The readings today are excerpts from “On the Space of Artists”. Michael Smith describes his perfect studio day. The anticipation for new ideas had now become anxiety about things becoming ordinary. So to distract himself from the anxiety of looking at a blank canvas, he “putters”. Puttering proves to him that he is busy and helps him feel that if he is actively searching he will find his place.
Kimsooja does not worry about forgetting ideas because she will remember them when she needs them. Her body is her studio and she works intuitively not worrying about producing.
Barry Schwabsky discusses Tehching Hseih as an influence and how Hsieh did his work outside a studio. When he visited Hseih, his studio was clean and white. It was a place to think and not be distracted. He did art by not making art. This demonstrates the artist’s choices in making art and choosing something and also not choosing something. There is an importance to studio to practice and it’s a symbol for artists as part of their imagery in their work. Studio activity is like a performance and not always about solitude. Some art is not made by artists in their own studio, like the more conceptual stuff of Baldessari. The studio can be a place of transformation, where people and objects transform into art, where effort is transformed into a product.
In Criticizing Art Ch. 6, pages 166-178, the section concerning writing about art continues. When you are editing, assume the role of the reader with different views and read it aloud to find awkward sections. There were samples of students’ writing that demonstrate the different points. When we are talking about works of art, can have casual conversations but they are often dismissive. Organized talks, or critiques, are held to help the artists improve their work and usually focus on judgment and not so much on description and interpretation. In group discussions, contribute your own opinion and don’t censor yourself. Be honest but respectful.
Putting It Together...Let's Art 