I am gonna propose that there are not two broad classification, Art and Craft, but now three with the third one being 'Make'. Art is head-heart-hands, Craft is heart-hands, and make is just Hands. Now don't get me wrong because I am thrilled that so many new 'makers' are out there doing their skull and wee birdy things, recycling et al. But for crying out loud, where is the editor in all this drek? Just becaise you can make something, does it mean you really should? There are hundreds of website out there blanketing the world with their pretty colors (although they always seem to be high saturation pastels) and hairy knitwear. My proposal is to learn a Craft and pursue it instead of just taking the turkey stuffing needle and 'sewing' up some crumby pillows to sell from an outdoor table somewhere.
I have always tried to elevate my craft to art, and in certain cases I have succeeded very well, thank you. I would hope all these 'makers' would now try to actually learn how to do what the hell they are already doing so poorly, and perhaps some day elevate their own work to Craft.
That said, I went to the MFA last night to two openings, one of a show of a collector's contemporary jewelery, the other of a selective retrospective of Ed Rossbach's work from the same collector. Now I admit I was a bit prejudiced as Rossbach has been a hero of mine since I was in college and first learned about his weavings- back in the ice age. Here is what the museum says about his work:
"The MFA celebrates the recent gift of more than forty works by Ed Rossbach in "Ed Rossbach Fiber Art from the Daphne Farago Collection." One of the pioneers in the field of American fiber arts, Ed Rossbach created works in almost every known textile technique during his five-decade-long career. His exuberant approach to making art, free from expectations and rules, came from studying historic textile techniques while a young professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Experimenting with labor-intensive techniques such as Andean discontinuous warp weaving, Native American coiled basketry, European lace, and Indonesian ikat, Rossbach reinterpreted these methods in his own unique two-dimensional and three-dimensional works. This exhibition features about thirty-five Rossbach works from the recent gift of Daphne Farago, displayed alongside examples from the MFA's historic textile collection to illustrate the diverse sources of inspiration for his innovative fiber work."
And this is exactly what I am talking about here dealing with the indi-makers. Rossbach studied ethnic techniques from all over the world and experimented with adding elements from each into his work. He was always thinking, "what if..." and then following through with a complete exploration of a theme making it 'of the day' and not a rehashed copy of something else. Seeing even this limited group of the work together you could almost hear him thinking out loud as he went from one forward to the next. Ed Rossbach might have at times been a maker, but he studied his craft well and took it steps beyond where anyone else had ever gone, he influenced generations of fiber artists (and others) and the indis could do themselves a favor to get caught up with what has come before.
There, I have said it. Now, go on over to Etsy and surf around a bit- you will see some pretty interesting things happening from some of the participants and occasionally you will see some Art (capital 'A'). You will see many good Crafts, and then a whole slew of 'Make'. Good luck to them, maybe I am missing something and one of them actually is the next Ed Rossbach. You tell me when you find her.
OK, snitty of me to say, but I am having a construction issue with a piece I am working on and I was up all night trying to figure out how to do it. The silk I am working on is fraying in my fingers so my next move has to be the Right One. Pictures tomorrow.
5 comments :
"Art is head-heart-hands, Craft is heart-hands, and make is just Hands".
Wow! Did you ever hit the nail on the head. Please get in touch with this film maker before she makes a complete ass of herself. She needs your input.
What a great post. My daughters started out in this Indie Craft environment. One of their friends was in the video. I once made a disparaging remark about the quality of the work at a show my Portland daughter was in and was soundly chastised, but I notice she has not been in it again. Rather, I think, my daughters have found what they are good at and are producing some fine work.
So, I guess I won't send you the lumpy brown, hairy, hand-knit purse lined with "vintage" smelly recycled armpit fabric that I found on a blog the other day. It was made by a tattooed goth chick with black hair and straight across bangs and nerd glasses. Just imagine this stuff being rediscovered 40 years out. The mind boggles.
Hello! I was referred to this link by my mother, Gerrie Congdon. I am an indie crafter. While I enjoy the work of many other indie crafters (and non-indie crafters alike), there is a lot of work out there that I, like you, find aesthetically unpleasing, and quite frankly, cheaply made and poorly crafted. So what? How is that a threat to me? Or to you? I think its more important to focus on the quality, craftsmanship and meaning in our own work and seek out work that is inspiring to us (my sister Stephanie talks about this a lot) rather than disparage the work of others—others who you do not know, who have individual life experiences and backgrounds that brought them to make and share their work. Furthermore, what makes you an expert on what is art, what is craft and what is simply made? What makes any of us an expert? I am a self taught artist who is making it (ie: people buy my work because they like it; and it’s allowing me to make a living). Whether you like my work or not, many people do. In my opinion, it’s good for everyone: I enjoy making and others enjoy my work. We are all on a trajectory of developing our craft, and we are all working with various levels of experience. Because something is not aesthetically pleasing to you does not mean it does not have value to the maker or to others, or that the crafter/artist won’t develop something that is of greater quality as they continue to explore and grow. Let the market weed out those people who are selling stuff that is not well made or takes no skill.
The indie craft culture is not monolithic. We are a diverse set of people, ranging 20-30 years apart in age, some of us, with varied levels of training (some are extensively trained!). I think if you took the time to learn about the backgrounds, training and work of some of the artists featured in the film, for example, you might be surprised at what you learn about them—Jill Bliss is a perfect example.
To quote my sister, an indie crafter herself: “What i love about the indie craft movement is that it has gotten a whole generation of people out there making things, trying things and supporting others who make things.” In an age dominated by an obsession with labels and technology, this is completely refreshing to me, something that makes the world a better place and gives me hope, even when I see things made from polyester felt.
Great post! I'm so glad you've stepped up and said this. I totally agree. Thank you!
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