An interesting art experience (possible worms?)
Rae
the little downtown galleries are open, usually featuring new exhibits
and live music. A nice evening out, and it's becoming a very popular
event.
Last night I attended with a friend. In one gallery we saw some
interesting oil abstracts. Pure abstract is not necessarily my
favorite style, but we really enjoyed these. The use of color was
fantastic, the brushwork confident, and we were seeing all types of
'hidden' imagery.
The gallery was quite small, and extremely crowded. So I wasn't able
to catch a glimpse of the exhibit title or artist's name before we
started looking at the works (also the signatures were indistinct and
I'd accidently left my guide at home). So it wasn't until we were
leaving that I realized we'd just viewed the work of a local artist
who's creating quite a stir in the art world!
And that would be because the artist, Marla, is six years old (the
exhibit was from her "five" period).
The argument is that at her age, Marla cannot possibly have the
experience or context to create 'meaningful' work. Having seen the
exhibit without knowing who the artist was, however, allowed me to
view it with no preconceived notions. And I have to say, these were
no childish dribbles. It was rich, textured work and if I could
afford one I would buy it!
Besides, just as a supposition, isn't it often the *viewer* who brings
experience and context to art? Is art, like beauty, held mostly in
the eyes of the beholder?
Any opinions?
Rae
denaldo
<snip>
> The argument is that at her age, Marla cannot possibly have the
> experience or context to create 'meaningful' work. Having seen the
> exhibit without knowing who the artist was, however, allowed me to
> view it with no preconceived notions. And I have to say, these were
> no childish dribbles. It was rich, textured work and if I could
> afford one I would buy it!
>
> Besides, just as a supposition, isn't it often the *viewer* who brings
> experience and context to art? Is art, like beauty, held mostly in
> the eyes of the beholder?
>
> Any opinions?
>
> Rae
>
In general, I find art to be like something sold on e-Bay, in that
its value corresponds to whatever someone is willing to pay for it.
That takes care of its monetary worth, but as for its artistic
worth?. I assume that those trained in art _may_ have some reason
to value the aesthetics of one artwork over another. I personally
can only speak for what I like. Far be it from me to say
popular taste is the only criteria. I don't think everyone needs
a picture of a cute puppy with large eyes in front of waves
crashing on a beach. But for abstract paintings I have no
objective criteria to go by and and just form an opinion based
on first impression. I think many folk fall into this
category, and are suspicious of 'art experts'; hence the
universal amusement over the painting that is displayed in
the museum for several weeks... upside down.
Hard to form an opinion without having seen the art, so I'll just
propose a question in return. To what extent was your favorable
opinion of the artwork based on an expectation of quality
you may have gotten from viewing other artist's work at your
weekend shows? Personally I'm sceptical of such a young
person having the emotional capability to create 'great'
art, though not necessarily the talent. And I am impressed
that you came to your evaluation with no prejudice due to the
'blind' nature of your viewing (i.e. not knowing the artist).
(Interesting topic for discussion, btw)
--
"Use what talent you possess: the woods would be very silent if
no birds sang except those that sang best". — Henry Van Dyke
Send POINTless replies to den...@ePOInTv1.net
Rae
"denaldo" <den...@ePOINTv1.net> wrote in message
news:11faj0l...@corp.supernews.com...
It's certainly been making me think! When I first heard about Marla I was a
little skeptical. I thought the paintings might be interesting...but not a
whole lot more than that. Then I forgot about it, just taking it as another
'light news' item of the day. And, unfortunately, paintings just do not
reproduce well, so the newspaper pictures didn't impress me much.
(aside: one of the most intense experiences of my life was my first trip to
the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. I had studied and appreciated many of
these works but nothing could prepare me for the sheer *presence* of
paintings like VanGogh's "Starry Night" or Wyeth's "Christina's World". To
use the phrase of the times...it just blew my mind. I urge anyone who
*ever* has the chance, to see paintings in person. It is a completely
different experience.)
Anyway, it wasn't until I saw Marla's stuff in person that I realized just
how good it was. I found a website at http://www.marlaolmstead.com but
please be aware that the paintings are far more vivid in real life.
Another thought I had was that we wouldn't doubt a musical child prodigy.
And we wouldn't doubt a math prodigy, or even a child with more traditional
drawing talent. I guess that it's so much harder with this artist because
abstract art is in itself so hard to evaluate. As you point out, it's all
in how it strikes you. Marla's paintings just reached out and grabbed us.
