Thank you for sharing your chairs. I could imagine having them all in a gathering as we talked about this book. For the record my favorite chair is a recliner in my studio (which also rocks). I love to have sketches or works in progress on the wall and be able to stretch back to look at the work...maybe nap a bit and then see the work with rested eyes.
For this chapter's extra question, consider the influence from outsiders...curators, anthropologists, collectors. When does good intention cause more harm than good? Or is it just progress? Have you ever had a story elaborated about you/your work? How much of art history is really just marketing stories?
Catch Up- Chapter 2
ReplyDeleteSurprised- The history of the Monrovian Pottery and Tile Works surprised me. I had no idea about the style or the history. The fact that Mercer believed folk and fine arts were inseparable was inspiring to me. Too often we separate them into their own individual categories. The picture on page 55 completely fascinated me. The intricacies that were achieved is just amazing. I love the variations in colors and to think that it is only about 30x30 inches (I actually had to get a tape measure out and block that off) impressed me even more.
Impressed- I have always been impressed with the mission style furniture and craftsmanship. I love the simple yet functional way it is made. I've always wanted to get into woodworking and think that this is the style that I would most likely turn to for inspiration.
Take Away- One of the biggest take-aways for me comes towards the end of the chapter when they discuss craft education. It makes me realize that I need to do more in my K-5 classroom to highlight the craft movement and artwork.
Ideal Craft Community- I think the biggest dream of mine for a craft community would be one where everyone comes together and shares ideas and teaches one another. Tulsa's art community is growing and it is exciting to see. We have one place that does glass blowing, one that does pottery, and then a couple of independent art museums. This is all within a 2-3 block area in our downtown. The first Friday of the month they all open their doors and there is an art crawl. It's really neat to see, but it's also very insulated. I would love for there to be even more areas around town where not only adult artists but student artists could congregate and share.
Catch Up- Chapter 3
ReplyDeleteSurprised- I think what surprised me most was how long it took to start the craft institutions and the use of craft as occupational therapy. I suppose I've just grown up in a time where craft was readily available and take that for granted.
Impressed- I continue to be impressed by the influence females had on the craft movement. I look at Elizabeth Copeland's work (pg 99) and read about how she had learned from Laurin Martin. It is impressive on its own merit, but also incredibly impressive the sharing of ideas between female artists.
Take Away- Fundamentally, I know that different regions play an impact on different styles of art. That being said, I was surprised by the influence of the region on studio jewelry. I have always grown up in the Mid-West and wonder if that's why I struggle to relate to more abstract art that.
Favorite Chair-I had to think about my favorite chair for a while. It is an orange-brown leather rolling chair. Simple in design, square cushions and simple oak for the arms and base of the chair. I remember spinning around in the chair for hours. This chair was my granddad's office chair. I have no idea where the chairs ended up after he passed away, but I think it is one chair that has stood out in my life. I am lucky enough to have his desk as my desk in my classroom now, so at least I have a part of him there. I also have a picture on my desk of him at his desk sitting in this chair.
Chapter 4 (Finally caught up and flu free!!)
ReplyDeleteSurprised- Oh, textiles!! I don't really know if this is more of a surprise or impressed topic. I was surprised by the intricate details that they were able to achieve in their artwork.
Impressed-I was really impressed with the Cubic Coffee Service on page 120. I just find it absolutely gorgeous and would love to have been able to see it being made.
Take Away- Living in Oklahoma for the majority of my life, I think I have taken for granted the impact of Indian Art on the art world. I need to do a better job of highlighting this in my classroom and not just assuming that my students will see and understand the artwork just because it is readily accessible.
When does good intention cause more harm than good- Well, this is a hard question for me. I have been the president of the teacher's union for 13 years, and now someone who I believe has good intentions is causing me so much personal hurt that it is hard to see the good. I feel like I am barely treading water right now. That being said, with relations to art, I think when we restrict knowledge of a subject we are causing more harm than good. I wanted to do a big unit on Dia de los Muertos with my students this year, but my principal vetoed it saying that it was "too scary." This perpetuates the fear and misunderstanding related to art and crafts.
Glad you are feeling better. Welcome back. Your insights are solid and bring up reality in the class room today. Sorry about the Dia de los Muertos celebration. Most of our schools have a wonderful series on the subject, from a milagro tree to batik skulls. Your observation on Native works in your area is common...we all take for grated what we live with.Never too late to include the work.
DeleteTell your principal to watch Coco! It is a beautiful holiday of remembrance!
DeleteIt's true!
