Okay, I know I've written about this before, but I wanted to share a video with you that I showed to my 6th graders today. We are working on a clay unit and some of them freak out when their projects don't turn out how they envisioned. Some of them are better at art skills than others, just like some are better at writing or math, however, having a predilection or latent talent is only an indication of where ability lies. Unless one is a savant or other remarkable personality, talent is not mastery.
Take, for example, the above film clip of artist Andy Goldsworthy as he works to build one of his nature pieces. When one looks at pictures or even videos of his work on Youtube, they are flawless and inspire reverence for nature that few other artists achieve. The failure of the structure and his reaction to that attest to the effort and time he puts into those pieces. Talent means nothing without a very real investment of time. When someone tells an artist that they are "so talented," they are missing the point, missing the understanding that they are not looking at the result of mere talent- they are looking at the culmination of joy, frustration, tears, successes, failures and the current place one is on in a journey. And oh, what a journey it is!
Thanks for stopping by- Alice
4 comments:
We humans are so attached to everything and we artists are especially attached to our artworks. We feel like such failures when one doesn't turn out just right. Oh, for a life of release from holding on so tightly to what is "mine mine mine". Of course, I felt for him when things fell and crumbled - and I'm sure he began again because all of his work deals with impermanence being outside where the elements play a part in the art. Thanks for sharing. Talent is just the spark but hard work and education and practice are what it takes to get better - and then, there is no promise of success. So I hope we all create for ourselves and see that anything more is just the icing on the cupcake :) Have a wonderful weekend!
Haven't seen a post from you in a long time - hope all is well.
Rhonda, thanks for asking. I'm healthy, alive and well. This school year has knocked me for a loop, but next week is a whole 9 days free!! I am living for time in the studio. Alice
Glad you have returned with some new and exciting ideas on fabric! Take care :)
Post a Comment