Baren Digest               Wednesday, 2 May 2001       Volume 15 : Number 1408


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From: John and Jan Telfer <jtelfer@iinet.net.au>
Date: Wed, 2 May 01 00:04:02 -0000
Subject: [Baren 14314] Phone Number 

Jean Eger-Womack

Would you please email me off line please as all my emails to you are 
bouncing back?

I am looking forward to meeting many of you when I come to Vancouver, 
Seattle, Portland and San Francisco.  Only 28 more sleeps!

Jan
(in Perth still, Western Australia)

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From: James G Mundie <jimandkatemundie@juno.com>
Date: Tue, 1 May 2001 11:42:26 -0400
Subject: [Baren 14315] Re: appropriation of imagery 

Art without appropriation?  Impossible.  However, isn't 'appropriation'
just a less polite synonym for 'influence'?  

History and practice prove that artists can and will borrow images from
where ever and whenever they find inspiration.  Innovations and
traditions spread across cultures and genres.  If Albrecht Durer had
never travelled to Italy, his work would have been the poorer for it.
Where would Van Gogh have been without Japanese prints?  How would Moghul
miniature painting have developed without exposure to Greece?  Whither
sosaku hanga without prints from the West? 

By borrowing the signifiers of another artform or culture, an artist of
intelligence, taste and skill can elevate and honor both traditions. 
Printmaking is always touted as "the democratic art," so what more
appropriate medium in which this practice should flourish?

Much as I have always loved their design, I would never 'rip off' the
Haida of the Pacific Northwest in order to make a quick buck on coffee
mugs or T-shirts.  But, if called upon to illustrate a book of Haida
storytelling, I would certainly call upon their visual tradition for my
images.  And while Alan may be loath to even hint at a totem pole in one
of his compositions, why not use the idea of the totem - a concept found
in many cultures around the globe - to express something of your own. 
There is wisdom to be found everywhere if one knows how to look, the
trick is to put that acquired wisdom to practice.

An artist can never divorce oneself from one's influences.  An artist who
has never seen anything other than dime store prints of ducks and
sailboats, or 'sofa-sized oils' of bullfights is probably going to work
in that vein - and likely make a packet, too, as there is a wide portion
of the public hungry for that stuff.  An artist with a wider exposure has
more to draw upon and will hopefully put all of that to its best use. 

So, don't fear 'appropriation'; rather be careful to appropriate
artfully, with honor and integrity.

Jim Mundie
http://missioncreep.com/mundie/index.htm


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From: Alan <amills@mac.com>
Date: Tue, 1 May 2001 09:30:01 -0700
Subject: [Baren 14316] Re: insensitivity... 


Gillyin sent a private post and Julio's was on the Baren server.
I feel it is important to clearify and make picture clear my position 
and reason for approaching the subject of appropriation.

>hi again Alan--i really dont get where you are coming from     because it
>seem s to me   from your last post to Baren     that you are not only
>insensitive to women's issues    but also to ethnic groups(Japanese) and
>indigenous peoples  issues...
>just curious as to HOW you "know" that the Japanese dont truly honor others
>and what the heck does mean ???     gillyin

Dear Wo,  (Politically correct version of Women)
You have me sized up all wrong.
I am not insensitive to women's or people's issues at all. Nothing 
could be further from the truth.
We celebrate over 35 years of married life and you don't do that 
being insensitive.

>just curious as to HOW you "know" that the Japanese dont truly honor others
The statement is not mine and is not directed at a any one group of people.
I quoted a long time Japanese friend in Calgary re the customs in 
Japan re Imperial honour.
Go check it out and you will find this out for yourself.
When you find out about the Japanese customs you will realize that it 
is not what we experience on the North American continent and I find 
it quiet interesting the differences in customs.

As far as the statement

>  "the ancestors of the imagery are the persons who feel the are
>  wronged even though the originators are dead hundreds of years "

It simply a statement of fact based on the policy of the Public 
Gallery system in Canada.
More simply put you cannot use a design or image that was made by 
indigenous people for monetary gains.   When I asked the question 
about appropriation in Japan it was a question of curiousity and 
nothing more.   I am only interested to find out how Dave Bull, who 
is not Japanese,
is able to copy and sell the tradionally images as done by Japanese 
master printers from hundreds of year ago.  I gather there is no 
copyright remaining, yet if he tried that here he would be in much 
disgrace.