DeleteChapter 1:
ReplyDelete1. What surprised you?
I was most surprised by the fact that early studio craft had a depth beyond the visual aesthetic of the art itself. It was amazing to learn about how crafts were used to comment on the current state of the industrialized workforce, promote and push for gender equality (ie women raising funds for the women’s building at a world fair, or Candace Wheelers SDA), and in general to promote goodness in society or rearrange the hierarchy within society. It was also refreshing to read about so many influential female crafters in almost every section. It almost seemed as if men were the minority, which is a rare experience when reading through most recounts of history.
2. What impressed you?
I was most impressed by some of the early philosophy behind the movement. The idea that mechanical specialization unhumanizes us is something that really resonates with me (This general idea can be found in a quote by Ruskin on page 5). Ruskin goes on to talk about how humans need a sort of creative control for their work to be satisfying to them. He also believed that art was connected to a larger picture and that it was a reflection of so many other things. I also enjoyed Pugin ideas surrounding art as well, specifically the idea that certain types of materials have more natural forms and processes. Further on in the chapter I was impressed by Robert Ashbee’s guild shop and the fact that he viewed craft work as socially valuable so he would hire those who could benefit most from the craft (page 12). It makes me think of a canoe building school in Washington State that I have toured and been so intrigued with. As I read this chapter I think I am so intrigued by it because I feel like building a canoe would build character in me and would connect me to myself. I don’t know if I am explaining this well but I really resonate with these morals that stand behind these crafters work and, now that I am thoughtful about it, realize that I am drawn to craft because I believe it socially and personally valuable.
3. What are you carrying away with you?
After just reading this first chapter I don’t think I can look at studio craft the same. I think a lot of studio craft has not typicaly been aesthetically appealing to me (I know that is a generalized statement). After reading this chapter and understanding the philosophy, utility, and statement behind the movement I can see myself being a lot more interested in studio craft as it is much more dynamic than I ever realized.
4. What do you think is the relationship between studio crafts and architecture today?
The answer to this question is not so obvious for me. I guess I have been noticing a lot of buildings recently that attempt to use natural materials in a more “natural” way, as redundant as this is. This ties back into Pugin’s ideas about respecting a materials natural form and process. I recently took my son to the Natural History Museum of Utah and was so blown away by the architecture. It felt respectful of the ground it sat on and like the material being used (concrete and steel) were happy in their forms vs. being forced into a form. (Pictured here: Link to Museum h) Reading through other people’s response to this question I would say that I also see a trend towards people exposing plumbing, heating, and masonry, into the actual aesthetics of a building.
I not sure if plumbing and heating are part of crafts but wood work certainly is. I think of doors, window treatment, and interior ornamentation.I am glad you are rethinking studio craft.
DeleteChapter 2:
ReplyDeleteWhat impressed you?
My favorite section of this chapter was the section that overviewed jewelry making. The section (page 64) talks about how Arts and Crafts jewelry rejected costume jewelry (produced with machines and cheap material) but also rejected social jewelry (produced with costly material used to signify wealth). I thought that the “morals” behind this craft really resonated with me. I wonder if these ideas were allowed to be developed within the culture of Arts and Crafts Jewelry because it was one of the most accessible crafts, drawing a diverse group of crafters.
What surprised you?
I think I am continually surprised by how we struggle with similar things that crafters and artists struggled with over a hundred years ago. More specifically this chapter really seemed to bring up the challenge of balancing the production of quality craft with finances. And popularity does not necessarily immunize you from this problem. With my craft, printmaking, I find that I often need to explain the process of my work so people understand that my work has value beyond its utility. For example: a poster produced with machines may look more meticulous than a hand printed poster, but a hand printed poster ought to be more valuable because of the skill and process used.
What are you carrying away with you?
I think I am continually impressed to work within arts and crafts for the mere purpose of the process refining me. I have taken pottery and jewelry making classes and have really enjoyed both and reading this book motivates me to get back into those mediums for therapeutic benefit. Speaking of therapy, page 39 mentioned a condition called neurathemia characterized by physical and mental weariness…I’m pretty sure I have it.
My ideal crafts community:
For sure a print shop, a pottery studio, and a bookbinder. Also sewing equipment would be awesome. I think I would love to incorporate gardens, and animals that could produce some of the material for crafting but also milk, eggs etc. I like the idea of recognizing each craft as equally important when it comes to adding to the life quality of the community and connecting people, from a young age, to the natural resources of our earth that allow us to create. Hopefully promoting respect for the earth, oneself and others.
gardens and animals...YES
Deletenice comments, glad you are able to catch up
Chapter 3
ReplyDeleteWhat impressed you?
