Trickery of the Trade
by Pasadena Adjacent
Before this editor went to graduate school, she accomplished two things. She signed a lease on a downtown studio and entered the real world totally unprepared. Humiliation was a frequent guest, as the editor tried pathetically to hold court against a backdrop of French Theorist -Cal Arts/UCLA/Art Center/Claremont- graduates, and “Baldesari is God” worshippers. They could recite Foucault like Ramona can recite bible verses (which she doesn’t do well – but often).
The editor knew how to draw and paint naked people from old guys who had learned it on the GI bill. Which taught this editor how to please said “old guys” AND be a lazy painter. She had mastered the art of how to respond with stick and mud. Now she needed to catch up with the big kids. So she headed to the nearest Freeway off-ramp university and got herself an advanced degree. The editor learned to recite feminist doctrine, Witgenstein, the french guys, etc. And they taught her how to sell herself. The Editor attended openings, volunteered and sent out packages. One Canadian gallery never said a word about the Editors art; but complemented her on the professionalism of her artist’ statement. She never did get her slides back.
btw: Don’t skip the video, you’ll miss the point. It’s brilliant. Baldessari would approve
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http://x-traonline.org/past_articles.php?articleID=115
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The Editor
I soooo love that photo! Brilliant entry too — the video is too funny. I remember in my one art class at USC with Judd Fine, it was all about being able to talk about the piece and convince people of what the piece-of-c___ student work we made in the last hour was all about and the deeper meaning behind a scrap of shag carpet suspended by rope with other bits of junk attached to it. I’ve got some photos — I like one girl in the class very much, she was getting an art degree and actually seemed to be able to create a visually stunning piece without taking herself too seriously. Wish I remembered her name.
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Our Editor Opened Dockers Link: For me, painting is a way to explore the relationships between various colour harmonies and surface textures. I also explore the range of possibilities allowed through different methods of application. I try not to push my own personal beliefs onto the audience. This may not be the popular view, but to me, artspeak gibberish is art’s own worse enemy. The object is always there, and it should be discussed directly. Rather than carefully stepping around the object and and thinking about what it might be, I focus on what it is. I draw inspiration from sources outside of the art world, such as technology and digital culture.
I would have given Vic’s left nut to study with Judd Fine. Those old guys beat the love of pigment right out of me
I think she should also ask whether we’d like our steak medium or medium rare.
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Our Editor Opened Docker’s Link: I see my work as an attempt to use various geometric formulas to explore key compositional elements, and bring them forward through my use of colour and texture. I also experiment with the possibilities allowed through different application techniques. My art is not an excuse to rely on overly-complex theories or ideas to prop up mediocre images. I do not believe that it would be an unreasonable assumption to suggest that a painting should be first and foremost, a painting. Meanings are extra layers, not the foundation. I am inspired by groups like The Fauves, the early abstract expressionists, les Automatistes.
No steaks involved. I served Pasta at Little Joes. Would you like pepper on your pasta?
Hiker beat me to it, I was going to ask her for some fresh pepper on that.
I like her video. If I had an art-related job I’d give it to her for being so right on about the bullshit.
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Our Editor Opened Docker’s LinK: The goal of my work is to create an engaging visual environment through line, colour and form. This also provides me with the means to expand my abilities through constant experimentation. I have no interest in using my art to create mundane imagery and defend it with dense jargon. This may not be the popular view, but to me, any meaning or concept comes second, the quality of the actually work is what is paramount. For inspiration, I look at concepts like Ordered Complexity and Emergence, where things build up from a simple base structure by following a set of predetermined rules, and self-organize as they go. I translate this into painting by building off of the random, using a predetermined technique and range of colours.
You’d never have that job unless you had mastered the bullshit
Wonderful video–glad her dad made it possible.
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Our Editor Opened Ocker’s Link: I see my work as an attempt to use colour, texture, and form to create a visually stimulating image. I also use it as an opportunity to expand my abilities through constant experimentation. I choose not to push my own personal beliefs onto the audience. I do not believe that it would be an unreasonable assumption to suggest that artspeak gibberish is art’s own worse enemy. The object is always there, and it should be discussed directly. Rather than carefully stepping around the object and and thinking about what it might be, I focus on what it is. I am inspired by sources outside of the art world, such as technology and digital culture.
