Here are some questions I’ve been asked this year (2008).
How do we influence the public to accept something new and different?
My answer:
When you look at art – words like computer-generated, installation, performance and virtual reality have also become part of our vocabulary. The “public” has been exposed to these words through the media. Comfort level? Acceptance? Well, depending on how it relates to the individual, or how it answers the question, “what’s in it for me?”
I find personally, that when I take the role of instructor or teacher of a new or as you say ‘pushes forward’ the subject matter, the fear factor goes away. I have created “questions to ask yourself when seeing an art show” for people who have come in to see my work.
Of course, there is a certain stratum of the public that will be open to new techniques, etc.; for the rest, it takes a lot of education and work.
I’m curious though as to how you educate folks in how to evaluate art.
My answer:
I educate my viewer by having them critique the art work in 4 stages:
1. Description (just the facts – what do you see without judgements or feelings)
2. Formal Analysis (describe the qualities of line shape colour, etc.)
3. Interpretation (relevance to our lives and to the human situation)
4. Evaluation or Judgment (a rank in relation to other works in its class)
(These stages were modified from an art education book)
I talk the viewer through the stages without being very formal about it – just casual conversation. The viewer usually goes away feeling better about themselves and their knowledge of art.
Interesting questions – can you add other answers?
Happy New Year.