First off Stickley’s Craftsman Farms (page 94) sounds like my ideal craft community. I was surprised to read that no one expressed interest in the farm. My favorite part of this reading was learning about Dirk Van Erp. This might seem silly or small but I really loved how his daughter took part in his craft, and that the reading made it seem like her addition to his work increased the value of his craft. I have done a couple of art projects with my toddler and find that I am inspired by our father son relationship a lot in the works I create. It was fun to read about another artist incorporating his daughter into his work.
What surprised you?
I was again surprised about how many issues artists faced then are still issues now. In particular as I was reading about The Armory Show I was thinking about how a lot of times I hear people critiquing what should be considered art and what shouldn’t. This chapter mentioned several times art not being accepted because it wasn’t in an appropriate style and medium. I love how the artists took things into their own hands by arranging The Armory Show. I really liked the quote shared by a husband of one of the participants “the crowds piled in and out day after day-some hilarious-some furious-none indifferent. There was never anything like it-so completely a surprise-so completely devastating to the complaisant American” (page 86). The show was a huge success not necessarily because people found the art appropriate but because they found it hilarious, furious, etc. I enjoyed thinking about those artists sticking it to the man.
What will you take away?
After reading this I feel inspired to continue to create what is in my heart despite people’s opinion of it. I was just really inspired by artists doing their own unique things in this chapter. Zorach in particular had that amazing “needlepainting” that wasn’t originally accepted into the Museum of Modern Art because it didn’t fit into a category, but it is so beautiful and creative.
My favorite chair:
It’s upholstered softly in pooh-green fabric. It can swivel 360 degrees as well as rock back and forth, and its arms are just high enough for me to rest on, and just low enough for me to be able to play my guitar without impeding.
It’s a sad story really, but my wife hated it from the moment I brought it home from a thrift store and declared what a deal I got (it was $30). Long story short, it was one of the items left behind when I moved from Lubbock to Utah. It now sits in David Lindsays office at Texas Tech if you want to see it in all its glory.
funny story about a funny chair
DeleteI was incredibly surprised, although I probably shouldn't have been, by the way the Cohns lied and pretty much made up how the world viewed Keyser’s work and herself. I understand that she had a contract with them and this is what she had basically agreed to to have a home and be able to provide for her and her husband but at some point...did she break? I think I would have but it is different times we're talking about here.
ReplyDeleteI was highly impressed by the kind of artist, businessman, and craftsman Wallace Nutting was. Especially when he had his own shop and workers that worked for him. His Ten Commandments of labor gave me a sense of how the atmosphere in his shop may have been. It sounds like a place I would enjoy to work at.
What I think I will be taking from this week’s reading the most is probably being more aware of someone’s word about others. You always hear about how the media can twist words around to make a story sound the way they want it to sound but straight up creating this fake story about someone is something more than just changing a few words.
I’ve never had a story be told about me that was not true. At least not to my knowledge. I definitely don’t think I would be okay with it knowing that it was happening. Even if it was for good intentions, I would want people to like me and my work for what it is and not just a story. It does make me question how much of art history is/was just for marketing purposes. I guess maybe that’s why there are still people out there searching for the truth in old artworks and artists.
I agree with you about admiring Wallace Nutting and his work ethic. I would have loved to see or own one of his custom pieces. It sounds like a great deal of time and effort was put in to each one of them.
Deletesome people would say all marketing is a story "kinda" based on facts
DeleteThat's funny and sad at the same time.
DeleteChapter 4:
ReplyDelete1. What surprised you?
I was surprised with the folk high school folkehøjskole. I think it would have been interesting to take a class on calligraphy and storytelling! This school allows you to practice and craft your subject.
2. What impressed you?
I was impressed with the story on Cohn and Keyser. The Cohn’s embellished Keyser’s name to Dat So La Lee and created elaborate stories and rituals about her bowls.
3 and for 4. What am I taking away and When does good intention cause more harm than good?
I had a high school teacher tell me to "Fluff up" my story and make it a sad story during my V.A.S.E interview because it was going to help me score higher. I would also have to say that this is also what I am taking away from this chapter. I believe there is no reason to make up a story about what and who you are as a person. When I go to art shows and galleries, part of the reason why I by artwork is because of the artist background and art process. I believe that the most important part of art making is why we are doing it, what is the meaning, and our purpose in life.
