Sketchbook, Art, Art projects.

The post for this week is a sort of promotion. I have entered a project that exhibits artist sketchbooks on a permanent basis in the Art Library of Brooklyn. The full project has been developed by the Art Hose Coop, a not-for-profit arts organization. I have participated in some of their projects in the past, and they are a pretty good organization. If you would like to find out more, or participate yourself, the information can be found here.

There are several themes available to the artist participating. The theme selected is up to the artist, however participants can also ask to be randomly assigned. I selected the dirigible and submersible theme. I'm not sure how I will fill an entire sketchbook addressing this idea, but it should be fun coming up with something. What are your thoughts? Which theme would you have selected?

Mark Bradford

The post for this week is about the artist Mark Bradford. He was a recent recipient of the MacArthur Genius Award. An interview from The Art Newspaper was conducted, and can be read here.

Bradford's work is interesting in that he assembles media found on the street into layered imagery. The result is meant to explore issues of community, street culture, and society. Bradford is the one of the few contemporary artists that shares my view on art, how it can be used for communication and how it can be used to build community. I am not a fan of installation art, but Bradford has recently been involved in a series of installations that reflect and interact with the communities in which he is presenting. The above article explains more specifically what he is doing. What are your thoughts? See you next time.

Book Review

This book, edited by Steven madoff looked at where art schools have been, and what type of art and artists were produced as a result. Madoff also explored how an education in art could be changed to meet the diverse needs of the 21st Century. If you would like to read a copy of this book, it can be purchased here. The nearest library with a copy can also be found by entering the title here.

The author described how the majority of those who studied art (particularly those who earned M.F.A. degrees),later became instructors or teachers of art. His argument was centered around the idea that if artists were to become teachers, they should be more prepared and adept to the many resources and tools available to communicate the lessons of art. He added that this was not happening, and as a result art works have become lackluster in quality.

Madoff was succinct in his writing, and it was not difficult to follow his thoughts. His observations on what happened to students when they left art school were particularly interesting. I agree that the majority become educators and I would add that as educators, these artist/teachers have perpetuated a flatness that has affected the art world in recent decades.

Art has long been a descriptor for the societies that produced it. If art in this century is to maintain a significance, change in how artists learn and think should be considered. Please leave your comments,and I'll see you next time.

Art Fairs

I recently entered a local art show/fair for third time. Some artists that I know refuse to display their work in art fairs. They have said that it's too local, too small-time, and the quality of work represented is not very good. I'm not sure this is a correct assessment, but I will take any opportunity to show my work.

I think that generally speaking the work found in local art shows (regardless of the region in which you live)does tend to be of poor quality. However, I am also of the opinion that much of the art in recognized gallery settings is also lacking great value. The bigger issue, at least for me, is the opportunity to have your work seen. The more you show, the more you will be recognized. I would add that one never knows who is going to show up at these shows, and what exhibition opportunities may result. Art is a form of communication and the more venues used to this end, the better.

Bibliography of the History of Art (BHP)

The Bibliography of the History of Art (BHP) is a searchable database dedicated to art, and art history materials. It has been called the second most frequently accessed art database right after JSTOR. Until recently this database was owned and maintained by the Getty Institute in California. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal however, reported that the Getty was dropping BHP due to budget cuts. The full story can be read here.

While I think it is unfortunate that this database will be lost, I must admit that I have never used it, and until this news broke, I hadn't even heard of it. From the newspaper article it also sounds as if this data source is not as complete as it could be. If the planned return by the Getty Institute when more funds are made available becomes a reality, then this may be the change needed to revamp this database. What do you think? Have you used this resource?

Neon Art to Dazzle London Underground

No this post is not about Star Trek. I selected the above image because this posting is about neon art, and I like this image. According to a recent article from the Art Newspaper, a California artist is set to place a giant neon installation right in the London Underground. The article can be read in full here.

Before I read the article, I was of the mindset to oppose this idea. I was dismissing it as what I have often referred to as "academic art" (which if you know me, you know I hate.). However the author of the article mentioned how it will bring a dose of bright light to a place that is often dreary. London is damp and dreary, and the underground represents the dampest, dreariest part of this city. What better location could you place a giant white light? I'm all for it, and I look forward to the day I'm blinded as the subway car I'm riding passes through this location.

Last Supper Paintings and Portion Size

Last week the Internet was a buzz about the portion sizes of the food depicted in various last supper paintings. An AP article about this issue can be read here. Another article covering the same issue can be read here.

The issue at hand, was that over the years portion sizes in the various images have increased. The articles both explain the process of how these images were analyzed. They also both went into an explanation of how this has related to portion sizes and overeating. However, form my point of view this is another example of the ideal vs. the real.

Many of the paintings analyzed were created hundreds of years ago. The food making process has changed considerably since then, and therefore the ideal of what food should look like has also changed. I think that this issue is less about portion size, and more about what the ideal food should look like.