tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281883476739158489.post8058032018577581063..comments2023-10-10T08:26:17.996-05:00Comments on Rayela's Fiber Focus: You make stuff. Are you an artist or a crafter?Rachel Bielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14804950102480086440noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281883476739158489.post-61546202636283567432009-11-13T04:58:56.518-06:002009-11-13T04:58:56.518-06:00"I find this discussion especially frustratin..."I find this discussion especially frustrating because in the long run, I don't really care about these labels. All of it is subjective, the market is whimsical, and what I think is really important is that people are excited about making stuff."<br /><br />This is a neverending discussion, but a true food for thought. I couldn't agree more with you. "Labels" are only a way to cathalogue (conveniently) things that are scattered. Although we need labels and organization, in terms of study, commerce, teaching... I honestly find them quite limitating when it comes down to the actual degree (in fine sculpture, in my case). Maybe in some way, there still are many preconcepts in the art schools due to a few tabus. Like my teachers accused me of making too "small sulptures" because I didn't identify with concrete megalithic pieces as themselves... I sincerely didn't leave university with a smille on my face, I don't practice my degree and ionly now, 5 years later do I truly realise how much these concepts depressed me and chopped off my strength. <br />Anyway, the real freedom I found was through crafts. Or whatever you want to call what I do. Because I'm free to explore whatever media I like, as long as I'm making things of my own... then, I'm happy.sara aireshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796618063009953116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281883476739158489.post-6956920939114021402009-11-06T22:45:34.342-06:002009-11-06T22:45:34.342-06:00All of these comments have such great insight! Ma...All of these comments have such great insight! Many thanks to all of you! I hope others keep contributing to this important discussion.Rachel Bielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804950102480086440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281883476739158489.post-69562194598698165102009-11-06T16:12:42.278-06:002009-11-06T16:12:42.278-06:00When you go through the college system you quickly...When you go through the college system you quickly learn to re-identify subjects, so that pottery becomes 'ceramics', fabric becomes 'textiles' and painting becomes 'fine art painting' as opposed to fine art sculpture. These are useful and professional identifying headings for those within the creative industry, but often confusing for those outside, but then there are often confusing job titles within the medical profession for example, that help to identify specific tasks within that profession. Why should the creative profession be any different?<br /><br />I have a degree in constructed textiles which makes me a designer, but if I choose to produce hand woven textiles then that makes me a craftsperson. If on the other hand, I decide to produce a woven 3-dimensional sculpture, that could make me a textile artist. These titles are not really flippant, they are descriptive as to the approach you take to your work. <br /><br />The word 'craft', at least speaking from the perspective of Europe, tends to create images associated with the amateur and the word is often frowned upon within European colleges and art schools. The snearing remark 'craft equals crap' is often used by students and tutors alike, particularly by those who consider themselves to be on the artistic rather than craft side of the creative element. <br /><br />There is no real merit in the remark but it does tend to show up the friction created by titles.<br /><br />I suppose we live in a world where words matter. The old adage about sticks and stones never really held true, as descriptive titles are what define us and the ill use of a title can hurt. If we are asked what we do, no one really means in your spare time, they really mean how do I identify you. If someone says that they are a shopkeeper, librarian or doctor then there are automatically a set of tags that will pigeon hole that person. If another says artist or craftsperson, the same will happen, but perhaps our peers will judge us more harshly that the general public.<br /><br />Anyway, thanks for an interesting and thought provoking article.John Hopperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13495250254811460833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281883476739158489.post-87988257174645583202009-11-05T09:13:38.756-06:002009-11-05T09:13:38.756-06:00I like this definition for what I do: An artisan (...I like this definition for what I do: An artisan (from Italian: artigiano) is a skilled manual worker who crafts items that may be functional or strictly decorative, including furniture, clothing, jewelry, household items, and tools. (from wikipedia) It elevates handwork above mere time-filling hobby but not into the pretentious self-importance some "artistes" try to sell to their clientele.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281883476739158489.post-79430764772021735272009-11-01T17:14:25.631-06:002009-11-01T17:14:25.631-06:00Nice peace on craft and art.
Once said a craftman...Nice peace on craft and art. <br />Once said a craftman with art ?<br />Sorry my poor spelling. Long time since i wrote in inglish.<br />Carlos Neves PortugalArte em casca de ovoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14284938140116627765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281883476739158489.post-28530721784638046212009-11-01T15:17:14.066-06:002009-11-01T15:17:14.066-06:00A great saying goes:
"He who works with his ...A great saying goes:<br /><br />"He who works with his hands is a laborer.<br /><br />He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.<br /><br />He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist." <br /><br />For all intent and purpose, I like sticking with these as definitions.<br /><br />and... in saying that....... it truly is all about "intent and purpose". <br /><br />If you are creating things as a 'hobby' (defined as "An activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure."), then your intent and purpose is truly different than an artist who's desire is for recognition and monetary reimbursement for what he/she does. <br /><br />It is when these two things meet in the same space that you have the 'war of art vs craft', in which there can be no winner (as is the outcome of any war). <br /><br />Some things I muse on are:<br /><br />1. That a 'successful' artist is usually one that is proclaimed as such by others <br /><br />and <br /><br />2. That a successful 'crafter' is usually one that is proclaimed by the crafter themselves.DreamWovenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17999854503954825237noreply@blogger.com