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old dogs (was re: artist statement)

updated tue 12 sep 00

 

Diane Mead on sat 9 sep 00


Lori supports my idea that a more stringent background in other
areas--especially the sciences--makes for better artists. I never accept it
when my students claim they don't need their other studies because "I'm
going to major in art." I always reply that it sounds like a lame excuse to
be ignorant of important things. I just see needed curriculum changes if
artists are to get what they need over the long haul.

Speaking from experience in this case.
diane


>From: Lori Leary
>Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: Old Dogs (was Re: Artist Statement)
>Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2000 15:01:25 -0400
>
>Diane Mead wrote:
> >
> > This brings to mind a correlation I see.
> > The guys/ladies/everybody
> > who has somewhat of a science background (and I am not necessarily
> > saying the Physics doctorate--but a good bit of science) seem
>
> > 1. more practical, with words and energy
> > 2. more capable in art and lots of other places
> > 3. better at understanding craftsmanship
>
>Oh, I agree. And I think any previously gained experience and knowledge
>can only help one's art making. I have truly benefited from my BSN (and
>not just from the applied science courses). "Late entry artists" (as
>mel calls them) have a lot to bring to the table: maturity, previously
>gained knowledge, technical skills, empathy, self awareness, to name a
>few...
>
>Please, I am not knocking young art students, not at all. I can't speak
>regarding them because I never WAS a young art student.
>I just don't believe the saying that you can't teach an old dog new
>tricks.....
>you just build on top of the old ones.
>
>Lori
>happy to be back in school this fall....taking Drawing I and loving it.
>lleary@sccoast.net
>Pawleys Island, SC
>
>Diane Mead wrote:
> >
> > This brings to mind a correlation I see.
> > The guys/ladies/everybody
> > who has somewhat of a science background (and I am not
> > necessarily saying the Physics doctorate--but a good bit of science)
> > seem
> > 1. more practical, with words and energy
> > 2. more capable in art and lots of other places
> > 3. better at understanding craftsmanship
> >
> > Lately I have wanted to go back to school and get advanced degrees in
> > chemical engineering so I can understand some of the stuff you guys
>know. it
> > would take me dozens of years (so little science as an undergrad) and
>might
> > not benefit my work that much.
> >
> > But the pseudo-battle I saw at UGA in the 70's (science vs art)
> > has long been over for me. Part of this is having science-y friends.
>Part of
> > it is knowing potters who are practical and have to know a good chunk of
> > science to navigate their field.
> >
> > Art departments need to revamp and require painter/2-d (invisible from
>the
> > side) people like me to take a heck of a lot of science. Now that I've
> > reached middle age I don't have enough time to learn as much of it as I
> > need, but I shall hobble along.
> >
> > Especially since I can surround myself with students who do ace chem and
> > physics and calculus. Luckily I am in a position that they are willing
>and
> > able to help.
> >
> > But I still need a better science background. i'd be a better artists
>for
> > it! Craftsmanship benefits from knowing the blood and guts of it.
> >
> > diane
> >
> > >From: vince pitelka
> > >Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
> > >To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> > >Subject: Re: Artist Statement
> > >Date: Fri, 8 Sep 2000 19:29:30 -0500
> > >
> > > > The reason I listen to Clayart is due to the "artspeak" jargon that
> > >plagues
> > > > the 2-d world.
> > >
> > >Yes, the 2-d world is fraught with problems, the worst being that when
> > >people turn sideways they dissappear.
> > >
> > >
> > >OK, it was a bad joke.
> > >- Vince
> > >
> > >Vince Pitelka
> > >Home - vpitelka@dekalb.net
> > >615/597-5376
> > >Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
> > >615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
> > >Appalachian Center for Crafts
> > >Tennessee Technological University
> > >1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
> > >http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
> > >
> >
> >______________________________________________________________________________
> > >Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> > >
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> > >settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> > >
> > >Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> > >melpots@pclink.com.
> >
> >
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>______________________________________________________________________________
> > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> > You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.

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Paul Lewing on sun 10 sep 00


Diane Mead wrote:
>
> Lori supports my idea that a more stringent background in other
> areas--especially the sciences--makes for better artists. I never accept it
> when my students claim they don't need their other studies because "I'm
> going to major in art." I always reply that it sounds like a lame excuse to
> be ignorant of important things.

No kidding, Diane.
I didn't pay much attention if high school chemistry because I knew I
was going to be an artist, and no artist would need chemistry, right?

But the larger point is this: There are basically three things you can
make art about- the world, making art, or yourself.
Art about making art is pretty interseting to artists, but not very to
other people. That's why abstract expression was so ridiculed by the
public at large- they had never made art, so they didn't get it.
Making art about yourself is even more boring, usually. You have to
pretty perceptive to separate what's important to you from what would be
important to everybody else.
Art about the rest of the world is the good stuff. And since there is
nothing new under the sun, creativity lies in making new connections
between unrelated things. Well, you have to know about at least two
things to make connections. If you don't know anything about anything
but yourself and making art, you have nothing new to say.
ALL education is good, especially for artists.

Paul Lewing, Seattle

J102551@AOL.COM on mon 11 sep 00


Huzzah Paul. You said it so well. Thank you, Jeri

Numo Jaeger & Michael Miller on mon 11 sep 00


Paul,
Very interesting comments. I wonder if it is important to do all three as a
process to making art about the world.

If you don't know yourself, how can you make art about the world? If you
don't know art how can you make art about anything?
-Numo

Numo Jaeger
Studio One Art Center
Oakland CA

You wrote:
>But the larger point is this: There are basically three things you can
>make art about- the world, making art, or yourself.
>Art about making art is pretty interseting to artists, but not very to
>other people. That's why abstract expression was so ridiculed by the
>public at large- they had never made art, so they didn't get it.
>Making art about yourself is even more boring, usually. You have to
>pretty perceptive to separate what's important to you from what would be
>important to everybody else.
>Art about the rest of the world is the good stuff.