Vince Pitelka on wed 3 mar 99
>And it works both ways too... Even though I am a Southern-born American, I
>think those Folk-art southern Face Jugs are flat out *UGLY* and not only
>would I not have one, but I even turn my head in horror when I see them at
>shows...I can't bring myself to look at them, they invoke that much emotion
>in me.
John -
I am so sad for you. Don't get me wrong. I fully support the fact that you
have strong opinions, and that you express them openly. But I spent quite a
few years teaching art appreciation, and the first credo is "Appreciating
art has little to do with whether or not you LIKE it." That is intially
hard for some people to comprehend. My guiding principle through many years
of observing and appreciating art has been to seek understanding
specifically when I feel repelled by something. With a little understanding
of the context and culture of a thing's creation, the level of appreciation
soars. There's a whole lot of stuff out there I would not want in my house,
but I love seeing it and learning about, because I am fascinated by the
circumstances of artistic creation.
You might want to do some research into face jugs and the Spouthern potters
who created them. It is of course perfectly OK if you still think they are
butt-ugly, but at least you will not become nauseous in their presence.
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
Home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Jeremy M. Hellman on thu 4 mar 99
Vince and all,
Actually the academic study of art these days seems to be called Art
History rather than Art Appreciation. Even 2 year programs seem to offer
at least one course in Art History. However I agree that you don't have
to like something to understand its place in the history of art (even the
contemporary history of art) and to appreciate its significance and
meaning, if any.
Having majored in Art History in a former life, there was a lot of art I
thought I hated before I studied it in its historical context. Now I not
only appreciate the redeeming qualities and why it is worth studying, and
how it was influential on later artists, but I've come to like a lot of
things I never thought I would like. But I still have my personal
favorites.....
Bonnie
Bonnie Hellman in Pittsburgh, PA
>Subject: Re: Japan/Southern U.S. Face Jugs
>Sent: 3/7/19 12:15 AM
>Received: 3/3/99 9:13 PM
>From: Vince Pitelka, vpitelka@Dekalb.Net
>Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List, CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
>To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
>
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>And it works both ways too... Even though I am a Southern-born American, I
>>think those Folk-art southern Face Jugs are flat out *UGLY* and not only
>>would I not have one, but I even turn my head in horror when I see them at
>>shows...I can't bring myself to look at them, they invoke that much emotion
>>in me.
>
>John -
>I am so sad for you. Don't get me wrong. I fully support the fact that you
>have strong opinions, and that you express them openly. But I spent quite a
>few years teaching art appreciation, and the first credo is "Appreciating
>art has little to do with whether or not you LIKE it." That is intially
>hard for some people to comprehend. My guiding principle through many years
>of observing and appreciating art has been to seek understanding
>specifically when I feel repelled by something. With a little understanding
>of the context and culture of a thing's creation, the level of appreciation
>soars. There's a whole lot of stuff out there I would not want in my house,
>but I love seeing it and learning about, because I am fascinated by the
>circumstances of artistic creation.
>
>You might want to do some research into face jugs and the Spouthern potters
>who created them. It is of course perfectly OK if you still think they are
>butt-ugly, but at least you will not become nauseous in their presence.
>Best wishes -
>- Vince
>
>Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
>Home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801, fax 615/597-6803
>Appalachian Center for Crafts
>Tennessee Technological University
>1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
"Outside a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside a dog, it's too
dark to read" Groucho Marx
" " Harpo Marx
"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana" Att. to GM
"You can tune a piano but you cant tune a fish" Old Proverb
"By the time they had diminished from 50 to 8, the other dwarves
began to suspect 'Hungry' ..." -- Gary Larson, "The Far Side"
| |
|
