When I began weaving this crackle scarf, I kept looking at it. Looking at it with a question mark. I just didn't see a scarf. I didn't see the beginning of a scarf. I touched it. Frequently. It did not say "scarf." It kept saying---dare I say the words?--art piece.
There, I've said it. Saying it makes it more difficult for me to back away and change my mind. Saying it means commitment.
ART CLOTH VS ART PIECE
Constance Rose recently said it. Go here to read the post where she talks about her decision to commit to the creation of art cloth. Not art pieces; art cloth.
I Googled the phrase. Every site Google brings up links art cloth in some way with yardage and/or wearables. That is just how I viewed art cloth. I am not weaving art cloth.
I call what I am attempting to do an "art piece" because it will never have any connection with either yardage or wearables. (It won't even be a scarf). It will be closer to tapestry than to art cloth. But it will not be tapestry.
SELF-DELUSION IN SOLITUDE?
Am I simply deluding myself? Robert Genn sent out an email to his Painter's Keys subscribers. That email stopped me in my tracks. In it he talks about the dangers of working in solitude. Here is a passage that made my blood run cold::
"We all know of artists who are forever in a state of euphoric bliss about their essentially crummy art. These folks may rationalize that joy itself is enough, but it isn't. Pleasing yourself is loaded with potential self-deceit."
This is the danger of working in solitude. And since moving to South Carolina, I am definitely a solitary weaver.
TROUBLE IN PARADISE
However, while I may be finding myself in a "state of euphoric bliss," there is trouble in paradise. Trouble of a technical nature.
To read Genn's entire piece, called Kalopsia, as well as comments made by his readers, go here.
Related Links
Weaving and Art
Weaving as Fine Art
Fiber Art as Fine Art
© 2008
5 comments:
Well, weaving is hardly a group activity. Good grief, you belong to a land guild, you belong to the Online Guild, you belong to several weaving lists, and you belong to the textile blogosphere. Anyway, to me that's hardly solitary.
The crackle piece is lovely whatever one chooses to call it. It would be a wonderful display piece because the eye wants to linger and explore. Maybe I'm a little out of touch, but I'd think about actually framing it.
Peg, I had one of these teachers when I was take my BS in Commercial Art and Advertising. The piece is really intriging, don't let anyone bring you down, because there's always some "critic" who can. I always say you are your own worst critic all artist have this in them, and it's not taught it's in your gut. After all Van Gogh thought he was awful. If your going to frame it look at this blog, I love this one
http://tecelagem-artesanal.blogspot.com/2007/11/painis-em-fibras-naturais.html
I think the way he displays his weaving is beautiful and simply you might want to try it. or not.
Thank you, Leigh and Deep end of the loom. Framing is one thing I had thought of, but I don't like the idea of not being able to touch it. I did go to the website but the link did not work---actually brought up some porn search terms! And I did copy and paste...........
That's a very interesting line: "We all know of artists who are forever in a state of euphoric bliss about their essentially crummy art." I wonder if the key is in the qualifiers forever and essentially? I think an artist is always to some extent dissatisfied with what they produce, because that is part of the motivation to keep working, and some things will necessarily be more pleasing to you than others and some things will probably turn out crummy. But if you waited until you were perfectly happy with your work before you called it "art" then you would never get started at all....
In this case I would be very proud to have such a lovely piece to display! It reminds me of the work of Ptolemy Mann who displays her weaving stretched over box frames so you are hit with a vibrant block of colour.
Wow, I'm sorry, that's awful, I have it on my favorites http://tecelagem-artesanal.blogspot.com
Maybe the extension is not good, it's in Portugese and he has a video of burning fiber I think it's seagrass or sisal to give an effect it's really impressive. I hope it works this time I really would love to share it with you all.
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