.:: Studio Improv', What is art to you?

What is art to you?

I have to remember to write a lot this week. I feel like I’m getting a clearer and clearer voice for what art means to me this week and my personal response to the world in general. There’s something powerful and very closely linked together about the conversations and discussions I’ve been hearing and having and I really need to pay attention.

An example of one of these linked ideas is how my roommate expressed to me yesterday that she feels like her art should only be viewed by people with art-backgrounds who understand what work she put into it and what the meaning is behind it.

Then today while studying Taoism there was the mention that… we as people spend far too much time involved in ourselves and our desires. It was about how we make things out to revolve around our ideas and our selective worlds and I feel like that’s part of what my roommate’s mentality comes from.

(and not putting down her opinion. I get my own bouts of that selfish thought and know exactly where it comes from in myself. Especially when it comes to interpretation. I have some big personal issues about being misinterpreted by other people.)

But from a broader perspective… Yes, we do spend way too much time worrying about what other people think and worse, about how to keep everything related to ourselves and only to our point of view. And I hate how society works to perpetuate that way of living, thinking only about ourselves and our problems and making things ours. I’m looking very forward to finding some corner of the planet where I can actively interact with people (city and workplace, likely) but be comfortable and unconfronted by the stresses of life.

Anyway, that being in mind, these things were a strong reminder to me that my art isn’t made for only me and the selective, small artworld. Nor is my art made to be interpreted one specific way (even the one I intended) which is why although I may think up a deep concept I tend to pick imagry that seems odd and fantastical which leaves room for invention, reminiscing, or interpretation. I want my work for anyone interested and want to make art that generates a reaction out of someone whether its a sense of tranquility or disturbing or just making your imagination tick. There’s nothing that excites me more than to make someone pause to look at my art. I’m not here to change the world, I want to make an impression, even for that second on you.

So that’s going to be my art statement for 2012. That’s what I’ll be doing. I want to make art that invokes a response (from calm to disturbing) through unusual object and subject interactions. I want common scenes, characters, and objects to meet with something they wouldn’t necessarily.

I’ll still be making my usual geeky things and doodles and nonsense, but I almost can’t wait to pursue my imagination. I feel like I’ve said some of these same goals before but it feels like a very present reminder today.

Anyway, that’s it. And just a word of advice to everyone not to limit yourself thoughtfully (mentally) or environmentally and get stuck in reoccuring cycles. Branch out a little and take in what you experience from your environment and other people. It isnt easy. I guarentee you’ll judge a little but try and stay open and focused so you dont miss it when there’s an important message trying to tell you something.

There are other things that seem to be happening to me this week and this isn’t the only thing its made me think about, but I’m glad I’ve been receptive enough to find these ideas and make something out of my interactions.

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What is art to you?

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