Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Definitions

First, in case you were not aware, Texas is in the midst of a drought. It has been very, very dry this last year and very, very warm. Today, for instance, will get up into the 70s with lots of sunshine. Very nice, isn't it? Ah, but it has a very dark side. Because of this freakish weather, the cedar trees (blue berry mountain juniper) are doing their happy dance. All of the weather forecasts are promising a hellish "cedar fever" season. Ugh. There are few things I am more allergic to than cedar trees and they flourish in this area. And to top it all off, there is a little rhino virus going around which has made its way through Chez Buchle so that Ariel missed her first day back to school and T-man is struggling to spend the entire day at work. Me? Oh, I had it for New Year's. On New Year's Eve, I was in bed by 8:30 after having taken my cold and sinus medicine. I'm such a party animal.

Anyway, I thought I'd throw a topic out there before I get away from the computer for the day. What is the difference between art and craft? Better yet, what is the difference between fine art and fine craft? Is it merely the difference between utility and decor? But what if something encompasses both utility and aesthetics? How would it be classified then? Is it the difference between using technical skill or ability to achieve an end and creating something tangible imbued with your spirituality meant only to stir the senses? But again, both can exist in the same object. So where is the line between art and craft drawn and does it matter anywhere other than on an application to a juried fine arts show? (just for instance) AND has that line begun to blur?

Talk amongst yourselves. I believe today I will stitch and I'll be back tomorrow!
at 11:31 AM

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Back when ACC's art classes were in the Rio Grande campus, there was a quote on a wall: "One who works with his hands is a laborer; one who works with his hands and head is a craftsman; and one who works with his hands, head, and heart is an artist." What do you think?
Carol

January 8, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Bead-Mused said...

I think that probably encompasses the idea -- using your heart would definitely qualify as imbuing an object with your spirituality.

I do belive the line is becoming more and more blurred, though. What are your thoughts on that?

Nice to hear from you again!
Theresa

January 8, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Anonymous said...

Nice you are back, too.
I once puzzled on the thought of if an artist could not do art, would they still be an artist. I finally decided that the art would out and that even the most mundane task would acquire an artistic hue. Back when spoons were made by hand, some were merely functional, while others became graceful and even adorned. When eating at a salad bar, I arrange the items in a pleasing fashion. My husband notices that it looks pretty.
So I think that while someone can become adept at a skill, without an artistic bent their work will remain craft.
I think the blurring between the two is happening mainly due to marketing hype to get people to believe that they can easily become 'artists.' This further ignores what an artist puts into their creations, minimalizing the value of it.
Is what you do art or craft? I think it depends on your intent. As your husband has said, you do best when you focus on creating, not on what will sell. Your market knows when you have put part of yourself in your work and they respond to it. You can go to any church bazaar and see the difference.
Maybe it is time for a new term for art that is made with 'craft' items.
Carol

January 9, 2009 at 9:56 AM
Bead-Mused said...

I don't think true artists can NOT make art. It might hurt if they didn't. There is definitely a distinction between a technician standing at a machine turning out plain glassware and the glassblower making one of a kind works. I think the cookie cutter wood cut outs for the yard are definitely craft, even though they are turned out one at a time by hand! But it's been a difficult road trying to convince the world at large that beaded jewelry can be art.

I had a chuckle at your salad bar arrangements!

January 9, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Anonymous said...

Yeah, it's terrible. I space the cucumber slices around the edge of the plate and sprinkle the broccoli and tomato pieces over them (kind of alternately) with the lettuce, mushroom, and egg in the middle. The blue cheese dressing is swirled over the egg with the sunflower seeds as a central garnish. It looks like a beaded cabochon.
Carol

January 10, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Bead-Mused said...

Now that's worthy of a picture. I bet you could translate it into beadwork, too!

Theresa

January 10, 2009 at 8:43 PM

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