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Originally Posted by Russell Smith
Hi Mike. Interesting points, but first of all, go back and re-read my statement. I clearly said "not all abstract art is bad" - meaning that I do, in fact, appreciate and even like, some of it. I DO, in fact, understand other forms, and for a long time, made great effort to try and understand even those that I didn't like.
Secondly, I admittedly carry a chip on my shoulder in terms of my own work in relation to abstract art. For many years, in art school and after graduation, I was pushed to believe that my own work was somehow inferior and unacceptable because it was representational (I'm guessing you may have experienced the same attitudes??). For a long time I held an unhealthy and apologetic attitude about my own style. Unfortunately I find that same attitude still exists among the "artsy-fartsy" types (as opposed to those who appreciate art).
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Thanks Russell. No, I did not catch the not all abstract art is bad part. I was relating more to the "I look at a lot of modern stuff and think "you have got to be kidding me!" part, primarily because I thought that very same thing for many years!
Because I have no real formal art education, I was not subjected to the intellectual prejudices of art academics. There again, is a whole 'nother language that is foreign to me. I thank my lucky stars for that as, despite the no doubt useful instruction I missed out on, I also did not have to unlearn the junk prejudices of academia.
Being an autodidact does have its advantages.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell Smith
Where do you see the difference between that and simple "decoration"? I can find beauty in a mass produced Christmas tree ornament.
nice work, BTW
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Thanks!!
Well a Christmas tree ornament is quite an eyeful for such a simple item. Mass produced stuff is its very own cheapening, invalidating itself through sheer volume and over-exposure. This is why almost all successful artists are seen as "sell-outs" by some people. Such people make no connection between artistic triumph and popular success. And, most of those people are not successful themselves because they lack the talent to bridge that great divide.
But then there is the idiot factor to contend with. Many people would not know good art if it fell on their head. I guess that would explain the wild success of Thomas Kinkade, Madonna etc. etc.......
Where to draw the line? Christams tree ornament: good art. Thomas Kinkade: bad art. Me: somewhere in the middle.
Mike