Art viewing is nothing if not a connection between two minds, in my opinion.
– Edward Winkleman
Discuss.
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19 thoughts on “When 2 Minds Meet < Deep Thought Thursday”
In principle I agree – but the notion does require both minds to actually think, engage and endeavour to communicate.
I think Ed makes a presumption about what is art. I’ve seen a fair bit of so-called “art” in my time which has looked pretty thoughtless to me and which has totally failed to engage me. I’m guessing we could all probably say the same – even if not necessarily about the same pieces!
So does the notion apply to absolutely all “art”? Probably not.
PS That looks like a photo which Karin Jurick ought to be taking a look at! 🙂
Katherine: Yes, I think Winkleman does have a point of view about what art is. I think we all do. For me, some art is so saccharine or so “easy” that I don’t want to engage. I don’t want to use brain power or viewing time looking at it. I don’t want to meet the mind of the artist.
Thanks for reminding me of Karin’s work. I got caught up on her blog. Perfect analogy!
“Art viewing” I can agree is a connection between two minds, that of the viewer and that of the artist. It is afterall a Silent conversation” to begin with. And it’s durring that conversation taht the viewer determines whether or not they are interested or care in what the artist has to say. This is where it begins before it reaches any other level of discussion in my opininon.
Art can also be a division of two minds! There are some paintings like Guernica which I’ve hated initially. Then I developed an understanding about the piece and what Picasso was trying to achieve. I can’t say I like it, but I understand it now.
I agree with Kathryn about art which fails to engage. Personally I enjoy art most when it makes me think. If it’s an abstract with no apparent concept or a straightforward landscape, then I’m less intrigued. No matter how well the piece has been executed.
The second mind brings new meaning to the work. That is where a lot of my excitement as an artist come from. I often think of my work as children going out into the world with their own life, bringing fresh experience to others who in turn bring layers of meaning to the work.
About engaging the viewer. This is an elusive goal. Not everyone brings the same interests, background, or taste to a work. I remember a painting I did that my wife could not connect with, I felt a certain connection with the subject and it’s execution, and a collector was deeply moved by it so much that they chose to live with it. One painting. Three experiences. Exciting.
You’re right, Michael. We can’t connect with everyone.
I made a short video called: “How to Move to Visual Art,” To do that I created a movement meditation in which participants actually looked a the art and let their bodies respond and explore all the elements in the art. Afterwards one participant said: “Each piece of art gives off a different purpose. When you just see them you see the pieces all here. When you move to them, you really focus and you feel them. You realize their intentions and you kind of meld it with your own intentions and experience that.” So for me, looking art art can be a connection between two mind-bodies.
That’s a good video, Andrew. I loved watching it – even for just a minute. Maybe you can leave the URL here.
Thanks Alyson. Sure: How to Move to Visual Art: http://www.andrewpurchin.com/projects/reflections-undoing-artists-residency-mah
Hey Alyson is your dad an artist? Usually it is artists that get there nose right up close to look at the works and try to figure out how it is done….often resulting in reprimands from the nearest guard. 😉
Seriously, glad you can spend time with your folks in this way!
oops…”their nose”
Casey: No, but he’s a serious student of most things. He is also someone who reads every single label in a museum. Can’t get him out!
I would like to think that veiwing art is not so much a discussion between minds but a transfer of emotion, a transfer of thought in which once picked up can become something totally new and different for that person, I know that when I paint a piece I do so with a certain feeling a feeling and emotion that I had for that piece, that when veiwed by someone else they tell me what they see in it or feel from it and its totally different from what I felt to paint it. I don’t think its a failure on the part of the painting (not representing what the artist felt) but more of an evolution of the emotion it can cause.
Which is exciting 🙂
This is a quote I read not too long ago that made me laugh. Maybe it will make someone else laugh too. I may have misspelled the source.
“Surely nothing has to listen to so many stupid remarks as a painting in a museum.”
–Edmond Jules de Goncourt
Love that, June! Thanks for sharing that terrific (spot on) quote. Just tweeted it.
The artist creates a work often with the intent of making a statement that someone, somewhere, somewhen, will somehow relate to. A connection. It may be positive but it could be negative. It’s not a dialogue because there is no give and take. There is an offering and a perusal which sometimes becomes more and sometimes less.
Art is a communication transcending the time and place of its creation as well as that of its creator.
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It was really great to see a picture of your parents, Alyson! The next time I’m in OKC, I’ll have to check out that gallery.
That is just delightful. Might also be nice black and white and printed large. What a nice capture.