RE: Value in Process : Why Steemit is a Big Deal for Artists
Thank you for posting @voronoi. Your topic is a tough one for artists and art collectors alike.
If one may express thoughts in a candid manner, some queries come to mind.
How does an artist think of his revenue or even the destination of his work and process/create at the same time? It is as you say...alot of process before the idea becomes a reality.
Why would an artist spend time explaining the process unless he desires to be an art instructor as well? If an artist desires to be an instructor...then fulfilling someones request to hear about the process is fine...however many times an artist is, after continuous repetition of certain processes, creating intuitively. It becomes second nature and thus a distraction from his work to explain process. One would hope that it would not be an expectation of artists to explain procedure.
The opportunity on Steemit for artists is vast, yet the necessary protection of one's time and creative thought process should bring pause as to how to function on Steem.
Will there someday be Steem galleries to represent vetted artists?
Lets say the goal of an artist is to express his thoughts, joy of life, regard for certain things, etc. Nevertheless the appreciator, the art collector, must be able to see what he appreciates in the work, be it a painting, sculpture, photograph, ....from his own frame of reference, he identifies with the colour...the setting...the mood...the style of the work, etc. but it is his impression of the work not that of the artist that he appreciates.
The artist has expressed something through a developed skill that the buyer cannot, therefore the collector appreciates it all the more.
A thought regarding the traditional manner of putting artwork forward is that it is the art, not the artist....the message,not the messenger that is the issue.
How do artists fullfill that principle in this new paradigm?
How do art collectors not get distracted by the artists?
Perhaps this should be considered more of an open letter to Steemit.
BTW...It is the colour palette of your work that fascinates the eye of bleujay whatever the subject. Thank you for the opportunity to express thought.
Your words are extremely thoughtful, thank you for taking the time to read my post and also for thinking critically about this topic. First and foremost, each artist has his or her own unique way of creating. Some are more internalized than others who might depend on a dialog with their surroundings. The intuition of an artist (as you mention) is an interesting topic... From my perspective, "intuition" is a mysterious ether of creativity that holds art in a delicate balance between inclusive and exclusive. You could say that the mysterious artist allows the observer to find their own meaning in the art... or you might say that a mysterious artist is stymieing their own ability to connect their story with others. It's a tough balance to strike in new paradigms like this one. I can't say I have a clean answer... but I think as artists, it's our obligation to explore the possibilities.
I should add that I'm an insatiably curious pen-wielding optimist... especially when it comes to sharing artwork :)
And thank you for doing so...it is fresh, quality, honours the basic Principles of design and the Elements of Design, original, and refreshing. Steemit is fortunate to have in you both a writer and an artist. Wishing you the very best.
Thank you for your reply. Agreed. Yes, an objective exploration of the possibilities in this new frontier.
A principle for this may be...Flexible in the non essentials....Inflexible in the essentials. To each artist these essentials will be different.
Once again thank you for your article which brought about an opportunity for
ponderance and dialogue. All the best. Cheers