Time to pick one! One from each category, that is.
Katherine Tyrrell, at Making a Mark, has posted the finalists for the Making a Mark Awards, 2010. You have until very early December 30th. to enter your vote for each category.
Vote for the best artwork on an art blog in 2010.
I voted but soon after I felt it shouldn't have done it. I should have thought a bit longer before voting. Is artwork something you vote for? I kept asking myself. Should we compete with art?
ReplyDeleteBlogging is nice and participating in voting etc. is so easily done. However, should we?
What are we voting for? The best artwork? Is there something like better and best art? Of course we discuss many aspects of the participated artwork, but how we perceive art so personal.
I hope the winner will be happy, but I hope even more the not-winners (there are no losers) won't be discouraged.
Paula
Hey, Paula! Thanks for commenting, and I enjoyed visiting your blog.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of us struggle with the idea of competition in art, or among artists. I think it is a great compliment to those who were nominated, just to be nominated, win or lose.
But, there can be no good (or great ) art, if there is no best art. "In art the best is good enough," said Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
I think the thing is to be mature about the personal aspects - I don't get a thrill out of being one better than the next guy (in art - but in other ventures in life, I love to compete). Better to be collegiate about our relationships as artists, IMHO.
I saw a great movie this year, Modigliani. An art competition between Modigliani and Picasso, and several other "name" artists, is the device in the story line that delivers the message that Modigliani is a true artist. I recommend it very much - there is much that the artist can chew on, not just the imaginary competition.
And, if someone's work is chosen as "best," of course they know it is a piece in a place in a point of time. The work won the accolades of professionals, or peers (the best kind of jury) or patrons, and that is a wonderful experience. But, it is just a slice of life - there will be more humility ready for the next day, when nothing on the easel works out!
Thank you, Casey.
ReplyDeleteI feel slightly better now about voting although I keep on thinking we forgot Bach for 200 years. The same counts for Johannes Vermeer. Rembrandt's The Nightwatch was concidered a failure and got forgotten. The relation between an artist (or piece of art) and the one that enjoys or perceives art is unstable and unpredictable.
You are right to say winning is just luck in a place in a point of time.
Paula
You make some excellent points, there, Paula! The art or artists whose works were ahead of their time.
ReplyDeleteI read Kandinsky this year about being in the van - he says there is one, or else one and a handful of artists whose work is in the van of (art) culture. They won't be noticed until later is the idea, and your examples are brilliant.
That's why I like the peer juries the best: artist's eyes.
But, you provide for us a cautionary tale. Don't look at the prizes, look within.
I am content to paint alone, to paint and struggle and figure stuff out. I am content to stretch to try the next things and to consolidate what I've learned. I am busy and focused and content.
ReplyDeleteUntil a ribbon or prize is offered. Then, it seems that all of my focus and contentment is abandoned and the only thing that matters is the prize.
If I win the prize, I think too much of myself. I have an inflated idea of my place and of my talent.
If I don't win the prize, I think too low of myself. I wonder why I ever thought I was an artist, why I started this crazy thing anyway, and I consider selling my supplies and going back to piano gigs.
But, now I am considering this: that contests and prizes have their place. They measure something, probably something other than they intend to measure, and they do not represent handwriting on a wall or anything.
Good luck to the artists whose work is being voted on. And good luck to the rest of us. I'll just work on keeping my head on right. It keeps me plenty busy.
Hi, Kvan.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good conversation we're having. Your words resonate so well.
I know that I thought that all art fair prizes were rigged, until the day I won one. Then another and etc. All of a sudden, I liked art fair prizes.
Then, I felt compelled to paint that well - as well as I was supposed to paint. It was an awful event, an awful period.
But then, I won it again. But, to tell the truth, today, I have no idea how or what to paint. If you're only as good as your last painting, then I suck. Daily.
Remember when Fonzy jumped the shark? Go back and re-paint your old ideas again and again, and see the shark looming. Maybe, instead of jumping the shark, I should stuff it.
Nah. Better go back to painting.
I like the way Elizabeth Gilbert rethinks winning (a bestseller success) and losing (often after producing a bestseller).
ReplyDeleteHere are her enjoyable thoughts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86x-u-tz0MA
In short, ‘we’ (as individual artists) don't win alone awards. It isn't a lucky event in time and space alone, ‘we’ win because we get help or are in contact with the ancient muses.
What about that? ;-)
Paula
Every time I think of problems associated with competitions and awards I remember that Modigliani film! What surprises me is how much we are like the characters in the movie...those uber famous men felt all the sting we feel when things don't go according to plan. They wanted recognition....we want recognition..it is remarkable that we share those identical feelings about competing and rejection with the Masters. I like what you wrote: "there can be no good (or great ) art, if there is no best art".
ReplyDeleteOften I think the notion to paint without regard for how the painting measures up is irresponsible!...other times I am deep into the art for art's sake camp. (that's where I am right now...but also...I voted, haha...thanks for the link)
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ReplyDeleteI'm getting the internet slow today, so I'll have to watch that video later, Paula - thanks.
ReplyDeleteCeleste - how interesting that you saw that movie and enjoyed it. I loved it, but noticed that the critics panned it. What do they know about art?
I liked the way each artist felt a sense of triumph just exhibiting at the contest.
Paula, I did see that video when it first came out.
ReplyDeleteThe contact with ancient muses is an early idea regarding art, as I'm sure you know. I see it as such when one learns, and integrates, the visual language of the great masters. But, that's hard work, huh?
Gotta know your history to be good in art.