Although clay and glass are still strong, wood expands into an unique art form which in many ways represents the growing gap between function and material object. The techniques and craftsmanship of a piece is still valued but there is a shift away from simple function to almost function or maybe no function. As you read think about this change in purpose. Think about how you view art and craft or the art of craft, and how these pieces/ the attitudes they represent influence your teaching.
For your extra question share your favorite style of furniture.
Chapter 7:
ReplyDeleteSurprised: It took me by surprised when I learned that teachers back then also didn’t have time to create their own works like Randall and Rhodes. That resonated with me. My how I, and I’m sure some of you, can relate. But it just shows how invested we are to our kids. Especially now, with the time of the year being so busy, I haven’t had a chance to create any work. Even at work! I usually like to join my students in the assignment I have given them and work on something of my own so they can see the progress as I go…but I just haven’t had time. So far I’m three projects behind that I did not have time to join them in. Oh how I miss drawing, or printmaking, or even throwing! It’s just the time of year…hopefully towards the last week of school I’ll be able to at least get back on the wheel.
Impressed: I was impressed by the artistic passion and motivation that the MacKenzies had. I loved that even after being denied the first time by Leach, and spending their money, they insisted to stay on and learn from afar. They learned about production pottery but loved how they returned to Minnesota and created their own business but kept it “small” and close to customers and those wanting to learn. They really showed their passion for what they loved and shared it with the world and I think that’s something I also TOOK AWAY from the reading.
I used to stress out over pricing my artwork. Not that I don’t anymore, I just don’t produce as much as I used to. I started with photography as my medium so I started free lancing. A lot of people that knew me, knew how much time I spent and passion that went into my work, would tell me that I’m not charging enough. I think I finally had reached a price that I felt comfortable giving. Like Keisha mentioned, I make art because I want to make it, I enjoy photographing, I enjoy making pottery or drawing, I never started it to make money from it…I just learned that I could. I still every now and then will do free photo shoots when I feel inspired and want to try something.
Selling art and everything that goes along with that activity has always been a mystery to me. I make art because like you I have to make art. After the work is done I will "like" it but have already moved on to the next series. So my value scale in based on my interest not my finances. Not a good business practice.
DeleteLATE POST Chapter 9:
ReplyDeleteSurprised: I was surprised how Voulkos didn’t want to become a source of knowledge for other growing potters. He tried to perceive this idea that he didn’t know anything and even dislike clay, just so that he won't get the attention. I can relate to him to an extent, just wanting to feel free and create because you want to and not because you have to.
Take Away: my take away from this chapter is how crafts artist needed to learn to become professions. Craftspeople are necessary to understand marketing, presentation, and business practices. This is very common in today's society with the artist not knowing how to price or advertise there work. Art is already unappreciated and devalue, so their needs to be a class, program, or book on helping new coming artist value their work more than what they give credit to themselves
Impressed: I was impressed with Robert Arneson’s work. I have read about him before and have also been a fan of his work. Not only is it figurative sculptures, which I enjoy, but also because his work carries his unique voice throughout his work.
Extra Question:
1.) Finding an artist that I do not consider to be art, was harder for me than I thought. I believe anybody that creates to be an artist because everyone is different in their way and that’s what makes us an artist. Now if I just had to pick one, I guess I would go with more art genre happening. To me, it doesn’t make sense, and it is tough for me to grasp the concept of happening artist/artwork. Only from my understanding of happening art, it is performance base with sending a message to a specific crowd. Is this the same as Activist artist?
2.) For the second question, did you know that Jackson Pollock had a younger brother who also did abstract painting?! I had no clue! But why was he never talked about in our history book, and how did Jackson take all the fame?
Happenings were and are non scripted performances. I think they were designed to try and have the public experience the actual moment of creation even when in most cases it would be the moment of destruction. And it was free wheeling. No rules, no standards. A strike against the white walled museums.
DeleteWEEK 10
ReplyDeleteSurprised: Tim Harding work is based on exploring the vulnerability of fibers and textiles. He also is interested in the connection between modern painting and ethnographic artifacts. Harding’s work investigates fiber as a medium, which has been traditionally outside Western culture’s hierarchy of fine art and suggests that textile arts should be considered concerning their beauty and function. Like I’ve said before I was never interested in fiber until Tim Harding. I am already planning a fibers project for next year and incorporating Harding Kimono.
Take Away: My take away from this chapter was Pierre Degen’s Mindset on creating art. As an artist, Degen made up his own rules in art and didn’t care what the public had to say about him
Impressed: I was impressed with the collector’s group, and how it became more than just a solitary pursuit. These artists have grown together and become more than friends. This is why it is important to be apart of an organization like art club (or any specific medium club) to learn and grow from others. I enjoyed how the artist travel to each member’s houses and studio to get a sense of how the artists was brought up and how they impact their work.
Extra Question: my favorite chair is the rocking chair! There is nothing a lot of satisfying than sitting in an ideal rocking chair. Rocking chairs offer a unique back and forth motion that enables any individual seated on that to rest and relax. They supply a feeling of comfort that naturally cannot be found in the other type of chair. It’d be hard to seek out somebody who wouldn't wish one in their room
I totally agree about the rocking chair! I can't wait to relax one day on the wrap around porch of my house, by the river (all imaginary at this point, of course....unfortunately...) and rock myself to sleep, listening to the birds and the water bubbling...
DeleteMaybe some of the artists in this class, in your degree will become a kind of collective for you.
DeleteChapter 10
ReplyDelete1. I was surprised at the fact that the most important critical development in clay variations was the establishment of American Ceramics. It was a book that gave analytical consideration to more and more clay exhibitions. This was surprising because all of this was started by a book.
2. Something thay impressed me was a how Americans used different glass techniques in the 70s and introduced decorative souvenirs, paperweights, and lab equipment. I was impressed that Americans lead this movement and how Burton was self taught and Kazium revived the making of paperweights.
3. The take home for this chapter for me is that the 70s and the 80s mark a time when crafts started to become more and more commercialized especially where it started in Chicago. Crafts was starting to spread through more and more magazines books and even conferences. This is amazing to see how the crafts were growing in popularity around this time.
4. My favorite type of furniture is traditional and modern. I love traditional styled furniture because it just reminds me of the past during the time of kings and queens. It just looks like royalty. And modern furniture just looks futuristic sometimes and I love a clean look in a living room.
I think another aspect is during this time there was more writing about art/craft and thus more judgement and division.
DeleteWhat surprised me was the transition from wooden furniture being functional to more abstract and decorative by some of the artists. At what point to you no longer call it furniture though? When does it simply become and piece of non-functional art?
ReplyDeleteWhat impressed me was the skill level of the glass artists. I have seen Bob and his students working in the studio at Tech. They always impress me. I don't know how they can blow something into the beautiful vessels that they do. As I look at the artworks in this section of the book and visualize what the Tech students do, I can't fathom how some of these artists manage the details, colors, and forms that they do.
My take away was that there was a art was getting a very geometric abstraction to it. It has been interesting to see, throughout this book, the visual transitions that occurred. It is also evident that the flashiness of artwork was increasing and that photographic quality was important at this moment in time.
My favorite chair type would be a rocking chair for the meditation, comfort, and rhythm of it and my favorite decorative style would have to be baroque or art nouveau for the delicateness of it.
I agree, having spent hours watching glass over the years, the works in this book come alive.
Delete