Many different emails seem to find their way to my inbox. Sometimes the number is so overwhelming that I delete items almost indiscriminately. Last week an email from the Metropolitan Museum of Art caught my eye and simply refused to be deleted. My week was hectic, as usual, but that email held its ground. Finally, I had a few moments on Saturday morning to open it and give it some attention. I clicked and it led me to about a 15 minute talk by Thomas Campbell, the director of the museum. It is worth a listen.
A couple of threads in the talk particularly intrigued me:
I would be curious about your thoughts as you listen. A couple of threads in the talk particularly intrigued me:
- He speaks about tapestries and the role they played in their time and their value now. Hmmm - interesting to apply to the realm of art quilts - as chronicles of our times and how they will be viewed in the future.
- Mr. Campbell talks about the role of the curator and intention behind exhibits. Exciting thoughts to entertain as we design our own shows.
Thanks for sharing the link to this TED talk. Mr. Campbell is an amazing speaker. He seems to have a passion to bring historical works of art to the "masses" of today.
ReplyDeleteI agree on how prevalent images are in our life's. It is all about the sound bit in news or the flashing of pictures.
We are a culture of the most part of get it done quickly.
This is part of his talk that saddens me. Because I am a victim, of this as well .
As a fairly new art quilter I wonder how many of the prolific art quilts will stand the test of time.
At this point I just hope my kids won't use them as rags someday.
Somethings made will become "art that stands the test of time" others may become great art. It is the future curators and art historians that may decide.
I question some "art" that I see in galleries. I have a hard time with abstract painting mostly. A lot of time I see it as paint streaks on a canvas with a high price tag. Someone I know challenged me on this and said if you can get $6000. for it that you try to paint it.
For now I will just limp along making things that please me. Examine things that help me grow as a person. And make "art" the best I can.
His talk does want me to passionately visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art!
Jo
Hi Jo,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. I think the best guide for any art quilter today is to create works that you are passionate about. It doesn't sound like the abstract work that you see in some galleries speaks to you. That is fine. It may strike a chord for other observers, so let them buy it. I suspect that the works that sell were made by artists who were using the abstract to make a statement of something that they felt.
As long as you continue to make things that please you, and you continue to learn the basics of design, your own works will steadily improve as well as your pleasure in them.
Hope you can get to the Metropolitan some day!
Judy