Good Art, Bad Art!!!
Larry Seiler
There has been much debate on this issue. I have a few metaphors I hope
will clear my perspective on it. We will not come to a complete
understanding though for various reasons. For those having been to the
top of the mountain, it is difficult to listen to debates and virtues
spoken about only ascending a short distance. A mind stretched cannot
return to its former dimension!
Let me preface by saying that I respect both Van Gogh and Picasso, for
prior to their experimentations visually and contemporary directions,
both had academic training and demonstrated the ability to paint
traditional works, giving them more tools that having been learned
analytically became in time intuitive and fueled their visions and
passions.
The main thing is....there is good and bad realism, good and bad
abstract..something many can admit though few will agree to determinants
yet... integrity in the work..the work demanding it, and an artist
willing to make the commitment and sacrifice to see a work completed
before aborting it seems to be the issue. The difference between a work
having a sense of excellence and one that does not, is that it carries
such personal urgings and disciplines.
A person fit to only walk 1/2 way up the mountain can think because he
has strapped on the shoes and made some effort, that he can carry on
dialog with those more experienced having many times been to the top.
It is easier for one well acquainted with all the fundamentals, the
pitfalls, the strength and endurance having a number of times been to
the top, to decide henceforth to only walk 1/2 way up the mountain for
the next few trips with the others. However, not so easy for the
partial climber to suddenly decide.."hey, think I'll go to the top!"
In essence...it is one thing to knock realism..but understand this. An
abstract painting may be an exploration of color. A "good" realistic
painter has explored color and rendered it effective by knowing the
relationships with the whole of other design elements and principles. An
abstract painting may explore line, values and balance. A "good"
realistic painter has explored those as well, and having learned a
sufficient amount of knowledge can likewise see its relationships with
the whole of the other design components to create a "good" piece.
At any time...the "good" and experienced realistic painter can much
easier contemplate a clever idea in abstract terms..eliminate several
design principles from the whole or isolate those, and create an
abstract work.
Much easier for me to fool another that I paint abstract designs, than
for an abstract painter to fool another about being a talented realist.
Thinking on and experiencing design elements habitually in terms of
fragmentation certainly would challenge the abstract painter to
successfully pull off a "good" realistic rendering. In other words, it
will take a lifetime to develop expertise to create "good" realism,
however, one coming down from the top could pull of abstracts with muc
less effort. No denying though, that it may be plain fun just exploring
a medium.
An olympic sprinter would hardly be impressed with another's jogging
program. Both run..both strap on shoes. The one can also jog, but the
other cannot olympic sprint!
It is like comparing karoke singing in a bar to Pavorotti...
Sure, we must admit both are singing, but....any attempt to comparison
is embarrassing! Of course this embarrassment is more known and obvious
to the likes of Pavorotti and those patrons of opera than the corner bar
crowd.
In a certain sense, "good" abstract art is very demanding, for lacking
the demonstration of the skills of higher art, greater emphasis must be
on the "cleverness" of the idea...or the nobleness of the statement's
"cause!"
But please...it seems ludicrous to keep beating this dead horse. You
can't compare the skill of flinging a rubber band across the room to
olympic marksmanship! I'm willing to call those that create abstract
work artists..much the same way I'm willing to call weekend warriors
that climb 1/2 up mountains...mountain climbers!
I guess I would feel more comfortable calling abstract arts people
"visual idea implementers" or "design manipulators" or "clever idea
manufacturers".
In all honesty...there is one abstract genre that has been for me very
compelling. In fact, it struck a chord in me to produce a few abstract
works as well. It is a summer music festival in Illinois and has a tent
for artists to bring submissions. The work is of a "spiritual" nature
and deals with deep issues of humanity. The collection of works IS for
me moving....and many "clever" and "insightful" works. Yes some "good"
abstract work successfully representing fragment elements of design.
Again....not denying there are "good" contemporary pieces, and sometimes
the "insightfulness" is so compelling and noteworthy that it stirs
emotions and arouses applause.
Yet...it is hard for those that ONLY climb 1/2 way up the mountain to
understand the hang-up of those with peak experience. If you haven't
been to the top however, there is much you have not yet seen....and
isn't seeing, "really seeing" what aesthetics in its highest form calls
us to do?
