I haven't reviewed it yet but I love that it exists:
http://eyelevel.si.edu/
November 29, 2005
October 24, 2005
Rodney Smith Photography
An exhibit by Rodney Smith has come to the BYU Museum of Art. And it is delightful. There is a sort of sophisticated joy that saturates each photo. I walked through on a lunch break. I wish I had more time. But I highly recommend it. I am thinking of purchasing a few prints myself.
Oh, and by the way, I just started working at BYU as the Library's Graphics/Web Designer. Yay for me.
Oh, and by the way, I just started working at BYU as the Library's Graphics/Web Designer. Yay for me.
September 23, 2005
Warren Kimble
Nothing says 'Art of the People' like Folk Art. One of my favorite folk artist's is Warren Kimble.
This isn't a revelation. He's everyone's favorite folk artist. Generally, I steer clear of pop culture. And really most people wouldn't say that he falls in the realm of pop culture. But there's a certain 'well-marketed quality'. Thomas Kinkade is well marketed, but I don't want to put him in the same bucket as Thomas Kinkade. As far as I'm concerned, Thomas Kinkade painted one painting and has been selling it ever since. But that is a different subject.
I'm probably a fool for liking his stuff. But I just can't help myself. There's something about that 'American Cow' that just speaks to me...calling to me...in a quiet 'moo'.
This isn't a revelation. He's everyone's favorite folk artist. Generally, I steer clear of pop culture. And really most people wouldn't say that he falls in the realm of pop culture. But there's a certain 'well-marketed quality'. Thomas Kinkade is well marketed, but I don't want to put him in the same bucket as Thomas Kinkade. As far as I'm concerned, Thomas Kinkade painted one painting and has been selling it ever since. But that is a different subject.
I'm probably a fool for liking his stuff. But I just can't help myself. There's something about that 'American Cow' that just speaks to me...calling to me...in a quiet 'moo'.
August 25, 2005
MOMA Podcast
If you've been following my posts so far (which I have no reason to presume because I've yet to see a single comment) you may think I've no place in my heart for modern art. To be completely honest, I have no idea where in my heart modern art lives. But somewhere in there a small corner is carved out that entertains from time to time a few modern pieces. Most of them get shuttled out of that corner rather quickly. Nevertheless, some get stored their permanently, rising to the position of being a part of the permanent collection of my heart.
I've said all that to explain my interest in the MOMA. Particularly, I've just discovered that the MOMA has a podcast. Interstingly, you won't find it advertised on their site. I don't know why. I came across it browsing throught the 'New and Notable' podcasts in iTunes. Check it out and you too might find something for your own permanent collection.
I've said all that to explain my interest in the MOMA. Particularly, I've just discovered that the MOMA has a podcast. Interstingly, you won't find it advertised on their site. I don't know why. I came across it browsing throught the 'New and Notable' podcasts in iTunes. Check it out and you too might find something for your own permanent collection.
July 20, 2005
Rules and Exceptions
Here's a rule of thumb: wait twenty minutes after eating before going into the water. You'll cramp up if you do.
Now let's think of an exception to that rule. You see your five-year-old daughter is knocked down in some large waves and can't get her footing. You've just had a large pastrami on rye - definitely cramp-inducing fare if I ever saw any. Do you go in the water to help her? Of course you do! It's common sense, right?!
In the art world, we've lost all common sense. We're so intent on continually breaking all the rules that we've thrown out all the rules. Now we're even becoming disenchanted with the exceptions we embraced a moment ago and are ready to throw those out as well.
I predict that in two years, every new piece of artwork will be an empty white room with the same name...'Art'.
Now let's think of an exception to that rule. You see your five-year-old daughter is knocked down in some large waves and can't get her footing. You've just had a large pastrami on rye - definitely cramp-inducing fare if I ever saw any. Do you go in the water to help her? Of course you do! It's common sense, right?!
In the art world, we've lost all common sense. We're so intent on continually breaking all the rules that we've thrown out all the rules. Now we're even becoming disenchanted with the exceptions we embraced a moment ago and are ready to throw those out as well.
I predict that in two years, every new piece of artwork will be an empty white room with the same name...'Art'.
July 12, 2005
Art - Any Monkey Can Do It
Dumb.
We've been calling ourselves apes for years. Now we're shelling out more cash for art by a dead chimp than dead men.
