Art vs. Commerce #3675
It's an age-old conflict, so I'm well aware that I'm not the first nor will I be the last to be grappling with it. When I'm working on commercial art, I'm wondering if I'm expressing myself fully as an artist; when I'm working on "pure art" I'm wondering if I'll make any money with it. In fact, I've been straddling this line for nearly 30 years, usually leaning toward whatever presents an income-producing opportunity commercial piece over the art.
But, this week, while I waited word from a few clients on pending jobs, I took the time to work on an art piece that is not only fun and irreverent, but pretty much sums up my view of art history, and the art vs. commerce issue too. I modestly have titled it, "The History of Art", and it may be the first piece I did where I actually purchased a book with the express purpose of using it as collage material for this very piece, and followed through on that idea!
That sad book was a remainder at Barnes & Noble, and I can't say it was a noble idea to chop up the poor thing, but the book was inexpensive, as were the reproductions. It hurt my heart to pick up a blade and cut out that first picture, but it got easier as I went along, sort of like a murderer who has pangs of guilt at first, but soon gets past that inconvenience. I respect books, and have never done this, but this time the book was purchased a tthe beginning with the idea of choping it, so that made it ok in my rationalization.
The art peice started tentatively, but has taken on a life of its own, and is very funny with, among other things, the Mona Lisa being painted on a canvas that includes a yellow Happy Face, from the Sistine ceiling is the famous detail of god touching Adam's hand, but in between is Alfred E. Neuman, begging the quesiton of just who is god? We all have our own, I guess.
Superman and Lois Lane keep making appearances in this piece, as does Vincent Van Gogh, partially dressed as Superman. You get the idea - it is the pop notion that everything is grist for the pop culture/satireical mill, especially in the minds of those of us who grew up on TV and this so-called "information age" with heads flooded by images of all types.
Even if the statement I'm making is not entirely original, it is mine, and I'm having a ball doing it. That's a very good sign. For right now, I'm not worry ing about makinig money form my art, but just making art.
But, this week, while I waited word from a few clients on pending jobs, I took the time to work on an art piece that is not only fun and irreverent, but pretty much sums up my view of art history, and the art vs. commerce issue too. I modestly have titled it, "The History of Art", and it may be the first piece I did where I actually purchased a book with the express purpose of using it as collage material for this very piece, and followed through on that idea!
That sad book was a remainder at Barnes & Noble, and I can't say it was a noble idea to chop up the poor thing, but the book was inexpensive, as were the reproductions. It hurt my heart to pick up a blade and cut out that first picture, but it got easier as I went along, sort of like a murderer who has pangs of guilt at first, but soon gets past that inconvenience. I respect books, and have never done this, but this time the book was purchased a tthe beginning with the idea of choping it, so that made it ok in my rationalization.
The art peice started tentatively, but has taken on a life of its own, and is very funny with, among other things, the Mona Lisa being painted on a canvas that includes a yellow Happy Face, from the Sistine ceiling is the famous detail of god touching Adam's hand, but in between is Alfred E. Neuman, begging the quesiton of just who is god? We all have our own, I guess.
Superman and Lois Lane keep making appearances in this piece, as does Vincent Van Gogh, partially dressed as Superman. You get the idea - it is the pop notion that everything is grist for the pop culture/satireical mill, especially in the minds of those of us who grew up on TV and this so-called "information age" with heads flooded by images of all types.
Even if the statement I'm making is not entirely original, it is mine, and I'm having a ball doing it. That's a very good sign. For right now, I'm not worry ing about makinig money form my art, but just making art.
Labels: the working artist
posted by Rich Sigberman at
6:16 AM
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