From: QueeneMUSE@aol.com
Date: Sun May 28 2000 - 16:22:04 MDT
In a message dated 5/28/2000 1:06:34 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
natasha@extropic-art.com writes:
>
> >Am I mistaken in thinking
> >that one aspect of art is communication?
>
> No, I don't think so. My work as an artist is to communicate ideas and
> feelings, reflections, concerns and joys.
>
Natasha,
That was a beautiful post. It almost brought a tear to my eye to see art
discussed in such a well educated way, but also it explained on a level that
anyone can clearly understand. You are a kind person, and a generous one, to
take the time to tell that personal and touching vignette about your dad -
which so eloquently clarifies this thread so sensitively and concisely,
I think what Rand -- and many others who do not like Pollock -- were
concerned with was "drawing ability".
Much of art is a learned language. It is a mysterious one to those whodon't
have the time (or interest) to educate themselves in the history and delights
of the discipline. Many people find that quite unnecessary, but still feel
qualified to speak on the virtues or foibles of abstract art. As well, to
find meaning in much of the work described as expressionistic or abstract, to
find meaning, one must also search the landscape of their own mind for the
significance of expression.
This does not sit well with those who like things to be immediately clear,
without having to risk. It does not sit well with people who need to have
things "proved in black and white" - which Pollock's work quite clearly is
not about. He was proving something, but you REALLY did have to look outside
the box. Frank Lloyd Wright was another genius who made people do that, and
for some reason Rand idolized him ... go figure.
What comes to mind for me is the notion that most teachers I work with (I
educate educators about art) that art is "drawing." And they say they "are
not good at art" By that they mean they lack a certain ability to make images
of real objects.
It takes weeks, sometimes months, to get them to stop referring to "drawing"
when talking about art. After teaching them about line, color, form,
vocabulary, viewing, composition, expression, genres, etc. -- something
happens and they see art as a larger picture (no pun intended ; ). They begin
to take pride in their knowledge and judgment abilities and a whole new world
opens up to them. It is delightful to see.
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