By now you've all heard the sale of artwork by Congo, a chimpanzee, for $25,000 at auction. (Here's a link for those who haven't: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=864843). Congo isn't alive anymore. He died of tuberculosis in '64. But while he was alive he produced a bunch of paintings. And apparently, Howard Hong, the American bidder who purchased the works, thinks they fall in the category of 'modern and contemporary painting'.
Hogwash.
I am an artist. I segued into graphic design as a way of providing reliably for my family. But my roots are firmly planted in painting and drawing. I've worked hard to develop those skills. And now Hong is telling me that this chimp's artwork is worthy of a $25,000 check.
There's an old saying. It goes, "Any monkey can do that." It means the task is so simple that it requires no thought and simple skills. If that is what it takes to make 'modern and contemporary art', count me out.
We've been calling ourselves apes for years. Now we're shelling out more cash for art by a dead chimp than dead men.
By now you've all heard the sale of artwork by Congo, a chimpanzee, for $25,000 at auction. (Here's a link for those who haven't: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=864843). Congo isn't alive anymore. He died of tuberculosis in '64. But while he was alive he produced a bunch of paintings. And apparently, Howard Hong, the American bidder who purchased the works, thinks they fall in the category of 'modern and contemporary painting'.
Hogwash.
I am an artist. I segued into graphic design as a way of providing reliably for my family. But my roots are firmly planted in painting and drawing. I've worked hard to develop those skills. And now Hong is telling me that this chimp's artwork is worthy of a $25,000 check.
There's an old saying. It goes, "Any monkey can do that." It means the task is so simple that it requires no thought and simple skills. If that is what it takes to make 'modern and contemporary art', count me out.
July 05, 2005
Art as a Discipline
Many people talk about Karate as a discipline. People who own Karate studios want you to know about all the things you're children can gain from paying the $50 for their lessons. Self-confidence, strength and discipline. Discipline can be called self control or restraint.
Karate itself is also called a discipline. A discipline is a course of study that teaches you a skill or trade. The discipline of karate teaches you how to use your body as a weapon. Look out lumberyards - we're coming for you!
What I'm saying is this: Art should perform similarly as a discipline. It should enlarge the abilities of the disciple - in this case, the artist. Art should be something that an artist can apply themselves to again and again and see improvement with every effort. If the art asks nothing of the artist then it isn't art.
Let's take Jackson Pollock. Dripping paint on canvas takes no trained skill or intense effort. Rockwell proved he could copy Pollocks style with one effort. Could Pollock likewise imitate Rockwell's art? It would require Pollock years of study and training to mimic Rockwell's style. Study and training are the foundation of discipline.
Karate itself is also called a discipline. A discipline is a course of study that teaches you a skill or trade. The discipline of karate teaches you how to use your body as a weapon. Look out lumberyards - we're coming for you!
What I'm saying is this: Art should perform similarly as a discipline. It should enlarge the abilities of the disciple - in this case, the artist. Art should be something that an artist can apply themselves to again and again and see improvement with every effort. If the art asks nothing of the artist then it isn't art.
Let's take Jackson Pollock. Dripping paint on canvas takes no trained skill or intense effort. Rockwell proved he could copy Pollocks style with one effort. Could Pollock likewise imitate Rockwell's art? It would require Pollock years of study and training to mimic Rockwell's style. Study and training are the foundation of discipline.
June 28, 2005
What is Art?
That was the title of an early 20th century Leo Tolstoy paper. I use it here because the downward spiral in the quality of art in general has continued since Tolstoy's time. Or, I should say, the definition of art as heralded by modern, self-proclaimed officianados has been further obfuscated by their vague, irrelevant meanderings. Kind of like the start of this post.
Let's put it this way. A lot of people don't understand art and they're made to feel that they're not sophisticated enough because they don't get it. But I have a feeling that often there is nothing to get. What a shame that is! Art should be of the people, for the people and by the people.
I am sure that I am going to upset many people with this blog - most likely the charlatans trying to parlay this modern elixir on an unsuspecting public. Or maybe I'll go entirely unnoticed, which is more likely. I hope to find people that feel the way I do and are ready to do something about it.
Let's put it this way. A lot of people don't understand art and they're made to feel that they're not sophisticated enough because they don't get it. But I have a feeling that often there is nothing to get. What a shame that is! Art should be of the people, for the people and by the people.
I am sure that I am going to upset many people with this blog - most likely the charlatans trying to parlay this modern elixir on an unsuspecting public. Or maybe I'll go entirely unnoticed, which is more likely. I hope to find people that feel the way I do and are ready to do something about it.
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