....even if the stove works
well, people are embarrassed to have folks see that old stove.
so my point is:
don't let those influences affect what you make as an artist.
work on your own aesthetic, or that of your customer base.
get it right, with research and study. it will make you much
happier. if you like pink, and your customers hate pink, well
you may want to make changes. it is your right to make pink,
but, don't get pissed if people hate it. same with dead fish brown.
we all make adjustments, and that too is important. just make
sure you know why you are adjusting.
mfa.
the degree is wonderful, and should be a chance to totally
immerse yourself in your art...with teaching aid and critical
discussion. but, without question, the degree is not a college
professor training course. it is an art study course..the
best there is. if you think you are going to get a tenure track
college job with an mfa...well, think again. your chances of becoming
a rock star are better.
those that enter mfa programs with their eyes wide open, are ready
to do `ART` and study `ART` will more than likely come out
the other end with a great experience. (and have your life changed.)
the tragedy is, there is no way to train people to be great college
teachers. it is all a crap shoot. some of the best just happen
to happen.
land grant universities are based and exist for research. in many
cases, it is their primary goal. and, i still believe that this is valid and
more than important. at all levels teaching is an art form. we get
the good and the bad...it is just how it works.
if you want close and personal attention in a college, then pick
a small private school that is created for that purpose. big
universities are not `nice` places...they are for the best of the
best. that does not always translate into `nice, happy, folksy teachers`.
when you get the `best of the best`, egos run rampant. if you get
caught between them, it is like being between a mama bear and
her cubs...you can get cut to pieces. one must be prepared or
you will not make it. many do not. it is not a place for the timid.
mel
From:
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
web site: my.pclink.com/~melpots
or try: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
Rebecca P on fri 20 dec 02
Mel said...
when you get the `best of the best`, egos run rampant. if you get
caught between them, it is like being between a mama bear and
her cubs...you can get cut to pieces. one must be prepared or
you will not make it. many do not. it is not a place for the timid.
How sad.
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John Rodgers on fri 20 dec 02
Mel,
Your comments got me to thinking as well - Like you, I'm in big trouble
here to. most likely.
Mel said:
> the reason that corporate america is so concerned with
> new color is clear. it makes things obsolete.
You are obviously correct. The whole issue is rolled up in one word:
Marketing! And the second word is: Sales!
By rendering things obsolete, and at the same time presenting a new
color, or new whatever in a manner as to elevate it in the eyes of the
public, creates a desire to have this new thing. This is the key to
marketing .... and with good marketing the sales will follow. There is a
heavy application of psychology involved in all this, and companies
spend millions on their marketing and sales programs. I suggest that
everyone of us involved in producing objects in clay with the intent of
sale, do some in-depth reading about marketing and how it works. It will
be an eye opener, and if the principles are applied, we all will see
sales increases.
Mel said>>
> mfa.
> the degree is wonderful,
I don't have an MFA. I don't even have a degree in Art at all. My degree
is in science, and it's application, along with my experience , gives me
a unique perspective that cannot be gotten in an MFA program. But then
that is what makes me, me. Works that way for everyone. Makes us all
unique. No doubt an MFA would be nice. Certainly some good principles
can be gained from it, and if you want to get caught up in the hierarchy
of Academia related to the arts, great. Go for it.
But for me I could care less. I believe art comes from within, and will
express itself somehow, no matter what. For myself, I consider the MFA
to be just one more tool, nothing more.
John Rodgers
Birmingham, AL
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