And I'm an artist? Thoughts before opening night.
Hello everybody!
I will start with a good ol' Merriam-Webster definition:
a : the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects; also : works so produced
A few months ago I got together with an awesome young lady who, by now, I can call my friend. She has recently opened a hair salon and with it wants to unite her two passions - beauty and art. She literally provides a "white wall", lots of space for artists to exhibit their work. I am honored to say that I'm the first one of these artists.
This brings me right to the point. Besides the excitement of organizing the exhibition as well as the opening night, my mind has been busy with one thought: DO I CALL MY WORK ART? I'm the "artist" there, my "art" will be on display. People come to see "art". Is it good enough (or "art enough") to be exhibited and be the main drawing point for an event?
Did you notice the quotation marks?
I did do exhibitions in the past. Small ones, but nevertheless. However, I have never encountered this much doubt. Maybe this is inherent in artists. Maybe it is because, after years of assignment and stock work, I'm starting to branch out and explore new areas of photography. Maybe it is because I'm older now and a lot more critical about my work.
Almost anything new is scary, especially when it comes to art. You put yourself out there for people to judge and this is simply...scary. One starts doubting every aspect of their work - the idea behind it, the technique, their own taste.
On the other hand, art means freedom to express oneself and try new things which is a wonderful aspect of what I'm doing. It is liberating and brave. Or so I tell myself ;)
The facts are - everybody has a different definition of art. Everybody has a unique taste. Some like what you do, some hate it. Some find it to be the greatest things since sliced bread, some think you're a poser and just plain crazy. Deal with it!
Nowadays, we are surrounded by art everywhere and the standards are high. One of the biggest challenges for most artists is to produce something earth-shattering. Right? Wrong! At least, in my opinion. I see great art all the time, beautifully executed techniques and ideas. And even though these pieces of art might never get the chance to start a revolution, or even a new philosophic movement, or a worldwide craze (we are thinking Warhol, Lichtenstein, Banksy and the like), they are still art. Big art into which some very gifted person put a lot of skill and thought. Maybe I'm old-fashioned but I will still never forget this one visit to New York's MoMa. Why? Because there was this plain white, big canvas with this little red dot in the center of it. People were standing in front of it, mouths wide open with awe, and it was art. Art. ART? I don't recall the artist of this genious red dot but I do remember thinking that I will never be able to see the art in it. Maybe I just don't get it, or maybe, only maybe, the world's definition of art is somehow really and seriously screwed up.
I will end my little collection of thoughts on art (and the doubt that comes with it) with a few simple and inspiring quotes for you to contemplate.....and with the wish to survive my opening night next week without falling into an artistic, or non-artisitc, or quasi-artisitc crisis. But I don't think so! Because everything is art.
♥ Sabine
________________________________________________________________________________________
I will start with a good ol' Merriam-Webster definition:
a : the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects; also : works so produced
A few months ago I got together with an awesome young lady who, by now, I can call my friend. She has recently opened a hair salon and with it wants to unite her two passions - beauty and art. She literally provides a "white wall", lots of space for artists to exhibit their work. I am honored to say that I'm the first one of these artists.
This brings me right to the point. Besides the excitement of organizing the exhibition as well as the opening night, my mind has been busy with one thought: DO I CALL MY WORK ART? I'm the "artist" there, my "art" will be on display. People come to see "art". Is it good enough (or "art enough") to be exhibited and be the main drawing point for an event?
Did you notice the quotation marks?
I did do exhibitions in the past. Small ones, but nevertheless. However, I have never encountered this much doubt. Maybe this is inherent in artists. Maybe it is because, after years of assignment and stock work, I'm starting to branch out and explore new areas of photography. Maybe it is because I'm older now and a lot more critical about my work.
Almost anything new is scary, especially when it comes to art. You put yourself out there for people to judge and this is simply...scary. One starts doubting every aspect of their work - the idea behind it, the technique, their own taste.
On the other hand, art means freedom to express oneself and try new things which is a wonderful aspect of what I'm doing. It is liberating and brave. Or so I tell myself ;)
The facts are - everybody has a different definition of art. Everybody has a unique taste. Some like what you do, some hate it. Some find it to be the greatest things since sliced bread, some think you're a poser and just plain crazy. Deal with it!
Nowadays, we are surrounded by art everywhere and the standards are high. One of the biggest challenges for most artists is to produce something earth-shattering. Right? Wrong! At least, in my opinion. I see great art all the time, beautifully executed techniques and ideas. And even though these pieces of art might never get the chance to start a revolution, or even a new philosophic movement, or a worldwide craze (we are thinking Warhol, Lichtenstein, Banksy and the like), they are still art. Big art into which some very gifted person put a lot of skill and thought. Maybe I'm old-fashioned but I will still never forget this one visit to New York's MoMa. Why? Because there was this plain white, big canvas with this little red dot in the center of it. People were standing in front of it, mouths wide open with awe, and it was art. Art. ART? I don't recall the artist of this genious red dot but I do remember thinking that I will never be able to see the art in it. Maybe I just don't get it, or maybe, only maybe, the world's definition of art is somehow really and seriously screwed up.
I will end my little collection of thoughts on art (and the doubt that comes with it) with a few simple and inspiring quotes for you to contemplate.....and with the wish to survive my opening night next week without falling into an artistic, or non-artisitc, or quasi-artisitc crisis. But I don't think so! Because everything is art.
♥ Sabine
________________________________________________________________________________________