hawksstephen@NETSCAPE.NET on mon 1 sep 03
The title of master should probably not even be used today except perhaps
as a designation of respect, with it having a more literal conotation. It
goes back to the actual title give to a potter or any craftsman by another
master after an aprenticeship and then the period required as a journeyman.
It was a title required in any trade to set up ones own shop. It was a way
of controlling competiotion. If the market was flooded it was harder to
recieve the title. It comes out of the guild systems of Europe which never
really applied in America except perhaps for a short period in the north. A
criterium of excelence must be arived at in a diferent way today,
obviously. We can assume that this is now simply a matter of opinion or we
can realize as always that it is still a matter of integrity and discipline
how ever much the venue has changed.
Regards,
Stephen Hawks
Vince Pitelka on mon 1 sep 03
Whoa Donn, having a bad day? Your rant on "masters" was very strange. =
First of all, you are in no position to issue summary judgement on the =
quality of anyone's art. You are certainly entitled to your opinion =
here, but you were making pronouncements, informing people of "how it =
is." In my opinion, that's not "how it is." Most of the people seen as =
"masters" on this list deserve that reference, and make extraordinary =
work. You are welcome to post me off-list with specific examples to the =
contrary and I'd be happy to discuss it. =20
I do not recall anyone on this list referring to themselves as a =
"master." If they had, it would indeed be pompous, and I would be =
suspicious of their genuine qualifications. Usually, when people =
aggressively try to pump up their own image, they are covering for some =
serious lacking. As someone very wise once said "Your best qualities =
are always most appreciated if discovered without your help."
I have noticed on websites or in promotional materials that artists will =
occasionally refer to themselves as "master potter" or "master =
sculptor." I always wonder if the person knows how that comes across. =
It is different in other cultures, but in the US the only time it seems =
appropriate for anyone to call themselves a "master" is in a trade where =
the licensing body grants that title, such as "master plumber." That =
becomes the accepted acknowledgement of their skill level. If others =
choose to call someone "a master of their trade," that is indeed a =
generous compliment, and I would hope the recipient is deserving. On =
this list, in my experience, they are. =20
If one goes through graduate school to earn the terminal degree in our =
field, it is of course the "Master of Fine Arts" degree. So, a =
qualified judging body has determined that they deserve that title. But =
it is extremely rare for anyone with an MFA to refer to themselves =
publicly as a "master." It just comes across as arrogant and pompous. =
For a true master, skill and knowledge speak for themselves, and the =
reference is unnecessary, unless delivered by others as a compliment. =20
In this day and age there are plenty of things that justify a good =
public rant. This doesn't seem to be one of them. =20
Best wishes -=20
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
615/597-5376
Office - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 x111, FAX 615/597-6803
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/
| |
|
