Hello All,
Below are some readings and videos to think about while you continue to prepare artist statements and speak/think about art in general. We will read and discuss the content below in class over the next two weeks, 3/4 & 3/18. Spring break is March 11th, so there will be no class. Remember Tiger Strikes Asteroid member Jaime Alvarez will be coming to speak to us on 3/18 @ 4pm.
Hope you are surviving the snow... again.
The Best Artist Statement Generator I’ve Seen Yet
by
William Powhida, “Artists Statement (No One Here Gets Out Alive)” (2009), graphite and colored pencil on paper, 18″x15″ (Image courtesy the artist and Charlie James Gallery)
The Anti-artist-statement Statement
by on March 29, 2013
The Anti-artist-statement Statement
by on March 29, 2013
Calvin’s (of Calvin and Hobbes) take on the artist statement (image via artvent.blogspot.com)
In Defense of the Artist Statement
by on May 3, 2013
Lucas Samaras, Photo Transformation 8/19/76, 1976
LUCAS SAMARAS: Another autointerview (1971)
Theories and Documents of Contemporary Art: A Sourcebook of Artists Writings
ED., Styles & Selz
LUCAS SAMARAS
'Anyone know what "transversal" means?' … tiptoeing through the IAE minefield.
Photograph: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images
This grouping of videos / readings was informative and helpful. 'The Anti-Artist statement' speaks to how I often feel when I am reading statements that are posted in a gallery . So often they just seem to be a gratuitous jumble of words with such obscure meaning and references, that, I'm am often not really sure what it said. I often think that this 'artspeak' is just a filler; needed because the work, or the artists process just isn't that easy to talk about. But it often leaves the viewer more confused. It can be difficult to write about something that is visual, and was created from that interior place where images take the place of words. In general, I agree with the author's sentiment, and really appreciate the cynical humor.
ReplyDeleteI do however also agree with the author of the' In Defense of the Artist's Statement'. For the non-visual person who needs a bit of hand holding in order to truly appreciate the art work, an artists statement can fill in some of the missing pieces, and help the viewer to have a better understanding of the work. The statement might be the difference between your work being appreciated or your work being dismissed.
I have see the Julie Mehretu Art21 a few times. I really like the scale that she works in, and the way she infuses her work with meaning. She creates her work in layers, and each layer means something different. the work in this video is about understanding our capitalist system. I like that she is making work that is inherently political, but not in-your-face political. her approach to commenting about our society appeals to me. The work has content, and is also very complex. Mehretu comments on 'systems' and she has a 'system' for creating her works. It's amazing to see an artist with a staff of other artists helping her with her work. These artists didn't seem like they were just interning, but that they had a lot of experience. Her Berlin studio is amazing!
Writing an artist statement is a common difficulty among artists. This group of readings and videos were thought provoking and helpful, particularly "The Anti-Artist-Statement Statement", "In Defense of the Artist Statement", and "A User’s Guide to Artspeak". These three articles, which both agree with and disagree with the notion of the artist statement, allowed me to hear both sides of the story and therefore form my own thoughts and ideas about the artist statement in general, and about writing my own artist statement. The articles made me realize that I have been guilty of using ‘artspeak’ in the past, not necessarily as filler, but because I thought that was how an artist statement was supposed to sound! In the past, I have never been happy with my artist statements, most likely because I subconsciously realized they sounded forced, overly worded, and inconclusive. Iris Jaffe, in "The Anti-Artist-Statement Statement", brings up a valid point: that artists operate partly on intuition, making it difficult to describe one’s work. If the artist is not quite sure why they did something, how is he or she supposed to explain that to someone else? Recently, when trying to write about my work, I compared writing my artist statement to my sister’s writings. My sister is a doctorate candidate in chemical engineering at the University of Delaware and is required to write about and explain her work all the time, something that she struggles with much less than I do. However, I realized that her writings are based purely in fact and tangible evidence, which is much easier to write about than the ever-subjective artistic process. Robin Greerson said, in the article "In Defense of the Artist Statement", that a successful artist statement should merely create a link between the artist and the work. I realized that if I approach writing my statement with this goal, and utilized a similar structure as my sister, fact (this is the artistic process I used), evidence (this is the work that was created with that process), and conclusion (this is what this work means to me) I have a better chance of creating a successful artist statement that I ever have before.
ReplyDeleteFinally! A way to create an artist statement that doesn't make me want to tear my hair out. ........... If only it wasn't so limited. Generalizations are great and start the ball rolling but the artist statement that was generated for me didn't quite measure up to what I could have written on my own. Here is my very on 500 Letters generated statement: "Elizabeth Harris
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Harris (°1991, Charleston, United States) makes sculptures, installations and conceptual artworks. By questioning the concept of movement, Harris considers making art a craft which is executed using clear formal rules and which should always refer to social reality.
