- Joined
- Feb 22, 2007
- Messages
- 36
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- Location
- The Woodlands, Texas
- Website
- www.woodturningvideosplus.com
Hello to the group,
In a recent conversation, a serious multi-media art collector and gallery owner (who shall remain nameless) made some interesting comments about woodturning in general and production woodturnings specifically stating: "Production woodturnings of any type, by any woodturner, do nothing to advance the art of woodturning within the medium, or in the mind of the general public. Their simple forms sacrifice unique artistic elements, in favor of those designed strictly for speedy execution and are generally devoid of artistic creativity, or detail."
This gentleman went on to say that he felt production work (he defined "production work" as multiple forms of any woodturning project produced quickly with few artistic elements) may in fact be harming the overall impression of woodturning and its acceptance as a legitimate art form in the mind of many serious collectors and the public. He felt that all production woodturnings look too much like craft work and not real ground breaking unique artistic work, thereby nurturing the perception of our medium as a "craft" instead of an "art" within the mind of the general public. He also indicated that many of his gallery customers seemed to share these feelings as well.
So what do you think? Do you feel that production woodturnings of any type (bowls, pens, platters, hollow forms, peppermills, bottle stoppers, etc.) are harming the overall perception of woodturning by somehow forestalling the general public's acceptance of woodturning as a true art form? Do you think the current state of the woodturning arts is afforded the same respect and consideration by the general public (outside of traditional woodturning organizations) as paintings, ceramics, pottery and hot glass?
Note: This topic was discussed at a recent WC chat session, with some very good responses from the assembled group, but I wanted to seek this groups opinions as well...
In a recent conversation, a serious multi-media art collector and gallery owner (who shall remain nameless) made some interesting comments about woodturning in general and production woodturnings specifically stating: "Production woodturnings of any type, by any woodturner, do nothing to advance the art of woodturning within the medium, or in the mind of the general public. Their simple forms sacrifice unique artistic elements, in favor of those designed strictly for speedy execution and are generally devoid of artistic creativity, or detail."
This gentleman went on to say that he felt production work (he defined "production work" as multiple forms of any woodturning project produced quickly with few artistic elements) may in fact be harming the overall impression of woodturning and its acceptance as a legitimate art form in the mind of many serious collectors and the public. He felt that all production woodturnings look too much like craft work and not real ground breaking unique artistic work, thereby nurturing the perception of our medium as a "craft" instead of an "art" within the mind of the general public. He also indicated that many of his gallery customers seemed to share these feelings as well.
So what do you think? Do you feel that production woodturnings of any type (bowls, pens, platters, hollow forms, peppermills, bottle stoppers, etc.) are harming the overall perception of woodturning by somehow forestalling the general public's acceptance of woodturning as a true art form? Do you think the current state of the woodturning arts is afforded the same respect and consideration by the general public (outside of traditional woodturning organizations) as paintings, ceramics, pottery and hot glass?
Note: This topic was discussed at a recent WC chat session, with some very good responses from the assembled group, but I wanted to seek this groups opinions as well...