Of cabbages and critiques

[Steven Sweeney]

Originally Posted by Simon Bland

If art is the intervention of the human mind in the elements furnished by experience, criticism is the intervention of the human mind in the elements furnished by aesthetic passion.

And so the "dance" is perhaps not unlike that described by Sven Birkerts in The Gutenberg Elegies, regarding the steps taken by the writer, and the reader:

Writing is the monumentally complex operation whereby experience, insight, and imagination are distilled into language; Reading is the equally complex operation that disperses these distilled elements into another person's life.

The goal of critiques (and I'm distinguishing this from the role of art critic) is to speak to the kinds of balance and form that will make the dance as graceful and seemingly effortless as possible, so that through mastery over (including manipulation of) line and edges and value design and the like, the artist expresses his or her intentions in such a way that the patron or viewer can say, "Yes! You have helped me to see what it is that you saw. Thank you for that."

That would be a useful critique.

[Simon Bland]

Steven, that is a marvellous use of metaphor. I guess there's a hope that even the work of an artistic equivalent of clog dancer like me can one day look graceful and effortless.

Enzie, your marketing story is inspirational.

Simon

[Mischa Milosevic]

Steven, excellent thread. I hope you wont mind if I chime in with the hope to be in tune.

While at the academy I noticed the masterful level of professionalisms exhibited by the instructor there. A young man in his early thirties but so on the ball and while resolving self issues, in regard to a professional level of instruction, he always managed to stay focused and true to the job at hand. He exhibited and entered the arena of art and art instruction with a passion. If, when there he noticed a area that was lacking he took steps to resolve the shortcoming.

If one loves their craft with a passion then you are where you need to be. If while there, one does not take the proper steps in order to be the best they can, then that individual has not earned the right to receive the benefits in what ever form.

Sure everything on this planet is a struggle but imagine what it would be like if your parents did not take the time to teach you the basics and prepare you for school. Lets not forget the love involved to put up with the devilish attitude of a youngster.

The cold truth hit me one day, some years back, that if I am to make a living at art I must start and master the basics and in turn go on to the next level. The same applies to anything we hope to acheave.

So, (well stated Steven)

"My "goal" is to be so impelled toward an end through desire and ardor and an appreciation of the pleasures of excellence, that I have no sense of being chased by fears that I'm not up to the task. If I could get there, I'm pretty sure that the mortgage would get paid and the unveiling's would go well. I have YET to completely achieve this level of confidence or serenity (or success), but I'm under construction."

"Yet criticism is itself an art. It might, indeed, be defined as an art within an art, since every work of art is the struggle between the heart that is the artist himself and his mind that is the critic."