Does that mean we should negate the right of people to experiment with
paint, sculpture..or what ever if their aspirations are not to take it
to the higher levels? By no means...everyone should enjoy and
participate. Have fun.
I like to golf....but heh, I recognize I'm no pro nor will I ever be!
Larry
Larry Seiler
however, one coming down from the top could pull off abstracts with much
less effort. No denying though, that it may be plain fun just exploring
a medium.
An olympic sprinter would hardly be impressed with another's jogging
program. Both run..both strap on shoes. The one can also jog, but the
other cannot olympic sprint!
It is like comparing karoke singing in a bar to Pavorotti...
Sure, we must admit both are singing, but....any attempt to comparison
is embarrassing! Of course this embarrassment is more known and obvious
to the likes of Pavorotti and those patrons of opera than the corner bar
crowd.
In a certain sense, "good" abstract art is very demanding, for lacking
the demonstration of the skills of higher art, greater emphasis must be
on the "cleverness" of the idea...or the nobleness of the statement's
"cause!"
But please...it seems ludicrous to keep beating this dead horse. You
can't compare the skill of flinging a rubber band across the room to
olympic marksmanship! I'm willing to call those that create abstract
work artists, but can't help view many the same way I'm willing to call
weekend warriors that climb 1/2 up mountains...mountain climbers!
I guess I would feel more comfortable calling abstract arts people
"visual idea implementers" or "design manipulators" or "clever idea
manufacturers".
In all honesty...there is one abstract genre that has been for me very
compelling. In fact, it struck a chord in me to produce a few abstract
works as well. It is a summer music festival in Illinois and has a tent
for artists to bring submissions. The work is of a "spiritual" nature
and deals with deep issues of humanity. The collection of works IS for
me moving....and many "clever" and "insightful" works. Yes some "good"
abstract work successfully representing fragment elements of design.
Again....not denying that I have seen "good" contemporary pieces, and
Larry Seiler
I have received a number of private posts, generally warning me about
some good abstract art out there. I have admitted such in the past, but
thought it would benefit understanding to add a sub-post attached to my
main statement here. Larry
As you should all recall in my previous main post, and if you've read
past posts of mine, I have defended "good" abstract art, and bring into
mind the artist's command of a knowledgeble use of composition and
design, which when focusing on less elements that make up the whole of
"realism".. really demands more intensity and demonstration of such
knowledge.
As you know, and as I've said, there are "bad" realistic works of art.
Probably more so, because the public is more attuned to recognize poor
rendering and a poor eye. The public is more at mercy not trained to
recognize the design elements of art, and therefore cannot appreciate
really to any great degree most abstract art. Really, abstract art is
an "artist's art"....and it takes another artist to recognize the
cleverness or genius of the work.
Just as there are bad realistic pieces, their are many hoaxes in
abstract art, done purely as an egocentric method to garnish attention
and easy/quick credibility. I believe such "head-trip" artists have
done much to discredit abstract art.
Still....I will stand by my argument that it is easier for a realist
whom is a good realist, that has an expertise on all the design elements
pulling them together frequently to encompass a whole...to decide upon a
"creative-whim" to do an abstract piece convincingly...than an abstract
artist to suddenly decide, "I will do a great piece of realism!" The
abstract artist will no doubt do a mediocre or poor piece of
realism...and after 120 such paintings may start doing good ones. That
was my point...because there is constant argument about skill and talent
around here.
I am concerned as an artist/art teacher, whom finds a school district to
work in, then is off, then on, then off again..because the public
understanding has been so marred by "bad" art, that they see little
redeeming value hiring full time art teachers or keeping and paying for
experience. In the public tax payer's eye, even the teaching of "poor"
realism would at least indicate something that is "back to basics"
The way the art world is responding is to change the emphasis from a
production minded program, and focus on art as a tool or mechanism to
create the social adhesiveness to assure the future of a global village
by propagandizing multiculuturalism. It is the postmodern way.
We've gone from not knowing how to tell if art is good or bad, and
giving all students high grades just for the trying, to second guessing
even one's own interest in art as a construct of personal enculturation.
Discipline Based Art Education. It has its good points...it also has
its global agenda.
Larry
Cdeiner
you become more lucid larry with each post carry on!
clif