tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post8572133812661256164..comments2023-11-10T00:56:30.857-08:00Comments on Existential Neighborhood: Art Quilts: Emerging GenresJane Dunnewoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254943030333257172noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-9884727186032653462014-05-07T08:48:34.484-07:002014-05-07T08:48:34.484-07:00ARTful Women, a seven member group in Northern Cal...ARTful Women, a seven member group in Northern California, pursues museum and gallery shows, individually and collectively. Mixing it up with "fine art" seems to be a good way to introduce our fabric art to mainstream art lovers. We avoid using the word "quilt" in referencing our work. We are finding that a lot of galleries have a fabric art show at least once a year, so that is a little progress. Sales, unfortunately are slow at this point. www.artful-women.blogspot.com.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622661069247855377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-39121922792780003622012-11-07T11:34:10.634-08:002012-11-07T11:34:10.634-08:00great stuff!great stuff!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-51635417186126584972011-02-13T20:58:38.181-08:002011-02-13T20:58:38.181-08:00Here is another category: Quilt making as social p...Here is another category: Quilt making as social practice where the traditional aspects of quilt making within a community, the quilting bee, etc. are applied to create quilts or projects incorporating quilt making for social change and exchange.Sherri ~ daintytimehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14896825625378019132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-22082672261031862972011-02-11T09:03:37.113-08:002011-02-11T09:03:37.113-08:00Thank you Barbara - that is a lot to ponder. Work...Thank you Barbara - that is a lot to ponder. Working in an area associated with a "craft" comes with predictable and understandable conversations about what you're making. Those conversations aren't meant to and don't demean your work, in my opinion. Instead we open someone else up to a new idea, a new way of looking at the world. If the response is "only hand sewn applique quilts in the XYZ style are quilts, this is not a quilt" it's not much of a conversation. I don't take it personally.<br /><br />Your paragraph about mastery is worth several re-reads and I'll be keeping an eye open for the book you recommend - many thanks. The search for authenticity that shades mentioned previously and the idea of mastery are similar and worthy of more discussion too. It's that work that is *ours* that is worth showing to others.mb frezonhttp://www.quiltr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-76316856966354721712011-02-10T08:13:01.286-08:002011-02-10T08:13:01.286-08:00We have to consider the tension between art and cr...We have to consider the tension between art and craft. To me, this tension arises from art’s searching for something “new” (I am, admittedly, a modernist) while craft is a celebration of the traditional. Making art in craft media, then, constantly calls this tension into play. Sometimes the craft link is positive: everyone wears clothes, sleeps under blankets, etc., so the audience is drawn to the materials we use. At the same time, potential buyers freak out about care, wondering if they will have to wash the object. This puts some people off, which is why quilts in frames, behind glass, are sometimes easier to sell. <br /><br />It is easier to accept critical analysis of one’s work if one has been to art school; there are some bullies out there, and if you don’t develop a thick skin, you’ll never graduate! (Not everyone is a bully, but they do exist.) The artist must decide if she wants to improve; improvement requires finding the truth in criticism and incorporating that truth into the truth of one’s artistic vision. It isn’t easy, but nothing worth doing ever is.<br /><br />Another important aspect of the study of art history is the notion of “the school of” say, Rembrandt. Many important artists had students, who learned to paint in the style of their chosen master. Looking carefully at these works generally reveals the genius of the master, particularly in comparison to the competent, but not excellent, work of their students. There is a freshness and mastery in the work of Nancy Crow; many of her students, though, seem to endlessly repeat Nancy knock-offs, which bore me. I’ve seen them before, and I’ve seen better before. They may be competent in their craft, but they are somewhat boring. (I don’t mean anyone should stop making their work; any celebration of beauty is welcome. But they aren’t all going to be masterful.)<br /><br />I like the genres you have defined: you might enjoy a book called The Artist by Edmund Feldman. His main thesis is that different types of artists developed over time, but none of those types ever go away.<br /><br />And one more picky detail (I can’t help myself!): Picasso was born in 1881.<br /><br />But thanks so much, Jane, for starting this dialogue.Barbara Busheyhttp://www.barbarabushey.