jaehaitch

I tend to wander…I have a relatively short attention span – I say ‘relatively short’ because, compared with some kids today, I’m Rodin’s “The Thinker.” But, in general, I tend to get bored easily and usually want to quickly move to the next thing. This is both serves me well and poorly as I attempt to ‘find my voice’ as a painter.  It serves me well when it pushes me to explore new ways of looking at things, new ways of expressing things, new ways of depicting things. It serves me poorly when I don’t fully develop these new ways because I’ve gotten bored and moved on.

Even as I look at my latest burst of painting, which started in earnest about a year ago…I see three or four distinctly different styles. And I haven’t really decided how each phase has informed the next or even whether they are connected at all.

I’m into mash ups right now and I’ve just heard three of the most amazing song combos ever. I literally can’t get these songs out of my head.

Check out the majesty -
Imagine a Jump: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIOdvXE7kbI
Knock out Eileen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejuMfZdkM2o
Axel F Yeah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N_K7P2MVt8

I had an interesting chat with a couple of friends, one of whom was showing me his online portfolio. As we were looking at his paintings on the screen, we were commenting on how you really can’t get the feel of the painting unless you see it hanging in front of you…pictures on a screen or in a book just aren’t able to do justice to the art. And there’s something about experiencing art with other people, turning to someone else and asking, “What do you think?” or “I love it” or even “I don’t get it”. Then we moved into the whole ‘is the internet ruining art’ conversation. As idea vehicles go, the internet is the most effective way to communicate with the largest number of people that has ever been invented. I worry that this can lead to art that is ‘dumbed down’ for the masses. Not a new problem, but magnified by the sheer numbers. And again, I think removing proximity from art robs the viewer of an important part of the experience.

In the end, I obviously think the internet is an invaluable tool for artists and culture, as long as it remains one of many tools at the artists command. If virtual galleries totally replace actual galleries, then something valuable will be lost.

Interestingly enough (to me), I happened on this vid from bigthink.com: Is the internet ruining design?

Cheers! Josh