Thursday, February 11, 2010
Elliott
How do you expect people to look at art and not judge it? It's in human nature to judge things and everyone wants to be a critic so no one is really seeing the piece for what it is until it has been explained. I also think it is impossible to separate past experiences from the senses because it is the job of the senses to jog the memory. About your piece, what are you trying to portray with this piece?
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Elliott, There you are with your questions---GREAT! Thanks! Your questions are very good ones. Well, to begin------"it" is a discipline. Now you know for sure that you do will yourself not to judge in certain other circumstances outside the realm of art: for example regarding race, sexual preference, religion, cultural background and so forth. You are an educated and sensitive man. No doubt, you are enlightened to some degree. Generally speaking, as I alluded to in the paper, humans react ( judge ) out of fear. JUST BREATH, step back, take your time, no need to rush to judgement, the art work will still be around when you have time for another look. You don't really need an explanation. Art is actually very simple, basic and, therefore, profound. Give it time: enjoy not knowing, not being sure. Let it cook. Always look with a sympathetic attitude. I think in human endeavors the word is "compassion." Care enough not to judge---Let your critique grow gradually by paying attention to your senses, observations----remember the lunch exercise? When in doubt decide later. Instant judgement is too often a control device and the need to confirm the self against the other. You are right, it may be impossible to separate out past experience from the mind/the senses, but the potential-----the possibility of learning/understanding/growth is in the trying. A little effort will take you places you might never have imagined. About my piece..............I am especially interested/amazed by our ability to be in two or more places at once. We are physical beings bound by gravity and the sensual world, but at the exact same time----EXACT/ SIMULTANEOUS----we are of the spiritual realm, capable of vast limitless stretches of the mind/imagination----stuff and not stuff. I wrote about a recent piece entitled SkyWell Falls this way: " It combines my favorite elements--sensual, physical structure, pure retinal enticement and the illusion of infinite imaginary space. It is of the material world of gravity, yet simultaneously exists as a revelation of the mind's ability to transcend all boundaries." Elliott, I bet that if you just quietly ( quieting the mind-not thinking too much) spent some time looking at my piece in the faculty show you would come up with what I just explained. How much time are you willing to spend with a work of art--just being with it? That is what I have for you now. Thanks again for the thoughtful effort. Best, Professor Wayne
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