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-26719620842656713842011-02-08T17:23:53.710-08:002011-02-08T17:23:53.710-08:00I found this quite interesting but the sad truth r...I found this quite interesting but the sad truth remains - whether right or wrong - that the only way for textile art quilts to become part of the art galleries & museums of the world is for the medium to branch out to those venues. Unfortunately a 'movement' that stays within certain confinements (its own shows, organizations, participating audience gender, etc) dictates that it will be relegated to those contained boundaries. I encourage anyone who hopes for a broader scope of acceptance and acknowledgement for this medium to become involved with local art groups, galleries, museums and schools.Denise Aumickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07965875626366498278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-674206127155261392011-02-08T08:48:56.513-08:002011-02-08T08:48:56.513-08:00Great questions and bold categorizations. All art ...Great questions and bold categorizations. All art movements begin with this. <br />I too have wondered if our point of view as women using a traditional medium are hampered by those distinctions. Am I part of a girls club (pardon me, male artists) or a defined and growing art category? Participating in SAQA shows allows my work to be seen by others who would otherwise not be able to see my art. That brings me great joy. But I think art is about the process not the product. For me, it represents the fulcrum between conscious and unconscious thought. The Stuckist Manifesto says "Stuckism is the quest for authenticity." If our art can bring a NEW authenticity to the art world then perhaps our efforts to hang in galleries, museums and public buildings is worth the effort.Paula Kovarikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08714555010914286722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-10687977029080068832011-02-07T18:22:51.321-08:002011-02-07T18:22:51.321-08:00Jane -- You are addressing the "elephant in t...Jane -- You are addressing the "elephant in the room" -- thank you for an always meaningful post. These are questions that we need to address, thoughtfully and objectively. From these comments and those that I've seen elsewhere, you've definitely struck a chord. I hope it's a continuing dialogue.<br /><br />Also, thanks for giving permission to share -- as I have multiple times (!) -- with appropriate credit!<br /><br />Dianedianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09905562049913876138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-85555744915935123702011-02-07T17:26:20.567-08:002011-02-07T17:26:20.567-08:00Thanks for the excellent and thought provoking ana...Thanks for the excellent and thought provoking analysis. Can I just quibble with the word "quirky" to describe three-dimensional quilt work? I prefer to use the word "sculpture" to describe my work.<br /><br />I'm noticing a lot more fiber being shown in galleries in our area and nobody is calling it "quilts". I think there is definitely a knee-jerk reaction to the word.Cameronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03178682909559797052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-33309620600560632102011-02-06T07:48:03.681-08:002011-02-06T07:48:03.681-08:00Having said the above, I am grateful for the links...Having said the above, I am grateful for the links provided by others, which will make it possible for readers to look at work with which they may not be familiar. There is a lot of great, serious stuff out there.Jane Dunnewoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16254943030333257172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-69807551211575510842011-02-06T07:46:37.791-08:002011-02-06T07:46:37.791-08:00It should be added into the mix that the lecture w...It should be added into the mix that the lecture was written to accompany a specific art quilt exhibition and was therefore, most specifically about the work in that show. This aspect of the lecture was removed from the current essay, mainly because of space concerns.<br /><br />I am very familiar with European and also Australian artists and also of numerous artists who employ methods that reference the "art quilt" - but the limited time requirement of a lecture, and the space limitations of the blog format disallowed discussing many other interesting and relevant areas. The essay was never envisioned as definitive. It couldn't possibly be definitive when the field is so rich. Rather, it was one small voice in the wilderness - wanting to encourage discussion of varied and valid issues, which are of importance to anyone who wishes to be considered a professional.Jane Dunnewoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16254943030333257172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-70117115940009416222011-02-05T19:19:27.349-08:002011-02-05T19:19:27.349-08:00Wow! Great lecture Jane, thank you for sharing it ...Wow! Great lecture Jane, thank you for sharing it with all of us. As an emerging artist, not a youngster, I struggle to find my voice and my niche. I am especially shy as I my degree is engineering rather than art. I appreciate the discourse hear and look forward to enhancing my knowledge and fully participating with such a great group! Again, thanks!