Though I’m always reluctant to say the words “I am an artist” or “I am a photographer” out loud, I’ve secretly thought them…maybe in subconscious hopes that it will begin to sound less pretentious to my own ears. Through teaching both of these subjects, it’s hard to not put my own skill or creative tendencies in context of what I am teaching (both in photography and art appreciation) my students. This was especially true last week as we dove into Impressionism in art appreciation and I poured through one of my favorite sources Art: A New History (Paul Johnson).
Impressionism is usually known to have not been widely accepted in its beginnings (although I’ve read some opinions that that has been exaggerated). That changed over time…but at what cost? Johnson said:
“But as always with artistic successes, there were drawbacks. One was a certain loss of individuality. Art is essentially a personal response to the visual world, and an artist should always be wary of belonging to a coterie. Of the artists commonly classified as Impressionists, it was those who were emphatically not impressionistic but realists who kept their individuality–Degas and Mary Cassatt, Toulouse-Lautrec and Caillebotte.”
What’s my point? With my “photographer’s mind” I immediately thought of my own art form. With the widespread ability (Travesty? No, I kid.) to easily obtain a camera comes a loss of individuality. In certain genres of photography especially, there’s an alarming amount of repetition. Not to say I haven’t been guilty of it too, but with the internet, its like a brushfire of…bad ideas? Or one good idea copied relentlessly until it is so deteriorated as to lose its value. Using tracing paper well over an original does not make me an artist. I’m not so worried about labels/perceptions as I am over my continuation of growth. At the same time–shouting I’M DIFFERENT! from the rooftops won’t accomplish anything either. So it’s no good to be different for the sake of being different.
But I ask myself, at the risk of sounding ego-centric, what do I have to say and how can I say it best?
7 responses so far ↓
mom // October 27, 2009 at 4:35 pm |
I like peeking into your head sometimes, thanks.
Megan // October 29, 2009 at 10:42 am |
I love how you verbalized a thought I couldn’t seem to express myself – not always necessarily about art/photography – but very fitting for you – but for me, in the things that I do, how original am I, or how much am I just copying what I see of others? And is it for the sake of being original or because this is what I really want to do? Ah! You could even say this happens in house decor, like on HGTV. How much of it is really new, or how much of it is just following current trends? Maybe we should write Dear Genevieve. (She’s from MN after all!)
laurahinely // October 29, 2009 at 6:41 pm |
Megan–I don’t think I realized how applicable this was to other things until you said that. Especially with our home environments…we are tempted to create a home with things that are marketed to us. Fashion too. It’s hard to be discerning and true to self sometimes!
alison // October 30, 2009 at 9:56 am |
This is fascinating and just what I like to read on a Friday morning. Madeleine would have some interesting perspectives (L’engle, not your niece…though I would like to hear her thoughts on the subject). I’ve really been discouraged on the “fashion” front. I’m going through this weird transition where I feel a lot of pressure to dress like everyone else…It was so much easier in high school when I wore absolutely whatever I felt like wearing (which explains why pictures can be found of me in goth, raver, sorority girl, dancer, and homeless person phases. I was really weird. I miss it!).
When I was in music, I struggled a lot with holding to my own individuality to the point that singing because tortuous. I still have a an interesting relationship with music.
I think I may be talking about something completely different now…but, I miss you. I love seeing our pictures and can’t wait to see you at Christmastime!
p.s. sorry if this comment reads like a schizophrenic person wrote it. :)
rose // October 30, 2009 at 10:01 am |
maybe the question is needs to be why do we think being original and being influenced by others are somehow opposites? no great work of art, film, music, technology, cuisine…etc was created apart from a foundation laid down before or from the input of others whether indirectly or directly. this may not be what you were pointing at but this has been one of the latest topic of discussion in our house.
emmaooooo // October 31, 2009 at 9:38 pm |
I think you should call yourself an artist/photographer. I’ve thought that for a long time.
mom // November 8, 2009 at 10:37 pm |
good thoughts Rose, reminds me a bit of something I read..”there is nothing new under the sun”