Comments on: The Proverbial “Body of Work” and The Narrow-Minded Art Critic http://guytal.com/wordpress/2008/08/the-proverbial-body-of-work-and-the-narrow-minded-art-critic/ Photography and the Creative Life Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:09:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Michael http://guytal.com/wordpress/2008/08/the-proverbial-body-of-work-and-the-narrow-minded-art-critic/comment-page-1/#comment-162 Michael Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:57:54 +0000 http://guytal.com/wordpress/?p=42#comment-162 Guy, Very interesting points that you raise. Of course, critics by definition view it as this role in life to be critical. In performing that task, they should take into consideration the "body" on one's work. I think that is one of your major points. To then criticism art for "Lack of Focus" to me seems pointless. Each work stands on its on. The fact that several pieces of work are good or bad, should not deter from the merits of the piece in question. Again as you point out, many great artists have chosen to express themselves or their vision in multiple ways. To suggest that doing so is a lack of focus is silly. Each day brings us a new vision. Best Regards, Michael Guy,
Very interesting points that you raise. Of course, critics by definition view it as this role in life to be critical. In performing that task, they should take into consideration the “body” on one’s work. I think that is one of your major points. To then criticism art for “Lack of Focus” to me seems pointless. Each work stands on its on. The fact that several pieces of work are good or bad, should not deter from the merits of the piece in question. Again as you point out, many great artists have chosen to express themselves or their vision in multiple ways. To suggest that doing so is a lack of focus is silly. Each day brings us a new vision.
Best Regards,
Michael

]]> By: Iris Greenwell http://guytal.com/wordpress/2008/08/the-proverbial-body-of-work-and-the-narrow-minded-art-critic/comment-page-1/#comment-159 Iris Greenwell Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:28:23 +0000 http://guytal.com/wordpress/?p=42#comment-159 Hi Guy, What a wonderful image! I really like the graphic design of it. Great colors and lighting. I read your article on OP...the images are amazing. Regards, Iris Hi Guy,

What a wonderful image! I really like the graphic design of it. Great colors and lighting. I read your article on OP…the images are amazing.

Regards,

Iris

]]> By: Paul Grecian http://guytal.com/wordpress/2008/08/the-proverbial-body-of-work-and-the-narrow-minded-art-critic/comment-page-1/#comment-152 Paul Grecian Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:21:56 +0000 http://guytal.com/wordpress/?p=42#comment-152 Guy, Interesting read. I think I agree with you. The problem with critics is that they often don't know their job. I believe they should be telling me about the work they are looking at, putting it into context historically and with respect to the artist themselves. What they shouldn't be doing is condemning it because it doesn't fit their ideals. However, I do find that I enjoy viewing a cohesive body of work more than subject matter that goes everywhere. Of course that is a matter of scale right? I mean I work within the genre of nature, but there is a difference between birds and landscapes that some would consider two different bodies of work. Others may be fine with just seeing me as a nature photographer. If I put sports and portrait work on display with nature imagery, I think most viewers would have trouble wrapping themselves around that. Maybe it's human nature to want to peg hole artists in order to help understand them? I do think critics are OK with seperate bodies of work so that I may have a sports body and a nature body. I think the problem occurs when the bodies get intermingled (unless of course if the subject is a theme like "motion"). It's a complex issue. Guy,

Interesting read. I think I agree with you. The problem with critics is that they often don’t know their job. I believe they should be telling me about the work they are looking at, putting it into context historically and with respect to the artist themselves. What they shouldn’t be doing is condemning it because it doesn’t fit their ideals.

However, I do find that I enjoy viewing a cohesive body of work more than subject matter that goes everywhere. Of course that is a matter of scale right? I mean I work within the genre of nature, but there is a difference between birds and landscapes that some would consider two different bodies of work. Others may be fine with just seeing me as a nature photographer. If I put sports and portrait work on display with nature imagery, I think most viewers would have trouble wrapping themselves around that. Maybe it’s human nature to want to peg hole artists in order to help understand them?

I do think critics are OK with seperate bodies of work so that I may have a sports body and a nature body. I think the problem occurs when the bodies get intermingled (unless of course if the subject is a theme like “motion”). It’s a complex issue.

]]> By: Guy Tal http://guytal.com/wordpress/2008/08/the-proverbial-body-of-work-and-the-narrow-minded-art-critic/comment-page-1/#comment-150 Guy Tal Sun, 10 Aug 2008 15:11:22 +0000 http://guytal.com/wordpress/?p=42#comment-150 Mark, as well they should! It's always good to have checks and balances. Nobody should be immune from criticism and from having their motives or assertions called into question, not even critics. Guy Mark, as well they should! It’s always good to have checks and balances. Nobody should be immune from criticism and from having their motives or assertions called into question, not even critics.

Guy

]]> By: Mark http://guytal.com/wordpress/2008/08/the-proverbial-body-of-work-and-the-narrow-minded-art-critic/comment-page-1/#comment-149 Mark Sun, 10 Aug 2008 03:46:21 +0000 http://guytal.com/wordpress/?p=42#comment-149 Well written essay Guy. And I should ask - "Are such criticisms accepted broadly?" I am not sure. It seems for every critic, there is someone calling him a crackpot. Well written essay Guy. And I should ask – “Are such criticisms accepted broadly?” I am not sure. It seems for every critic, there is someone calling him a crackpot.

]]> By: laurent http://guytal.com/wordpress/2008/08/the-proverbial-body-of-work-and-the-narrow-minded-art-critic/comment-page-1/#comment-147 laurent Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:10:49 +0000 http://guytal.com/wordpress/?p=42#comment-147 Yay verily. Well said, Guy. Yay verily. Well said, Guy.

]]> By: Carl D http://guytal.com/wordpress/2008/08/the-proverbial-body-of-work-and-the-narrow-minded-art-critic/comment-page-1/#comment-146 Carl D Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:13:04 +0000 http://guytal.com/wordpress/?p=42#comment-146 Hey Guy A great example of why a few days in the mountains wandering around with you would be a treat; insightful commentary, as always. Great image. Cheers Carl Hey Guy

A great example of why a few days in the mountains wandering around with you would be a treat; insightful commentary, as always.

Great image.

Cheers

Carl

]]> By: My Artist Side « http://guytal.com/wordpress/2008/08/the-proverbial-body-of-work-and-the-narrow-minded-art-critic/comment-page-1/#comment-145 My Artist Side « Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:02:32 +0000 http://guytal.com/wordpress/?p=42#comment-145 [...] occasionally venturing outside the walls others seek to build around his work. You’ll find it HERE. Hope you enjoy [...] [...] occasionally venturing outside the walls others seek to build around his work. You’ll find it HERE. Hope you enjoy [...]

]]> By: Mark Feliciano http://guytal.com/wordpress/2008/08/the-proverbial-body-of-work-and-the-narrow-minded-art-critic/comment-page-1/#comment-144 Mark Feliciano Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:38:21 +0000 http://guytal.com/wordpress/?p=42#comment-144 Thank you so much for that. I have been troubled by my own work and its eclectic swings. I've wondered if I "lack focus". That was very helpful Guy and much appreciated. Thank you so much for that. I have been troubled by my own work and its eclectic swings. I’ve wondered if I “lack focus”. That was very helpful Guy and much appreciated.

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