Cynthia Freeland wrote:
> 1. On the topic of how scientific knowledge of the brain will or should
> affect working artists: Why should it? . . . .
> I'd think much the same would be true of an artist who comes
> to learn more about the eyes, music and aural perception, the brain, and
> so on. These are tools or mediums but there is also a whole complex
> cultural context out there, the "artworld."
>
I think this is an excellent point. Moreover, historically artists have
always been interested in scientific knowlege that expanded their
understanding of how to use the tools available to them, including their
biolgoical tools. I, too, think it is important to include that this kind
relational exchange exists among domains. Science and art have always been
involved with one another.
> That brings me to point 2. I am hearing a lot of complaints about
> critics. I'd like to urge that we not generalize about either artists or
> critics.
Yes, and if you including me here, I didn't mean to say critics, art
historians, etc. don't have useful contributions to make. For example, I
heard an incredibly good lecture on Jackson Pollock last week by an art
historian (Alexander Nemerov). Two elements were particularly striking in
his presentation. One was the degree to which he spoke about both the
optical and narrative elements in Pollock's work -- and the tension between
them throughout Pollock life as an artist. This kind of discussion makes it
easy to see that even in the work of someone like Pollock there can be both
figurative and non-figurative stages.
Second, Nemerov did an exceptional job in showing some of the ways in which
Clement Greenberg's critiques influenced (and enhanced) the work that
Pollock was doing in the late 40s, early 50s. Actually, the lecture was not
only convincingly presented, it was wonderful to hear Nemerov equate
Greenberg's critical responses with those of other critics. Overall this
larger picture was useful too in helping see the art scene as a whole.
Still, with critics (and art historians in general), it really comes down to
who is speaking. There are some who always teach me lots and I genuinely
enjoy what they write (say), even if I don't agree with their conclusions.
Others seem incredibly superficial and shallow. Surely this is the kind of
diverse population one would expect to find in any community. . . .
Amy
___________________________________________
Amy Ione
PO Box 12748
Berkeley, CA 94748-3748 USA
Phone: 1 (510) 548-2052
Fax: 1 (510) 548-2054
email: ione@lmi.net
URL: http://users.lmi.net/ione
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