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WHAT THE HELL AM I LOOKING AT?by Jayne Behman
We all respond differently to outside stimuli. Artworks provoke thought through imagery. Some we like and some we judge as "bad." There are those pieces that some art critics consider as timeless masterpieces that we view and just don't understand. How can we appreciate an image we do not respond positively to? Can we develop a simple understanding of the abstract? While these are questions that Sigmund Freud tried to answer in his writings, allow me to walk you through some art to help you develop an appreciation of "what is this?" before your judging eyes. Content in abstract art can mean many things to its maker and to the viewer. Its interpretation can change depending upon the extent of the non-literal form within the artwork. Simply stated, the art's content is its tangible properties - its surface, paint, brushstrokes, composition, variety in line, color relationships, contrasting elements, and thick applications of paint as opposed to thin painting. It is how these individual marks work together to impact the viewer's journey. The ultimate image is what we observe. To evoke feelings philosophically, psychologically, spiritually, or naturally the audience must participate to experience. If I were intent on offering a subject matter that would play upon emotions, the figurative influence would be an imperative part of my artwork's "content." Not true for Hans Hoffman or Mark Rothko. Our reactions are influenced by personal history and our perceptions are influenced by education. During the pop art genre, the importance of the content and a main focus was the imagery. The painting was about the subject matter. Jasper John's American Flag is an example of content within content. The image certainly became as important as the mass and application technique of Jasper's paint. Andy Warhol's content played with every day objects applied to how the image was processed (via silk screen) and the artist's use of color. (One of Warhol's most memorable images is the reproduction of the Cambell's Soup can.) These genre artists used symbolic and iconoclastic images to evoke thought and offer visual experiences. Does Pop Art have a hidden message or great emotion behind its look and feel? It simply "is" and allows us to ponder its being. Pop Art is certainly a looking glass into our western culture legacy, as video and computer arts have been the explosion in today's age of technology. While we don't have an art museum in the county - yet - the fine art retail venues and private studios are in abundance. They welcome visitors and this is a way to view many art forms. Brushstroke's 09, the annual OPAG art group's juried show is currently at the Morro Bay Art Association, located at 835 Main Street, and the Salon de Refuses. Works not juried into Brushstrokes 09 are now showing at Seven Sisters Too, located at 601 Embarcadero. These two exhibitions offer an array of imagery, figurative to non-objective. These exhibitions will certainly test your appreciation for variety of content. See them before September 4th. The Vault Gallery expanded at 2289 Main Street to double its size to allow for more abstract images alongside brilliantly executed landscapes. Fiona Bleu's space, at the corner of Harbor and Embarcadero in Morro Bay, is dynamically merchandized by its owner Rowan Chase. As you are bathe in color and your senses explode under the influences of unique surface treatments, take a deep breath, back away, and study these works. Is something "different" really a piece of good art? This answer is yes, if the art evokes thought and stirs emotion and the applied technique is professionally executed. Does the image feel that it is expanding beyond the working surface? You'll enjoy coffee and tea while viewing the works at The Steynberg Gallery, 1531 Monterey St, SLO. Currently showing is the photography of Barry Goyette, a photographer who executes his narrative images in black and white, capturing a split second movement and emotion. Like salt-water taffy and gumballs, a variety of paintings via style and media all in a bunch can be pleasing and also can take away from each other. As individual pieces, each flavor can be savored and stand on its own. If eaten all together, the flavors mix –there is no distinction. Take the time to visit art galleries and artist studios. Buying art today in this economy can be a great investment for your future. Buy what you like – you'll live with it for generations. |
A professional artist for over 42 years, Jayne earned her BFA at UCLA and is completing her MFA at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Her artwork is represented by galleries in the United States, including three locations along California's Central Coast. A lecturer and educator, she is active in the local art community and writes for various publications. Her published book, " Art Matters," is a visual art education tool being used in public and private elementary schools throughout the United States as well as by many Children's Art Museums.
Calendar of Upcoming EventsART IN THE PARK Labor Day weekend September 5th, 6th, and 7th, Morro Bay. The next jurying date for prospective new members for Gallery Los Olivos is Saturday, September 12. If you are interested contact 805.688-7517 or email GLO3@pobox.com. Meet Peter Steynberg at his gallery (1531 Monterey Street, SLO) Tuesday, September 15 at 3:00 pm. Peter is the program presenter for this OPAG meeting. He will discuss what he, as a prominent and long time fine art gallery owner looks for in an artist chosen to be represented at his gallery. Peter, speaking as a gallery owner will discuss how the artists should present their artwork and themselves to a gallery. Call for entries for Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Juried exhibition deadline is October 23rd - for information visit www.sbcaf.org. On October 24th there will be a delightful show of miniatures at The C Gallery in Los Alamos. The call for submissions is now open, and they are due at the gallery Oct. 15, 16, 17, 18. Pieces can be in any media, and do not have to follow a theme. BUT. . . they must be no larger than 6" x 6" (x 6" if 3-D) WITH the frame. For more information Phone: 805-344-3807 or email: connie@thecgallery.com |
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