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425601742136510476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-9049331333937532132011-02-05T14:16:48.678-08:002011-02-05T14:16:48.678-08:00Interesting post however as an Antipodean and one ...Interesting post however as an Antipodean and one who has seen much work in Europe I am a bit intrigued that the artist's work used to illustrate your categorisations are mostly American ( if not all) and yet the movement is worldwide and certainly in Australia has been going as long as elsewhere. We also have our own organisations that have the same goals as SAQA as do some of the European countries.<br /><br />I also wonder what the mainstream Art World is actually conceived to be these days, as recent exhibitions I have seen have left me puzzled and pondering- many exhibitions do not even reference the wall of the gallery space leaving them blank or subject to the play of digital/light installations and other installation being the focus of the art work even involving performance often by the artist themselves or with friends, and even interactivity where you the viewer are part of the installation- there seems to be little that involves what we might consider more traditional art materials, like paint and canvas and sculpture. And yet we work with possibly one of the most traditional art materials- textile- and I say traditional in an historical sense because once textile was revered and desired by most European noble houses- think of the story of silk. And then do we not only work with textile but we also make the textile into quilts. How can we as artists hope that this most traditional of materials and then craft technique, somehow fits in with what the art world seems to consider to be art today- except as perhaps part of an installation or in making a pointed statement such as the following artists have done ( and i know they are not all making quilts but they are using and even referencing textiles)<br /><br />Michel Nedjar- http://www.artnet.com/artists/michel-nedjar<br />Tracie Emin<br />http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/tracey_emin.htm<br />El Anatsui<br />http://www.octobergallery.co.uk/microsites/anatsui/<br />Yinka Shonibare<br />http://www.yinkashonibarembe.com/<br />Michael Brennand Wood<br />http://brennand-wood.com/<br />Faith Ringold<br />http://www.faithringgold.com/<br />Christo and Jean-Claude<br />http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/wr.shtml<br />Magdalena Abanakowicz<br />http://www.abakanowicz.art.pl/dancing/-dancing.php<br />Louise Bourgeois<br />http://www.centrepompidou.fr/education/ressources//ENS-bourgeois-EN//ENS-bourgeois-EN.html#metamorphosis<br />Do Ho Suh<br />http://www.designboom.com/eng/interview/dohosuh.html<br /><br />These artists have all made it mainstream so to speak- but how are they different to what we do? Is what we do in any way the same as them? Their intentionality goes without saying- they do not dabble in techniques but do use technique to express their final presentation.<br /><br />I think that we need to consider where textile is in the art world before we can even begin to discuss where quilts are.<br /><br />Anyway just a few thoughts that have floated through my head in response to your very thought provoking lectureDijanne Cevaalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08773178881841236519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-26299172671279170142011-02-05T13:49:17.791-08:002011-02-05T13:49:17.791-08:00I appreciate the thought that went into this. It i...I appreciate the thought that went into this. It is a wonderful organization of many types of art quilts. And, interesting questions posed that could produce fruitful dialogue. I am sure your presentation was great to be at.Judy Warnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07644738305279130498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-24261222864751603672011-02-05T12:59:52.948-08:002011-02-05T12:59:52.948-08:00I am a little curious as to why we, as fiber artis...I am a little curious as to why we, as fiber artists, should expect an organization like SAQA to elevate us to fine art. Is it not the duty of each individual artist to elevate themselves, if they so desire? <br /><br />I think every media will have its large pool of neophytes and a few masters. Perhaps it's more a product of our predominantly female mind-set in this genre that we want to see ALL our sisters regarded as Masters and are loath to admit that any one of us, let alone the majority, are really more like amateurs. <br /><br />You have identified that many art quilters do not have an art education. I suspect that this is why we are not taking the art world by storm -- the majority have not been trained to see museums and galleries as venues to actively seek out. We grew up in, and are afraid to leave, the comfort of the quilt-specific womb we've created. You've also pointed out that a good many of those who do have an art education, have garnered a degree of recognition in the greater art world. I propose that the proportion of those who try and succeed is similar to the ratio in other media. We are just so close (via forums like QuiltArt, SAQA, and our self created venues) that we miss their entrees into the art world because we are too focused on the larger numbers who stay close to home.