Friday, March 06, 2009

IF-"Intricate" detail!


Here's a questions for you- does it bug you when someone goes on about how long it took you to make your art instead of being moved by the piece? I hate that! I don't know if I get it more- because of the "medium" I use- but it drives me bonkers.
When I was in Paris and standing infront of the Mona Lisa, people were not going on and on about how long it took DiVinci to paint her!
In Fiber- it seems like people are sometimes more impressed by how long it took to make something, then its shape, color, message, emotion- Some of my work has a lot of "Intricate" detail- like the trees in Red Shoes- yes,it took a long time to do- but I want you to be moved by the effect- not the time.
I wonder if it is just the only thing some people can indentify with- they don't see a lot of value in art, are not regularly moved by emotion, lean towards practical and are really trying to find something to complaiment me on- so hey, they value time and that is what they are going to judge the piece on.
Now that I think about it, the comment as come across almost like- " wow, that took a long time," with unsaid attitude of why the @#$#@#$# would anyone take their time to do art.
It interesting to look at two movie series that came out about the same time-finally attempting to bring Tolkien and Lewis's fantacies to the screen- In my opinion, one suceeded because of "intricate detail" and one failed becuase of lack of it.
Watching the Production DVDs of the effort and detail the artisans put into the costumes, props and sets in the Fellowship was amazing- more then could ever be caught on film.
Not nearly as much effort was put forth in the making of Narinia and I think it shows. Not just in the visual landscape of the film- but in the actors- who had to believe they were in another world.
If you wander through old churches, which I love to do, little country lane chapels or great Cathedral- the "intricate" detail you find is moving- the craving, tapestery, the stain glass and gold work- these are not statements of how much time was invested- these are offerings, scarifices- to something or someone of value.
I don't think true artist value their work in the sense of how long it took- but what it says- and who it is for.

11 comments:

  1. Wow, beautiful! :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your work is beautiful and question is profound. I do wonder at the time things took to work on, when the detail is so in depth.

    But when I ask that question it is in awe of both the work and the detail. If I don't like the work, the question of time doesn't even enter my mind. Either way, you have beautiful work! Detail, time or effort aside, it is inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, this is just awesome! So how long did it take you to do this?lol

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love your trees; that's how I see them, too. Thanks for stopping by my blog, and for your words of support.

    ReplyDelete
  5. That's a lovely piece, perfect for today's topic:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. wow what detail!!! I am blown away....wonderful work...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautifulwork and very original.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ah , the red shoes. I remember discussing this piece while you were working on it. It is one of my favorites. The contrast of those red shoes against the graveyard is both stunning and disturbing as this child seems to be dancing on the graves.

    ReplyDelete
  9. this is beautiful regardless of how long it took. really neat. i know what you mean by that, for a few years i weaved fabric and i got those comments a lot, drove me nuts. keep making beautiful fiber art!

    ReplyDelete
  10. My hope is that people who are impressed with the time invested in a creative endeavor are somehow tuning into the sense of "timelessness" that an artist feels when he/she gets "lost" in their work--they just don't know it! My response is to let them know what a joy the process was, with time becoming meaningless...

    Beautiful illustration!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I appreciate your comments. Time seems pretty relative to me. I can be very moved by something that takes very little time to make--something with simple lines. But yes, detail matters, LOTS. In writing as well as in visual medias.

    Plus, when you're really into making whatever it is you're making, time disappears anyway.

    I LOVE the red shoes!

    ReplyDelete