Art is communication

Art of any discipline is communication:

• from the artist’s background, desires, and image-ination, filtered through

• the medium of words, notes, paint, clay – and the artist’s technical ability, to

• the reader, listener, or viewer – but filtered by their backgrounds, hopes, and knowledge.

Thus, arts of any sort are only completed when read, heard, or viewed. That’s one reason why galleries, museums, concerts, and readings are important: They help complete the communication for which art is produced.

However, the audience’s interpretation is aided by – but doesn’t require -- understanding the artist’s background, desires, and imagery. A poem, dance, composition, or painting must be able to speak for itself. But we usually get more of the communication if we understand the origins of the dance form, the conventions of the musical form, the methods, intent, and symbolism of the visual artist.

At a gallery reception or an artist’s talk, you have the opportunity to learn about artists’ background, desires, and imagery.

So please – in the midst of talking with each other, identify a work that captures you, find the artist, and learn more about their motivations. Take the time to come to an artist talk, or listen to a discussion about producing and presenting paintings, sculptures, plays, poems, novels, music.

Dream

in the studio of my friend young Alice,

born of painter and poet.

I admired her deeply.

She encouraged my work.

Her widowed mother

showed us two pieces,

red background, black or blue detail:

on one, rough figures in black, streaked with red,

and a few clearly drawn distractions;

on one, a cerulean circle, bold and smooth.

The difference, she said, was suggestion, the basis of art.

the roughness and red obscured and denied; 

the blue-on-red suggested colors unseen.

She gave us principles – very rare for her:

paint, don't record.

the act of painting must be primary

through visible brushstrokes - even those created by artifice.

Form is key, the major virtue of the work.

Represent by suggestion.

Together we breathed only one word, how.

Deep breath.

Rapidfire:

we know circle, we know sky, sun -- don't draw

do we need circle, or can it be transformed,

folded on itself, present as shadow, present as void?

overpainted, incomplete? 

ovoid imperfection?

Embarrassed by such explicit wordrain, 

she fell Silent. 

color is the gift, the bonus

color suggests things not drawn

color is emotion

color is beautiful.

It is a striking afternoon, I must go.

We paused by the sink:

she touched each of us, ran fingers thru gloss-black hair,

held a small mirror angled toward the ceiling and said

Henry, I'd like a special gift;  nevermind though, I'll pick it up.

Turned to us effusively -- happy thanksgiving.

Mother flinched;

they planned to spend thanksgiving together.

No, thanks can be more thoughtful alone.

I’ll go get my treat, this gorgeous afternoon.