<br /><br />That said, I think your last paragraph hits the nail on the head, and we each must choose our own path that fits our own needs and urges. For myself, that most likely means sacrificing being taken seriously in a marketing sense (though I do have an art education and do see galleries as the best venues for my fiber art) in return for doing what I really want to do (which is to mix a whole lot of cute and practical "craft" in with the introspective "art").Kristin Lhttp://www.kristinlaflamme.com/musingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-44602582156295000412011-02-05T11:31:45.827-08:002011-02-05T11:31:45.827-08:00Re gender reality discussion: At least 20 years ag...Re gender reality discussion: At least 20 years ago, Joe Cunningham was giving a lecture about the revival of quiltmaking and the fast growing industry surrounding it. His observation was that when it was recognized that there was money to be made, men got involved.<br /><br />Observation: The difference between "hobbyist" and "artist" is one's personal perception of his/her work as opposed to how one's work is perceived by others. However, the difference between the commercially successful "hobbyist" and "artist" is absolutely dependent on how the work is categorized, perceived and evaluated by others. Having put my observation in writing, the thought has come to me that this is a false dichotomy in that I am considering these distinctions as if they are mutually exclusive although there may be a broad middle ground. <br /><br />While it would have been wonderful to hear your lecture and to see you, Jane, having it in "hard copy" allows for endless rumination and inspiration. Thanks for making it available.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12975577787383233199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-43520483247040991822011-02-05T09:53:12.891-08:002011-02-05T09:53:12.891-08:00Whew, I am so overwhelmed by the exclusion of the ...Whew, I am so overwhelmed by the exclusion of the many in this presentation calling for the inclusion of the few, that it will take me a while to form an articulate response.Yasmin Saburhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00697637464662114506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-73557278485607834502011-02-05T09:43:47.284-08:002011-02-05T09:43:47.284-08:00Interesting (and telling) question regarding '...Interesting (and telling) question regarding 'gender reality' and competition/pricing, Jane. But I also feel ‘the tension between the desire to welcome newcomers/beginners non-judgmentally and the reality of the importance of refining standards of excellence' is an important part of the mix in the marginalization of art quilting. <br />I continue to be put off by the plethora of articles and books on the market which approach art quilting as if it were merely a trendy, 'quick and easy' craft project, step-by-stepping the art form into a kind of homogenized eye candy. I came to this discipline from a painting/print making background. Certainly there have always been similarly simplistic 'how-to' publications about those media but they don't irk me like the art quilt articles – not sure why. Probably has to do with my fears that my standing as a professional artist is compromised by association with the concept in the banner of many articles “you don’t have to know how to draw/be an artist to make this” (art quilts).<br />Lack of critical standards and guidelines for what constitutes original vs. derivative work make me squeamish about identifying myself as an art quilter; I feel less limited with the identity 'fiber artist', and terming the work I make mixed media textiles... Studio Art Quilt Associates, of which I am a member, is deep in the work and the dialog of promoting our rich, fabulous textile-based medium and establishing our place in Art History. Thanks, Jane, for your part in feeding the discussion. These are sure exciting times to be making marks!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17790734873076989843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-40884086956462598882011-02-05T09:08:06.434-08:002011-02-05T09:08:06.434-08:00Great read. Loved being able to get this online. ...Great read. Loved being able to get this online. Many excellent comments and definately things we as artists need to be considering.Terry Jarrard-Dimondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06709683518897702916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-85914368166825860692011-02-05T08:45:50.043-08:002011-02-05T08:45:50.043-08:00Jane, can you clarify the following? I'm a li...Jane, can you clarify the following? I'm a little unclear by what you meant.<br /><br />"Art quilters are no longer waiting to be invited into the mainstream art world. They are creating venues for parallel play while devising efforts to go mainstream. This has so far, been relatively frustrating because the art world is territorial and also traditional in the sense of how the “rules” work. Hark back to every art movement in history, kids."