Julio wrote.....
>but rather as craftmen, simple highly
>skilled workers making prints for a living and following in a centuries old
>tradition...while in the process trying to keep the wonderful japanese
>hanga technique alive for future generations.

I find this admirable, but with a small understanding of the Japanese 
customs, I think there is some smoke and mirrors in the Customs that 
is not familiar to most people on the North American, and maybe other 
continents. History will determine as it so often has. As the 
Japanese craftsmen come to the rescue of their art, will Dave 
maintain his acquired statis within the community.  I hope so for his 
sake as he has worked extremely hard and marketed his skills and 
craft effectively.

So you see people, I am not insensitive to anybody or any group.
What has been evolving for 15 years here in Canada is that the 
sanctity and ownership of a people's history is important and is not 
be take for purposes of making a profit by outsiders.

I trust you will appreciate to logic and understand of my enquiries 
and statements.

Regards

Alan

PS
This could conceivably be the last post for a while as I am short 
listed ... for a position in Ottawa.
Yes it has to do with art related functions.  Enough for now.

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From: "K Chvojka" <kchvojka@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 01 May 2001 12:54:29 -0400
Subject: [Baren 14317] ink question 

<html>
<DIV>
<P>Recently I purchased some of Graphic Chemical's water soluble ink to experiment with and have found it to be extremely tacky - is this typical of the ink or was I just sent some old ink that has become tacky?<BR></P></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<P>In response to Eli Griggs questions:</P>
<DIV></DIV>
<P><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">&quot;</FONT>What sort of tools are you using and what are you using them in: hardwood, softwood, lino, plaster or Fimo? &quot;--- I am using some Swiss woodcarving tools/chipcarving knives purchased a few years ago from Woodworkers and I am using them in Birch plywood.</P>
<P>&quot;How are you keeping them sharp now? &quot;--- I am sharpening them on a white Arkansas stone. </P>
<P><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">Kathy</FONT></P>
<P><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">Michigan, USA</FONT></P>

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From: "Maria Arango" <maria@mariarango.com>
Date: Tue, 1 May 2001 10:13:46 -0700
Subject: [Baren 14318] prints prints prints charset="iso-8859-1" 

Finally got the website updated with my "leftovers gallery" or perhaps
"pocket prints gallery"? :-)
http://www.1000woodcuts.com/handprintedcards/nature.html

Anyhow, just to offset and contrast, I'm finished with several more, among
them a 20" x 30" and another "pot" 22" x 30". I am working on a series of
even smaller cards, 3" x 4"'s and cutting another 24" x 36". You think the
larger works force me to do smaller works, or viceversa? Images coming up at
a later date. 105 down, 895 to go.

Health to all,
Maria

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Maria Arango
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
http://www.1000woodcuts.com
maria@mariarango.com
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>


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From: ArtfulCarol@aol.com
Date: Tue, 1 May 2001 13:12:51 EDT
Subject: [Baren 14319] Re: appropriation of imagery 

In my opinion:
Influence --YES
Relatedness--YES
Resonance YES
Appropriation--Red Light.

Be careful it is not deliberate copyright infringement , which protects 
artists.  We have discussed this before.  As you may remember I have been 
involved in such a case. The judgment was that my town had to publish an 
apology and correction in several newspapers , which was all that I was 
after.  The judge also awarded $10,000 to me.  The Mayor quit his day job, 
resigned as mayor, sold his house and moved to Vero Beach!  All this could 
have been avoided if they had asked me whether they could use my drawing for 
their New Year Card.  I would have said "Yes". Instead white-out was used 
over my signature and the card sent to several thousand addresses without my 
knowledge.
Since then I have been very positively  and happily connected with the town, 
Chamber of commerce, Historical society, etc... have only good things to say.
This was covered in a letter from the Editor, Artist Magazine, Dont remember 
the exact publication year. . I am not at home to look it up.
Carol Lyons





 


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From: "kate courchaine" <katecourchaine@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 01 May 2001 17:16:15 
Subject: [Baren 14320] Re: ink question 

Kathy,

Did you use graphic chem. water soluble vehicle with the ink?  I just tried 
the GC H2O ink recently and it printed very nicely - was not too tacky.  I 
used near 50% vehicle to ink ratio - try that.

