Someone said, maybe a lot of talented people are not trying to get
into this show....this is why we are seeing some of the same
artists over again. I don't know. I know it will be a few years
before I can consider trying so maybe I will find the answer out
then.
Kim, I don’t think that people are not applying to the show. If you
look at the website, it says that more than 1,000 artists applied. I
was talking to someone who lends art objects from overseas to the
Smithsonian on occasion and I said that I’d applied several times.
He knew some people on the committee which selects the jury and
mentioned that they want to have good attendance and prefer to have
recognized artists in the show. The Washington Craft Show and the
ACC shows (at least the Baltimore and Charlotte, N.C. shows which
I’ve attended) often have many of the same artists as the
Smithsonian show does. I think that it’s just the way that these top
level shows select the participants. It’s interesting to walk the
isles at these shows and notice how many attending are wearing
something by one of the exhibitors.
Donna in VA
Wouldn't hurt. Most really professional painters and many
enamelists compound their own pigments. Most really professional
jewelry shops (including ours) mill their own stock and alloy their
own metals. My brother the inlayer rarely buys rocks, he goes
outside and collects them. The nearer the source the better..
Mmmm John, I’m not sure that most painters compound their own
pigments these days. At least not those that I know. I’ll start
asking around though…
As far as milling stock goes, I do mill about 95% of my gold, bronze
and sterling stock from ingot-- sheet, rod, wire and plate. Draw my
own tube as well. (Just check the archives for that thread.) I do
this for a variety of reasons as I know that you do, but I don’t
believe that it is mandatory for others to do so.
As far as your brother the inlayer finding his own rocks: I suppose
that this is the point. Where do you draw the line at “found
objects”. I understand that your brother facets or somehow alters the
found objects (rocks) that he uses. How is that different than
altering a stop sign and using it in a piece, or deconstructing a
typewriter and using the keys (although many are doing so and might
do well to consider the work of Kiff Slemmons)? Boris Bally contracts
with the highway department to recycle their retired road signs. How
much nearer the source can you get?
The craftsmanship that I’ve seen on your site looks great. As I’ve
said, craftsmanship is of serious import in my life and work. But I
can’t see drawing such strict parameters as to what it is applied to,
material or end product wise.
I’m off to NY and to teach in Florida.
Andy Cooperman
Why such black and white thinking? Can't jewelry sometimes be art?
In a word no. It's that simple.
Only no for either someone with no imagination, a lack of skill,
someone who is jealous of the creative ability of others, or someone
who just wants to argue. If my customers uses the word artist to
describe how they perceive my work, then one who is an artist makes
art, and it would seem that my jewelry is art. Rather than the
question, what makes something art, I would challe= nge what makes
something not art. Further, I challenge anyone to go to Harold
O’Connors website, and tell me why his work would not be considered
art. Because it is wearable does not make it not art. If you put a
pin back on a Renoir, would it still be art?
Richard Hart
This is my first time pitching my thoughts.
Jewelry can be art. I have been a wax model maker for Henry Dunay for
the past 10 years. And believe me, his work is art. He is very high
end. He commands high prices for his ART, because he is an artist of
the highest regard. He does not do craft shows, he does trade shows
like Basel, Switzerland. He is on a whole other level folks. I wish I
were there, but I’m not. If you ever get to Basel, check him out, as
well as the other artists who show there.
Judith Frey
212. 675.5302
If you ever get to Basel, check him out
I’ve never been to Basel, but they have a website with many of their
vendors. Don’t have the address handy, but it’s actually Basel World
- google will find it. It IS the premiere jewelry show in the world.
To present a cogent response would take some time that I don't
have at the moment.
I’ll tell you what, Kevin: When you have some time, check out this
page http://www.bethrosengard.com/misc/art.html and tell me why the
works on the left are not or could not conceivably be art, while the
works on the right are or could be!
Beth 