<br /><br />I'm a little puzzled because many, of not most, of the modern movements DID have their own shows when they were not allowed or accepted into the Salons and major art shows. Think of the Ash Can School and Dada. <br /><br />We are a little different and have a greater burden to shoulder than many art genres because we are so universally tied to domestic production of quilts for household articles (think material culture rather than fine art). Thus, we have to break through the "craft barrier." <br /><br />The closest thing to this that I can think of is the admission of photography as fine art, which took longer than 40 years.<br /><br />I have been thinking about this long before you posted this, but you have made some points I haven't thought about and finally someone has made a classification system for the different genres of art quilts! Thank you! I've been trying to figure out a logic for this for a little bit.<br /><br />I hope to write a blog post on this myself and discuss my points on some of your questions as well as bring people back here. I will let you know when I finally get it written.<br /><br />Thank you so much!<br /><br />Lisa QuintanaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15140675211931598431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-314774568131167492011-02-05T07:50:39.607-08:002011-02-05T07:50:39.607-08:00Thank you for providing the text from your present...Thank you for providing the text from your presentation, Jane. Very well articulated and the categories are well defined and as we already found out in the previous comments, up for additions as well.<br /><br />I think that there are several artists who have had enormous success in getting into fine art exhibitions with their work. I am one of these artists and I actually have a very difficult time getting into the "art quilt only" opportunities. 2011 has been a fantastic year and it is just started. I already have four juried fine art exhibitions with my work included during the first 3 months of the year.<br /><br />I think that the organizations such as Studio Art Quilt Associates are continuing to break new ground with both members' artwork as well as the traditional art venues that are now showing the art quilt in extended exhibitions (museums, fine art galleries, etc).<br /><br /> It will continue to be an evolving medium and much of it is documented online and in book format so I think it will be one of the first totally documented art movements that can be witnessed by future artists immediately as it is happening.Jean M. Juddhttp://www.jeanjudd.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-23126237060341375982011-02-05T07:04:13.133-08:002011-02-05T07:04:13.133-08:00Thanks for the thoughtful and thought provoking co...Thanks for the thoughtful and thought provoking comments. When blogs really work it is because the essay leads to a dialogue of worthwhile comments and I thank you for this.<br />Funny that the meditation aspect missed my gaze as that is exactly why I work!!! IT was right in front of my nose. A soon to be added category.<br /><br />This lecture will also be available as a pdf on my website soon - then it can be printed and shared with a group for discussion. Feel free to spread the conversation around, but do give me credit if you borrow my words from this location and if you want to reprint the entire text, write to me privately. Thanks.Jane Dunnewoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16254943030333257172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-79914764943561716072011-02-05T06:46:44.273-08:002011-02-05T06:46:44.273-08:00Jane, I loved this! Wish I could have been there ...Jane, I loved this! Wish I could have been there in person.<br /><br />xoJudyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04787074582148834510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-60284509483929042162011-02-05T06:30:24.144-08:002011-02-05T06:30:24.144-08:00Thanks for the well-written and documented lecture...Thanks for the well-written and documented lecture! Perhaps a note about Art As Meditation....? There is work done as an act of "active meditation," as I call it, in which the quilt piece is a by-product of the process of inner dialogue and expression. Pieces are not (should not be) subject to judgment and criticism, and as such do not fit into exhibitions...or what current curators are seeking...This is an area which seems to depart from the excellent categorization done by Jane...and there seems to be no venue which supports this direction...yet.Beth Ann St Georgehttp://www.dancingspiritquilts.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5120593322934217357.post-2856450084726717462011-02-04T18:50:30.886-08:002011-02-04T18:50:30.886-08:00xcellently organized and stated. Thanks so much J...xcellently organized and stated. Thanks so much Jane. I believe one of the problems with this "art quilt movement" is the artificiality of it. Rather than history (even recent history) defining it, somehow the participants seem stuck in trying to define themselves and the importance of the work being done as though by doing this will bestow importance and significance.<br /><br />No matter what aspects of history, both art and quilt, one chooses to embrace or release with one's own work, I don't think we can claim so much control on our place in the history stream. Nor can we push our way into the art world because we spend time lobbying the role of what we're doing or what movement our work falls into.Mary Beth Frezonhttp://www.quiltr.comnoreply@blogger.com