Kate Courchaine



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From: "Philip Smith" <SmithArt@Pacifier.com>
Date: Tue, 1 May 2001 14:07:25 -0700
Subject: [Baren 14321] Re: prints prints prints charset="iso-8859-1" 

You know Maria, if you live another 45 years you'll only have to produce
1.65 prints per month, and that's a little less than 20 prints a year. If I
can produce 1/10th that amount in the same amount of time [I'll be 90 then]
I'll be doing great.
Looking forward to seeing your new efforts.
Philip
Hammond, OR
USA


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From: "Daniel L. Dew" <ddew0001@tampabay.rr.com>
Date: Tue, 01 May 2001 17:19:32 -0400
Subject: [Baren 14322] I O.Ko 

surgery went good. hurts like heck. good drtugs tho.

dan dew


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From: "Philip Smith" <SmithArt@Pacifier.com>
Date: Tue, 1 May 2001 14:38:24 -0700
Subject: [Baren 14323] Re: I O.Ko charset="iso-8859-1" 

Danel,...'glad all went well!! They did get the correct knee, right? And
watch those drtugs!!
Philip
Hammond, OR
USA


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From: Claude Villeneuve <klaud@sympatico.ca>
Date: Tue, 01 May 2001 17:45:05 -0400
Subject: [Baren 14324] Re: I O.Ko 

Dan:

Glad the surgery went well. Seems the drugs are working :-)

Claude

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From: Aqua4tis@aol.com
Date: Tue, 1 May 2001 18:43:31 EDT
Subject: [Baren 14325] Re: I O.Ko 


daniel
   very glad to hear youre ok    thank goodness for drugs!!!!!!!!!!!!
:-)
georga

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From: Kris Alder <krisalder@cc.usu.edu>
Date: Tue, 01 May 2001 20:43:12 -0600
Subject: [Baren 14326] RE: I O.Ko "Daniel L. Dew" <ddew0001@tampabay.rr.com> 

Gosh, Dan.  How many of those drtugs did you take?  :)
Glad to hear all went well.  Good luck and speedy recovery to you.

Kris


*****************************************
Kristine Alder  
Printmaker/Art Educator/Book Artist
Logan, UT  email: krisalder@cc.usu.edu
                  imakeprints@hotmail.com
*****************************************


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From: "Maria Arango" <maria@mariarango.com>
Date: Tue, 1 May 2001 20:54:43 -0700
Subject: [Baren 14327] Re: prints prints prints charset="iso-8859-1" 

> You know Maria, if you live another 45 years you'll only have to produce
> 1.65 prints per month, and that's a little less than 20 prints a
> year. If I
> can produce 1/10th that amount in the same amount of time [I'll
> be 90 then]
> I'll be doing great.
> Looking forward to seeing your new efforts.

Well, here's the pot; will get a better scan sometime soon, tough to get the
embossing to show without over-sharpening the rest of the image:
http://www.1000woodcuts.com/fullsize/potofgold.html

And here's some guys out on a limb (this one was fun!):
http://www.1000woodcuts.com/fullsize/maze.html

"Have" to produce is hardly the way I look at it. I am a woman obsessed! I
love this stuff, love it love it love it love it!!!
Thanks Philip :-)

Maria


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From: Legreenart@cs.com
Date: Wed, 2 May 2001 00:50:32 EDT
Subject: [Baren 14328] Re: Baren Digest v15 #1407 


A friend & I are going to be in New York in July. I would like to hear about 
Any print  workshops scheduled at Lower East Side or elsewhere in the area.

Yours, 
Le Green
Stonemetal Press
Email: legreenart@cs.com


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From: "Garth Hammond" <Garthart@earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 1 May 2001 23:04:02 -0600
Subject: [Baren 14329] Re: ink question charset="iso-8859-1" 

RE:Kathy,

Did you use graphic chem. water soluble vehicle with the ink?  I just tried
the GC H2O ink recently and it printed very nicely - was not too tacky.  I
used near 50% vehicle to ink ratio - try that.

Kate Courchaine

Kate, I agree with you my experience with Graphic Chemical water based is
good,  i use about 50/50 also I sort of dead eye it.

Garth



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From: ArtfulCarol@aol.com
Date: Wed, 2 May 2001 07:38:28 EDT
Subject: [Baren 14330] Re: I O.Ko 

Happy to hear surgery went well and the docs could read your message!
Carol

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End of Baren Digest v15 #1408
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