Everyone in the gallery was reacting positively too, so I don't think it's
*just* me (grin).
Rae
smallish furry black dragon
"Rae" <dyy...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:ocfJe.940$rY.359@trndny03...
>> Send POINTless replies to den...@ePOInTv1.net
>
>
WOW I think I need a drink
Lynn allen
> Another thought I had was that we wouldn't doubt a musical child prodigy.
> And we wouldn't doubt a math prodigy, or even a child with more traditional
> drawing talent. I guess that it's so much harder with this artist because
> abstract art is in itself so hard to evaluate. As you point out, it's all
> in how it strikes you. Marla's paintings just reached out and grabbed us.
> Everyone in the gallery was reacting positively too, so I don't think it's
> *just* me (grin).
Often with child prodigies in the performing arts, critics *do* insist
that the child, while technically brilliant, isn't capable of producing
"nuanced" performances in the same way an adult may bring adult emotions
into their performance.
Is this true? I'm not a talented enough listener to really determine.
Sometimes I suspect jealousy and sour grapes from the critics.
However, I see nothing unusual in finding a child who has an
instinctive, untaught genius for form, color and composition, and who
can use it, given the right tools, to create art that communicates her
vision of the world. Abstracts don't require the same kind of fine
muscle control that playing a piano or violin do, or painting realistic
art, and so are physically within the capabilities of a young child. Her
body is *able* to achieve her vision.
Imagine...maybe those abstracts ARE the way the world looks to a
five-year-old...and we've all just forgotten. The little girl's talent
is to reproduce what *she* sees...not what she's told by adults the
world looks like. (you know, houses with roofs and windows, grass goes
under the trees, not over, no cows aren't purple) It's somewhat unusual
that she works in abstracts, usually young children are focused on
specifics. It shows either unusual strength on her part, or unusual
support and encouragement from the adults around her.
So why shouldn't receptive adults be affected by her work? We can
simply hope that as she matures, she can retain her vision and continue
to make that communicative connection with her viewers.
For some reasons, math geniuses generally produce their best original
work in teens & 20s, and rarely later, so I'm not sure that's a fair
comparison.
I congratulate the person who put the real paintbrushes and real paint
into her hands.
Lymaree
Peter Eng
>
> Last night I attended with a friend. In one gallery we saw some
> interesting oil abstracts. Pure abstract is not necessarily my
> favorite style, but we really enjoyed these. The use of color was
> fantastic, the brushwork confident, and we were seeing all types of
> 'hidden' imagery.
>
> experience or context to create 'meaningful' work.
>
My opinion: Abstract art can have any imagery or no imagery, depending on
the observer. Experience and context have less to do with it than in other
styles of painting.
Peter Eng
Tim Merrigan
The look to me like if my kid had done them I'd be proud to hang them on
the refrigerator, but I don't think I'd want them framed in the drawing
room.
--
I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America,
and to the republic which it established, one nation, from many peoples,
promising liberty and justice for all.
Feel free to use the above variant pledge in your own postings.
Tim Merrigan
Tim Merrigan
OTOH if there are people out there willing to pay big bucks, I
congratulate her agent.
The TheatrElf
news:coaaf19nfgstptdub...@4ax.com:
> The argument is that at her age, Marla cannot possibly have the
> experience or context to create 'meaningful' work. Having seen the
> exhibit without knowing who the artist was, however, allowed me to
> view it with no preconceived notions. And I have to say, these were
> no childish dribbles. It was rich, textured work and if I could
> afford one I would buy it!
>
> Besides, just as a supposition, isn't it often the *viewer* who brings
> experience and context to art? Is art, like beauty, held mostly in
> the eyes of the beholder?
It isnt' art if it doesn't evoke an emotional response from the view.
Thos who argue that Marla isn't creating "meaningful work" apparently
have no skills or background as an artist: the most important thing an
artist learns is how to strip away all the preconceptions we've learned
so we can see the world with the eyes of a child. To experience the
world with an openness most of us have lost.
--
}:-) Christopher Jahn
{:-( http://home.comcast.net/~xjahn/Main.html
Ummm.... Uhhhh.... Uggggg... I rule and you don't.
Wesley Struebing
wrote:
I'm seriously not sure whether I could recognize good art if it came
up and bit me. I mean, there are pieces that move me, but I couldn't
point a finger and say, "That's why", nor can I point to something
that doesn't and say "here's why not". At least with opera or ballet,
I can appreciate good/great performances, even while disliking the
medium.
