“Life is a unity: it would be very surprising if we could give fullest play to one of its functions while neglecting the other, or if to live our ideas should not help us to perceive them”
A.G. Sertillanges, O.P., in The Intellectual Life, Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods
I recently subscribed to “Julliard Open Studios” from Touchpress through the iTunes Store. Whether you enjoy the performing arts or not, you should subscribe because the episodes teach an approach to the performing arts that is fungible. Risking oversimplification, the overarching principles are: (1) precision of thought, feeling and emotion; (2) exploiting ambiguities to find new ways of giving the art life; (3) own the art.
Precision focuses and intensifies the artistic experience for the performer and the audience. Too many fine art photographers do not think carefully enough about exactly what they are trying to do when they capture the data. Ansel Adams taught previsualization as a technique, but he also intended the photographer to think about what he or she wanted to do or express before capture. Knives are sharp because they are pointed; photographs have more impact if the concept behind image is sharp as well.
Exploiting ambiguities gives the performing artist the means of exploring new worlds. Where the artist is clear and explicit the art demands fealty; but where it is ambiguous, license is given to create anew. Ambiguities left for the audience to consider can also increase the impact of the work by bringing it to life inside the mind of the audience. Photographers can distort normal viewpoints, photograph unusual subjects, blur or sharpen, remove or add color to create ambiguity in the final image and thereby open the gates of imagination; yes, ambiguity can be the precise point of the image.
Owning the art gives it life. Going through the motions is not enough; any artist worthy of the name must become the art; must possess it so thoroughly that it is him or her in a real sense. I remember when I first started showing my work I felt completely naked and was terrified–but this was a good thing! It meant that I was revealing my true self in my work. Living with our desire to create something beautiful helps us to perceive the beautiful all around us.
Blog No. 67: “Julliard Open Studios,” the AP that keeps on giving
“Life is a unity: it would be very surprising if we could give fullest play to one of its functions while neglecting the other, or if to live our ideas should not help us to perceive them”
A.G. Sertillanges, O.P., in The Intellectual Life, Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods
I recently subscribed to “Julliard Open Studios” from Touchpress through the iTunes Store. Whether you enjoy the performing arts or not, you should subscribe because the episodes teach an approach to the performing arts that is fungible. Risking oversimplification, the overarching principles are: (1) precision of thought, feeling and emotion; (2) exploiting ambiguities to find new ways of giving the art life; (3) own the art.
Precision focuses and intensifies the artistic experience for the performer and the audience. Too many fine art photographers do not think carefully enough about exactly what they are trying to do when they capture the data. Ansel Adams taught previsualization as a technique, but he also intended the photographer to think about what he or she wanted to do or express before capture. Knives are sharp because they are pointed; photographs have more impact if the concept behind image is sharp as well.
Exploiting ambiguities gives the performing artist the means of exploring new worlds. Where the artist is clear and explicit the art demands fealty; but where it is ambiguous, license is given to create anew. Ambiguities left for the audience to consider can also increase the impact of the work by bringing it to life inside the mind of the audience. Photographers can distort normal viewpoints, photograph unusual subjects, blur or sharpen, remove or add color to create ambiguity in the final image and thereby open the gates of imagination; yes, ambiguity can be the precise point of the image.
Owning the art gives it life. Going through the motions is not enough; any artist worthy of the name must become the art; must possess it so thoroughly that it is him or her in a real sense. I remember when I first started showing my work I felt completely naked and was terrified–but this was a good thing! It meant that I was revealing my true self in my work. Living with our desire to create something beautiful helps us to perceive the beautiful all around us.