I was just confronted at coffee break by an elderly woman who has been a traditional artist for years. I was drawing on my iPad. She reached over and swiped her fingers across the sceen and informed the crowd that it can't be real art because it's not permanent.
I managed to get my iPad away from her before she completely ruined my drawing and thanks to Procreate's robust function, I was able to recover.
My friends around the table tried to tell her that I have some talent, but she shouted them down and insisted that what I was doing couldn't be art since it's too easy. I invited her to try it, but she declined saying she didn't know how to do it.
This person is known to be loud and obnoxious, so I won't waste time on her comments, but what does bother me is that she's one of the founding members of the closest art club which I joined last fall. I came close to canceling my membership when I first encountered the cement-headed attitude of some of the members. They are concerned that they are unable to attract new members. Duh.
Don't misunderstand me. My current level of proficiency is far from expert, it will take lots more practice before I'll be showing in New York or London but I don't think that means what I do is not as real as oil paint on canvas.
Isn't art created by the manipulation of color. What does it matter if the medium is paint or pixels?
If you've read this far and have an opinion about digital vs canvas art, I'd like to hear it, I just needed to get this off my chest.
The reaction of the neo-luddite in your club is a typical irrational fear response.
Art is inherently ephemeral; existing both in the artist during the process of its creation, and/or in the mind of the viewer during it's perception. I know of very few who would argue that the physical object; whether it is pigment on a canvas, pixels on a screen, marble in a statue, or vibrations in the air during the performance of a pice of music are "art."
Art exists in the mind, not in objective reality.
This is why what is great art for one person is incomprehensible noise for someone else.
David Hockney
One of the top living artists in the world, one of the top artists of the 20th century.
Works on iPad daily (also works in paint, print, photography)
His recent show "Fresh Flowers' was presented entirely on iPad and iPhone.
He uses the Brushes app, the same $5 app anyone can download and use. His digital works are distinctly Hockney, they are not 'lesser' than any of his other works in other media.
Also, probably one of the most popular artists on the planet in the last few years, Andy Goldsworthy, has made his fame and fortune creating impermanent, ephemeral works from found object and nature.
You might want to introduce the (DVD) film Rivers And Tides to your art group.
One of my favourite artists is Richard Long. He goes on walks. That is his art.
A friend, who has been a longtime member of her local photography club, is constantly railing about the changes that digital photography and computers have brought into her world. She can no longer present her work with a slide projector (drawing on her vast library created over the past few decades). She's moved into the world of Aperture and Photoshop, though seasonally she forgets how to do things and frequently needs retraining.
She's also of the opinion that what is presented for competition these days isn't photographic art... it's computer manipulation, period. If it isn't done in-camera (or in the darkroom), it ain't photography.
I suspect much of her resentment is being unable to become as proficient with the technology as the younger generations... But apparently there isn't enough of a cadre of hardcore photography people within the group to maintain a "pure" competitive line...
So, Winwintoo, while Ms. Obnoxious was certainly out of line by messing with your work (extremely rude, that!), she's likely also resentful at her "art form" going the way of the Dodo - at least in her view.
Thank you all for your responses. You've hit the nail on the head. Fear is the problem.
As I said, I have a loooooong way to go before any talent I have will be ready for prime time, but I will continue doing what I'm doing. I'm pretty sure I'm no threat to any established artists out there.
I enjoyed the Hockney video. I'll dig for more of his work.
Regina is blessed to have many artists. I really like the work of Clayton Kashuba, a young artist who produces large acrylic pieces as well as many done in Photoshop. Maybe he would come and demo his method at the art club.
If you are bringing something inside you to life, then it is indeed art regardless of the medium.
For some artists the digital age has expanded their abilities, others view it more as an intrusion.
One of the truly wonderful things about art is that it touches each of us differently.
One area that I do feel the intrusion is in the area of writing. Sadly it allows quantity to fill in for quality.
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Last edited by eMacMan; Jul 2nd, 2012 at 06:57 PM.
She's also of the opinion that what is presented for competition these days isn't photographic art... it's computer manipulation, period. If it isn't done in-camera (or in the darkroom), it ain't photography.
I suspect it's a little more complex--it's the supposition that the digital photography crowd cannot also operate a traditional film camera. I can understand the resentment over having the skill taken out of the equation. It's like all of the skilled draftspeople who were put out of work by AutoCad. I can understand the resentment, but what are you going to do, once the horse has left the barn?
but I don't think that means what I do is not as real as oil paint on canvas.
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