As I have said before, in my style of art I usually waver between total non-objective abstract painting and figurative abstraction. Figurative in the sense of not just figures or faces but portraying anything that is from life, or refers to or symbolizes anything from life or nature. Recently I have been creating more figurative work and therefore thinking a lot about what I am trying to say with the images.
Not to say that the non-objective work doesn't have a lot of thought behind it, it is just an entirely different engine if you will. When I paint non-objectively I am creating on a new level with a new language. I mean I define what the viewer sees and what they see is something they have not only never seen before, but something that they can't draw immediate conclusions about; something that conjures up no images or thoughts from any objects or people or landscapes or anything.
I am not altogether sure that the phrase impossible monsters is not a compliment, I would be pleased if someone said this about my work. And I am not saying that Goya is even referring to non-objective paintings as fantasy and reason as objective art, I'm just using his quote as a metaphor for this.
But what about the opposite: reason abandoned by fantasy? - When this happens you get the Vulcans, (from the Star Trek universe, yes I am nerd I know) who in their total logical world often fail to understand the humans and they way they express themselves so thoroughly.
What about applying this idea of total reason to government, where countries have tried to control artistic expression. Russia in the early 20th century (and now again seemingly), current day China, early 20th century Germany. In all these cases there is a reaction of underground expression. Oppression breeds a reaction of cultural evolution. Obviously one does not want to be oppressed creatively by a government, but in cases where this happens there is often a lot of great art (music, painting, literature...) that happens in reaction. (And at great risk to the artist).
Not to say that the non-objective work doesn't have a lot of thought behind it, it is just an entirely different engine if you will. When I paint non-objectively I am creating on a new level with a new language. I mean I define what the viewer sees and what they see is something they have not only never seen before, but something that they can't draw immediate conclusions about; something that conjures up no images or thoughts from any objects or people or landscapes or anything.
"Fantasy, abandoned by reason, produces impossible monsters; united with it, she is the mother of the arts and the origin of marvels." -Francisco Goya
I am not altogether sure that the phrase impossible monsters is not a compliment, I would be pleased if someone said this about my work. And I am not saying that Goya is even referring to non-objective paintings as fantasy and reason as objective art, I'm just using his quote as a metaphor for this.
But what about the opposite: reason abandoned by fantasy? - When this happens you get the Vulcans, (from the Star Trek universe, yes I am nerd I know) who in their total logical world often fail to understand the humans and they way they express themselves so thoroughly.
What about applying this idea of total reason to government, where countries have tried to control artistic expression. Russia in the early 20th century (and now again seemingly), current day China, early 20th century Germany. In all these cases there is a reaction of underground expression. Oppression breeds a reaction of cultural evolution. Obviously one does not want to be oppressed creatively by a government, but in cases where this happens there is often a lot of great art (music, painting, literature...) that happens in reaction. (And at great risk to the artist).
"Free speech is essential to education, especially to a liberal education, which encourages the search for truths in art and science. If expression is restricted, the range of inquiry is also curtailed... The beneficiaries of a free society have a duty to pursue the truth and to protect the freedom of expression that makes possible the search for a new enlightenment."
- Norman Dorsen
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2 comments:
they can't control us.
Lady M.
http://ladym1.wordpress.com
It seems Goya is saying that fantasy when combined with reason creates the marvels of art, so both are required. One without the other is unpredictable, but as you suggest, probably can on occasion produce great things by virtue of the desire to unite again. Interesting to consider to what extent both are needed. Maybe that changes in different times and places.
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