Post #466577 by Babalu on Thu, Jul 2, 2009 11:25 PM

On 2009-07-02 16:05, MadDogMike wrote:

I've never taken an Art History class

Brudda Mike, you should...also maybe an art appreciation course, if you can find a good one. There are so "many" doors that are going to open for you and many others here with a little art research. Art tells us who we were, it defines who we are, it helps us get to where we are going...I try my best to live every moment of every day in Art. Art = Life for me.

Little Lost Tiki said earlier on in this thread that defining, and/or defending a position, etc. on the Art vs Craft topic is a monumental undertaking that takes a huge amount time. He is sooo right. This is what has kept me from posting my views here. As much as I have wanted to, I just haven't had the time to dive into this mondo topic.

As a student of the visual arts, this Art vs Craft question is one of the first questions posed to us, and it is one of the last questions still on the table when we leave our educational arenas. In the end, I personally have had to blaze my own trail with my thoughts on this matter, and I have made damn sure to leave open a door to which I can change my mind if I choose.

Good art to me reads like a book. When I can look at a work and it captures my thoughts...when it takes me in a direction that is beyond it's mere existence...good art for me almost seems to breathe it says so much. I can go on and on about this, but not tonight...I "have" to get back in my studio and the deadlines I have made for myself.

I would like to say a couple of words, however, about this Revival of ours for which I am so fascinated by...

Basically I see a new movement whose foundation is based on imitating, imitation...with that, throw in Escapism ,booze and a boiling pot of different cultures and changing ideas, and you got a home run. It's a very exciting time right now! What used to be considered kitchy - the give away cheap mugs, the restaurant/bar decor has now gotten to be very collectible. With this, the caliber of the craft from artists has gotten better...we have moved more from Kitch to more of a "Camp" mentality (some of you may have to look that up :) ).

Anyway, I will try to dive more into this later, but really, I have castings to clean right now...laters...we have lots of time and space to play thanks to TC.

"Speaking on Time and Space...Time was invented so that we can change our minds...Space was invented so that we can dance!"