Today's postings
- [Baren 30454] Re: Baren Digest (old) V34 #3420 ("Angee Lennard")
- [Baren 30455] Re: Julio on causes and escapism/Who's afraid of the Woodblock Print? ("Ellen Shipley")
- [Baren 30456] Re: Baren Digest (old) V34 #3420 ("Marilynn Smith")
- [Baren 30457] Re: Julio on causes and escapism/Who's afraid of the Woodblock Print? ("Ramsey Household")
Message 1
From: "Angee Lennard"
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 07:29:59 -0600
Subject: [Baren 30454] Re: Baren Digest (old) V34 #3420
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Hello Baren,
My name is Angee, and I recently joined the forum. I have been quietly
listening to all this conversation about politics, exchanges, and
printmaking. I feel as though Julio really explained the situation
well. And John defensively misinterpreted. it. While in the past,
Baren has done a politically-relevant theme, in this last exchange,
the idea of "causes" was shot down specifically because it was
political, and people didn't want to either have their feelings hurt
or to hurt others feelings. NOT because one was already done. John
suggested that non-print related topics be moved to Baren After 5. Are
printmaking and politics not related? I hold myself, and my
printmaking community, responsible to be politically aware, and
encourage discourse about current social and political issues are
pressing at the time. Never has individuals feelings been a deciding
factor when creating art. I create because I feel I have a
responsibility to my community to create work that has the ability to
incite change, begin dialog, and question viewpoints.
Similarly, when an artist creates a piece that either challenges my
opinions, or even outright denies my opinions, it doesn't hurt my
feelings. Some times the work has a lasting impression, and quietly
alters how I approach a topic. Other times, I reject the viewpoint of
the artist. But never do I reject the artist.
With all this said, I really don't care if there is a political
exchange. My personal politics are carried through to every print that
I pull. But, I would hope that in the future themes are not dismissed
because they could potentially hurt others feelings.
Angee
My name is Angee, and I recently joined the forum. I have been quietly
listening to all this conversation about politics, exchanges, and
printmaking. I feel as though Julio really explained the situation
well. And John defensively misinterpreted. it. While in the past,
Baren has done a politically-relevant theme, in this last exchange,
the idea of "causes" was shot down specifically because it was
political, and people didn't want to either have their feelings hurt
or to hurt others feelings. NOT because one was already done. John
suggested that non-print related topics be moved to Baren After 5. Are
printmaking and politics not related? I hold myself, and my
printmaking community, responsible to be politically aware, and
encourage discourse about current social and political issues are
pressing at the time. Never has individuals feelings been a deciding
factor when creating art. I create because I feel I have a
responsibility to my community to create work that has the ability to
incite change, begin dialog, and question viewpoints.
Similarly, when an artist creates a piece that either challenges my
opinions, or even outright denies my opinions, it doesn't hurt my
feelings. Some times the work has a lasting impression, and quietly
alters how I approach a topic. Other times, I reject the viewpoint of
the artist. But never do I reject the artist.
With all this said, I really don't care if there is a political
exchange. My personal politics are carried through to every print that
I pull. But, I would hope that in the future themes are not dismissed
because they could potentially hurt others feelings.
Angee
Message 2
From: "Ellen Shipley"
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 07:15:41 -0800
Subject: [Baren 30455] Re: Julio on causes and escapism/Who's afraid of the Woodblock Print?
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Hmmm. I don't think politics is a good idea. It's such a loaded subject -- people go to war over strong beliefs -- why would we want to risk serious insult to any of our members? Some subjects are best left out of polite society.
If someone feels strongly about a political issue, s/he can always print up broadsheets and plaster the world with them. Why wait for an art Exchange?
And don't forget, we are an international group. Many people may find a heartfelt political view simply boring.
Just my two cents worth.
Ellen Shipley
http://pressing-issues.blogspot.com/
http://thepickledpen.blogspot.com/
If someone feels strongly about a political issue, s/he can always print up broadsheets and plaster the world with them. Why wait for an art Exchange?
And don't forget, we are an international group. Many people may find a heartfelt political view simply boring.
Just my two cents worth.
Ellen Shipley
http://pressing-issues.blogspot.com/
http://thepickledpen.blogspot.com/
Message 3
From: "Marilynn Smith"
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 08:39:15 -0700
Subject: [Baren 30456] Re: Baren Digest (old) V34 #3420
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Sharri, you are right the links to the very human prints were wonderful. I
would think that a figure study might be a great place to put views into
print. It would be wonderful to see what you might do. I do think often,
but most certainly not always, women are more sensitve and they can portray
human suffering with a deep sense of communication. Ii most expecially
enjoyed Kathe Kollwitz.
But I also would like to see a theme that was simply the celebration of
life. Because there are a lot of wonderful things in our corners of the
world.
Mar
would think that a figure study might be a great place to put views into
print. It would be wonderful to see what you might do. I do think often,
but most certainly not always, women are more sensitve and they can portray
human suffering with a deep sense of communication. Ii most expecially
enjoyed Kathe Kollwitz.
But I also would like to see a theme that was simply the celebration of
life. Because there are a lot of wonderful things in our corners of the
world.
Mar
Message 4
From: "Ramsey Household"
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 07:50:45 -0800
Subject: [Baren 30457] Re: Julio on causes and escapism/Who's afraid of the Woodblock Print?
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I agree with both Angee and Robin. Both are thoughtful, well presented letters. We have nothing to fear but fear itself (to paraphrase Churchill.) Printmaking has a long tradition of political statement, ie. the German Expressionists. If you don't like the exchange, don't be part of it. But don't be an impediment to others expressing their views. In these times, with all that is happening, how can we not be expressing ourselves in our art, if that is our choice.
My two cents worth,
Carolyn Ramsey
My two cents worth,
Carolyn Ramsey