Her sculptures directly respond to the surrounding environment and uses everyday experiences from the artist as a starting point. Often these are framed instances that would go unnoticed in their original context. With a conceptual approach, she finds that movement reveals an inherent awkwardness, a humour that echoes our own vulnerabilities. The artist also considers movement as a metaphor for the ever-seeking man who experiences a continuous loss.
Her works isolate the movements of humans and/or objects. By doing so, new sequences are created which reveal an inseparable relationship between motion and sound. By focusing on techniques and materials, she tries to approach a wide scale of subjects in a multi-layered way, likes to involve the viewer in a way that is sometimes physical and believes in the idea of function following form in a work.
Her works are notable for their perfect finish and tactile nature. This is of great importance and bears witness to great craftsmanship. Elizabeth Harris currently lives and works in Philadelphia."
After reading "A users guide to art speak" I still don't understand this stand off between art speak users and art speak haters. Of course as an artist and curatorial student I understand that art should and needs to be accessible (for its continued survival), but from this same point of view I think I understand that part of the allure (and survival so far) of art is its elitism (sometimes).
In "Defense of the Artists Statement" I like that the author says that text helps put the visual into context for her. In my curatorial studies classes my teachers have brought up multiple times that art stuck up on a blank wall is just that 'art stuck up on a blank wall', it means nothing, in fact it can even change the meaning of the work. for example: if an African ceremonial mask is put in a museum with no written text to explain what it is then the mask simply looks like decoration instead of as a piece of culture and history and purposeful.
I find it extremely difficult to write an artist statement. I actually never wrote one before this class. However, every time I read them in galleries or even around the Moore Campus, I always felt like they provided me ( the viewer ) with a background of the artist and their work.
ReplyDeleteThe main reason I found it difficult when I was writing mine, was because there was just so much I wanted to say. However, you don't want to bore the reader with your life long story of how or why you started creating this certain piece. I wanted to talk about my work, what it's all about, why I always feel the need to create work, etc. etc.
The readers and videos above really gave me a better understanding on what an artist statement actually is. It also kind of relaxed me in a way. An artist statement should be thought through, yes. But it doesn't need to be a huge story about your work. It should be simple and clean, yet detailed about the work. Everything should flow nicely together when reading, but it should also inform the viewer of everything you would want them to know.
I think the "Defense of the Artist Statement" really helped me the most when it came to actually developing my statement. Also properly wording everything without confusing the viewer. I think text really does help the work function. Even if there is no artist statement, providing a quote or title would overall really put a nice balance to a piece. That is just my particular opinion, however. I enjoy pairing my work with text.
After reading and viewing the content above, I read a couple examples of some artist statements, specifically those I admire. And overall, after reading them, it really did help me better understand their work. As well as better understand them as a person in general. Which I think is amazing - it makes me admire them so much more.
I am extremely envious of those who can write their own artist statement. “Artist Statement” on its own scares me sometimes. The fact that I now call myself an Artist is semi-new, it comes with power, and not to mention that fact that I am supposed to write something that “states” I am an artist is odd to me.
ReplyDeleteThe greatest struggle for me is to perfectly articulate my work when I do quite know what it means which is always evolving into something new.
All of the videos and readings were somewhat helpful for me, an artist statement is not something to be fearful of or something that has to define my work but more or less add to it. This is especially true to those who are not necessarily “visual” people and I prefer my art work to be enjoyed by all.
At first, I was very intimidated with writing an artist statement. How do I use words that represent my personality and my work at the same time? How do I not sound like a pretentious ass hole, but still sound intelligent. I think these questions come up with a lot of artist when dealing with their work in general. I found that being yourself as much as possible goes a long way, even when writing an artist statement. Be unconventional, or be traditional, just be yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see the creative outcomes that all these artists have used. It is informative in thinking about how to write and revise my artist statement for the end of the year. I have read many artist's statements and many do not describe the artwork that the artist makes clearly, and it is difficult to understand their work from there artist statement. Often an artist is able to articulate what their work is about much more clearly through speaking about their work out loud. However, for me I find my written statement much more clear and focused. I have been taking Critical Approaches with James Moyer throughout this semester and that class has also helped me improve on my writing skills not only on my art but as well as other artist's work.
ReplyDeleteI also find it useful to watch Art21's to hear artists' speak about their work. Often they are able to clearly identify the concepts and aesthetics of their work. Throughout junior studio 2, I have learned how to much more clearly articulate thoughts about my work as well as write about my work. In my studio practice I like to go through make work, to thinking about it, to writing about. And that cycle allows my studio practice to be self sufficient.