Stories seem to help people to relate to the work, I suppose. Sometimes I don't understand an artist's intentions or style until knowing more about them, personally. It does not, however, take away from whether I think the artwork was initially appealing or not.
DeleteCan't believe a teacher would do that over telling you to just be you and talk about your work, yet I know galleries have done the same, critics make up stuff and then museums justify the stories
DeleteChapter 4:
ReplyDeleteSurprised: Once again I find myself surprised at how rich craft can be as a reflection of religious and social movements, tradition, and consumer trends. I also found it interesting to read about Lydia Bush-Brown’s textiles. I thought it was very interesting how the book stated that her work was appealing because it had strong links to imagery, like painting, whereas other textile may have been harder to “read” because it was more focused on material and tactile qualities (page 129). I think this is an interesting statement on the consumers likes, they wanted work that was easy to read.
Impressed: I was most impressed by Erik Magnussen’s Cubic Coffee Service. Visually it is amazing. I was interested to read that he never really created anything else like that again. I wondered if Gorham commissioned him to do this or if this was something that Magnussen had more creative control in.
Take Away: The biggest take away in this chapter was how challenging it is to balance time-honored methods with innovation. Often the time honored methods weren’t valued or sought after because of the cost of production. At the same time in some instances tradition was highly sought after and sometimes exploited (I’m thinking of Louisa Keyser in this instance).
Have you ever had a story elaborated about you or your work?
YES! I have had this happen to me often. One funny instance happened when took my 2-year-old son’s scribbles and screen-printed them in several layers and colors. I displayed the pieces in class and it was AMAZING what people saw in the work. Even after I told them they were scribbles they still seemed to try to convince me that they had to be much more. People could see images or were interpreting what the colors and lines meant.
I’ve also had people try and use my artwork to promote ideas that I did not originally create them to promote. In conversation they were trying to convince me that I had created my art to promote what they wanted it to. It was fascinating.
The cubist work by Erik WAS amazing, wasn't it? I would never have anything like that in my home because it seems so cold and uninviting, but I couldn't take my eyes off of it either.
Deletelove the story of the scribbles...so perfect for a school of art! LOL.
DeleteWhat surprised me was that Kool-Aid was invented in the 20's?!?! Wow...I had no idea. In regards to the art aspect of the reading I was surprised me was that the crafts school started by the Campbells still exists today! I want to go and see it! I wish we had a college of creative studies in my city... I also had no idea that Art Deco began in Paris! Interesting.
ReplyDeleteWhat impressed me was the smoothness, symmetry, and beauty of the pottery by Nampeyo. Coiling and doing pottery by hand, rather than on a wheel, is much more tedious and difficult. I remember a visiting artist coming to Tech one recent summer to show us show women in African villages did the same technique. It was so beautiful and impressive.
The take away from this chapter for me is that times change and the Art Deco style was an indicator of that shift. I am also more aware of the fact that anyone with the capability of publishing information or speaking on behalf of someone that cannot speak for themselves can fabricate stories to benefit themselves and raise the price of art.
I find it shocking that on pg. 111 they mention that even though the Cohn's were lying about the history of an artist, they were able to convince published collector and a historian at the Smithsonian to publish their lies as facts. I suppose anyone with motivation and an agenda can alter facts. How scary.
Remember at the time the Cohns were picking and promoting art they were considered the experts.
DeleteChapter 4
ReplyDelete1. I was surprised that even though the Navajo weaving technique was passed on through generations, it somehow was still changed by outsiders. Although some of the improvements of quality design and color were good changes, there's always some negative aspects with any collaboration. This was surprising to know because I though that since it was such a strong tradition it wouldn't be tainted but I guess not.
2. What impressed me is how every single piece of artwork is not purely from one place. Everything has some influence from outside countries. We don't really think about it but all crafts are either inspired by other artists, copied, or collaborated.
3. My take home is that in order to be successful in the art world one must show admiration for others' pieces. In order to make a craft one must incorporate many different inspired designs in order for it to be presentable. Nothing is new under the sun so technically all art mimics other pieces.
4. Sometimes people mainly outsiders bringing in their own ideas to an existing tradition can do more harm than good because it can taint their culture in a way. It can add a sort of uniqueness but also take away the original meaning to what the piece stood for traditionally. I've never really had any of my pieces elaborated on. I pretty much make the stories for my pieces myself. And I believe that majority of art history is marketing stories because in order to sell something or inform people on certain things a story must be told.
All art, all life is constantly changing, being influenced or reacting the rest of art/life/making
DeleteTradition is often in the process and the intent