Art, for some reason, I just can't connect with.
--
Wes Struebing
I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America,
and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples,
Feather
Feather happily salutes Rae and offers a BOYC for bringing up a
subject dear to her heart; Ars. She merrily *pokes* the Bean Counter
into awareness. ( :P )
"Rae, indeed, what you have said is experienced by many. But I have to
say that Ars is wrought. The perception of it adds to the beauty."
Terry
-<<<<<+
Fax Paladin
>> on the refrigerator, but I don't think I'd want them framed in the
>> drawing room.
>>
>
> OTOH if there are people out there willing to pay big bucks, I
> congratulate her agent.
...am I the only one who's a bit creeped out by the professional Flash
website. Forget for the moment whether she's mature enough to be a true
artist -- is she mature enough to consent to being marketed like this?
(Hearing Carla Ulbrich's "Boy Wonder" in my head at the moment...)
Fax
--
a"} HAVE PUN, WILL TRAVEL |The Texas Filk Page
/_\ Fax Paladin, Waco |http://www.texasfilk.org
--------------------------
"It'll all work out." "HOW?!"
"I don't know -- it's a mystery."
Stoppard & Norman, "Shakespeare in Love"
Bean Counter
> On Sat, 6 Aug 2005 23:44:13 -0700, "Peter Eng" <dorn...@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>>"Rae" <dyy...@verizon.net> wrote in message
>>news:coaaf19nfgstptdub...@4ax.com...
>>>
>>> Last night I attended with a friend. In one gallery we saw some
>>> interesting oil abstracts. Pure abstract is not necessarily my
>>> favorite style, but we really enjoyed these. The use of color was
>>> fantastic, the brushwork confident, and we were seeing all types of
>>> 'hidden' imagery.
>>>
>>> The argument is that at her age, Marla cannot possibly have the
>>> experience or context to create 'meaningful' work.
>>>
>>>
>>My opinion: Abstract art can have any imagery or no imagery, depending
>>on the observer. Experience and context have less to do with it than in
>>other styles of painting.
>>
> I'm seriously not sure whether I could recognize good art if it came up
> and bit me. I mean, there are pieces that move me, but I couldn't point a
> finger and say, "That's why", nor can I point to something that doesn't
> and say "here's why not". At least with opera or ballet, I can appreciate
> good/great performances, even while disliking the medium.
>
> Art, for some reason, I just can't connect with.
ISTM the challenge you face is verbalising an essentially subjective
experience: you respond to some forms of art in different ways than you do
to more performance-centred forms. Perhaps the performance is easier to
asses consciously?
It also seems to me that the whole notion of "good" art is fallacious, at
least as currently understood. Elements such as brush technique are fairly
easy to judge on their own, but going much beyond that seems to imply that
there is some Ideal Art, against which the usually self-appointed critics
are competent to measure works. I submit that such an Ideal is in much the
same realm as the spiritual: one's experience can *only* be intimately
personal, if it is to approach the numinous. Once it is shared, one losed
that dimension of experience. The discussion then becomes one of how to do
Art, which seems to me to be a little silly, no less so than discussions
of how to worship.
I'll just get down off this soapbox, no doubt relieving Mrs Eider, and go
back t my corner now.
Colin
--
Everything secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing
is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity.
-Lord Acton, historian (1834-1902)
Wesley Struebing
Perhaps, perhaps (the graybeard muses). I know I'm NOT gonna get into
the "I don't know art, but I know what I like!" (for one thing, I
don't know what I like...<G>)
Tim Merrigan
As long as her agents are dealing honestly with her money, so it's there
in 12 years, when she won't need agents to legally handle it for her,
and she is approving what she can now, I don't see any ethical problems.
Just so she doesn't end up like Gary Coleman or Jacky Coggan.
Rae
"Fax Paladin" <fax...@swbell.net> wrote in message
news:SIFJe.239$Zh2...@newssvr17.news.prodigy.com...
> Sorry, having an arthritic flare, and couldn't get to the place for a few
> days. I *did* feel a little bit uncomfortable when I saw the webpage.
> Another thing that I was unaware of when I saw the artwork. But I
> remember our newspaper reporting that Marla's parents are pretty good,
> keeping everything for her education etc...
Rae
Tim Merrigan
Um, I didn't write anything in this post (not even my name since it's
put in by the reader). Please people be a bit more careful with
attributions when trimming.