Zeeshan Ali
New member
Hi Tom,
Interesting discussion. I think the underline question of whether one creates art for oneself or to appeal to a larger audience has been there in one form or the other for centuries and pops up every now and then whenever "fine art" as a subject is under discussion.
I think the intent of an artist during the process of creation of art and how he/she manages the feedback afterwards are two different things. I haven't met a single artist, from any medium, who doesn't care about what other people think about his/her art. In other words they seek appreciation despite knowing not everyone would like their creation. Anyone who says they are least bothered about what others think about their art is either fooling themselves or being a snob. It is not to say that the intent of the artist during the process of creation of art is to create something that should appeal to others but rather when the artwork is out in the open for public display is when the need to be appreciated is heightened. I think most artists don't pay much attention to the purpose of appealing to masses when they are creating their art and most art which has stood the test of time came from very personal circumstances. I don't believe there exists a breed of artists who only care about appealing to themselves. If they do exist, no one but themselves knows about their creation and even then what good is that art which is hidden someplace for no one else to find and appreciate. Is it then even art or just a tool to entertain oneself?
I am only starting out in photography and don't have teaching or life experience as much as yours. I'm learning and would like your opinions on my thoughts.
Zeeshan
Interesting discussion. I think the underline question of whether one creates art for oneself or to appeal to a larger audience has been there in one form or the other for centuries and pops up every now and then whenever "fine art" as a subject is under discussion.
I think the intent of an artist during the process of creation of art and how he/she manages the feedback afterwards are two different things. I haven't met a single artist, from any medium, who doesn't care about what other people think about his/her art. In other words they seek appreciation despite knowing not everyone would like their creation. Anyone who says they are least bothered about what others think about their art is either fooling themselves or being a snob. It is not to say that the intent of the artist during the process of creation of art is to create something that should appeal to others but rather when the artwork is out in the open for public display is when the need to be appreciated is heightened. I think most artists don't pay much attention to the purpose of appealing to masses when they are creating their art and most art which has stood the test of time came from very personal circumstances. I don't believe there exists a breed of artists who only care about appealing to themselves. If they do exist, no one but themselves knows about their creation and even then what good is that art which is hidden someplace for no one else to find and appreciate. Is it then even art or just a tool to entertain oneself?
I am only starting out in photography and don't have teaching or life experience as much as yours. I'm learning and would like your opinions on my thoughts.
Zeeshan
That's a statement, Jerome, not a question. I'm not pretending, I'm just not sure. I've not had the need to appeal for some time. As I say to the barber when she shows me the back of my head after a haircut: I don't have an image problem because I don't have an image. Those I wish to appeal to died years ago.
As for my students, I usually ask them what they want out of their photos. Generally the answers revolve around some sort of appeal to some individual or group. These include editors, publishers, tourists, art critics, shoppers, family and friends - and me, of course. In my experience, each appealee has a short list of requirements which are easily identified and can be used to increase the chances of a budding photographers ego being stroked and purse being fed. The purists among us might consider this a bit crass and unethical but when your income depends on it you need to find out what works pretty quick or starve in the process (or continue living with your parents).
My choice 50 years ago was to teach what I could to those who wanted to make a career from photography. Along the way I discovered there were some who had no intentions of earn a living in this way but to appeal to a different group; themselves. Strangely enough I found myself being drawn to these people and their purpose, aspirations and needs, so much so, I have since spent most of my career assisting them in their quest, along with my own. I would say that it's only been in the last 10 years or less that I have come to grips with why, not what, and that is the difference. It's not about what we do but why we do it. When that is clear, the process is also clear. But this is such a personal thing, identifying some magical formula that will achieve general appeal has never been possible. Occasionally it can be fluked, even with some consistency by a few. But the answer lies not with the image. The answer lies within the person. People who have this need to appeal to themselves alone must firstly find detachment. That ain't easy to achieve let alone maintain. Sometimes detachment can slip through our fingers like warm butter and we fall into the trap of relying on the appeal of others to maintain our own self respect. That's when it gets ugly.
There! That should give you a headache for the rest of the day.