You know, recently someone passed along a magazine gig to me, and they wanted some info on my background. Instead of giving the usual blah-blah, I wrote something totally fanciful and what I thought would be humorous. And I didn’t hear back. And can I top off that coffee for you?
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Our Editor Responds: Now you have a true art job. Steaks? please. Only out of work male actors got those positions.
A fine video, thank you.
Reminds me of http://kyleclements.com/generate_statement_1.html (click on “Generate Statement” when you get there)
Our Editor Opened your link and it has made her job of responding much easier.
I think that’s more about them than it is about you, Hiker. And you can take that to the bank.
Altadenahiker…very good. I like the fresh pepper too. Bullshit always seems to make it through. Who else will sell you but yourself? Nice post, PA, as usual.
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Our Editor Responds: Bullshit floats. And to be fair – some of it was very interesting. Theory snuck into the arts via the backdoor of philosophy and 60′s radicalism. It informed an entire generation. Killed painting – handing over the scepter to university trained photographers, who themselves, were breaking free of the shackles of formalist such as Ansel Adams, Edward Weston etc. Now the kids are overthrowing the theorist in favor of painting. As a result, original street artist such as MrV are being resurrected from the dust heap of ideology. <- gee, art speak?
I thought if you have to explain it, then it’s crap.
PA, your credits are enviable and I love the photo. If only I had taken another route instead of the one that leads to “Can I see the Childre’s Menu please?”
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Our Editor Opened Ocker’s Link: I see my work as an attempt to express colour in all its beauty. It is also a way for me to explore the range of possibilities allowed through subtle changes colour choice, composition, method of application, surface preparation, etc. I have no interest in using my art to push some form of ideology or political agenda at the viewer. It would not be unreasonable to suggest that a painting should be first and foremost, a painting. Meanings are extra layers, not the foundation. I draw inspiration from groups like The Fauves, the early abstract expressionists, les Automatistes.
They need to know -> you know <- how to explain it so they won't think your crap.
Being a visual person with an appalling lack of aptitude to speak about art, I couldn’t take my eyes off her beautiful, big, animated eyes which seemed to say so much more of interest than the words. But when I finally focused on the subtitles, oh, how I laughed! The group photo is great too!
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Our Editor Opened Ocker’s Link: My art is an attempt to depict colour and form in an aesthetically pleasing way. I also use it as an opportunity to expand my abilities through constant experimentation. I choose not to push my own personal beliefs onto the audience. I do not believe that it would be an unreasonable assumption to suggest that a painting is not made with theory alone, the materials are the vital component. For inspiration, I look at concepts like Ordered Complexity and Emergence, where things build up from a simple base structure by following a set of predetermined rules, and self-organize as they go. I translate this into painting by building off of the random, using a predetermined technique and range of colours.
“appalling lack of aptitude to speak about art” you express yourself very well just not in art speak.
You are very funny, PA, as is the video. Brilliant, yes.
Wonderful photo. I love how you’re hugging Mr V while he cradles a kitty in his arms. So sweet.
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Our Editor Opened Ocker’s Link: I see my work as an attempt to explore the relationships between various colour harmonies and surface textures. I also develop my own unique artistic voice. I try not to confuse the audience with unnecessary art jargon. I do not believe that it would be an unreasonable assumption to suggest that formal qualities don’t need some form of conceptual justification to back them up I am inspired by sources outside of the art world, such as technology and digital culture.
That’s my favorite kitty (before being electrified) go back and check your comment – fate? HeHe
http://pasadenaadjacent.com/2011/06/06/visual-integrity-reassigned/
Hysterical.
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Our Editor Opened Ocker’s Link: I’m glad you asked. My reason for painting is to use colour, texture, and form to create a visually stimulating image. It is also a way for me to expand my abilities through constant experimentation. I don’t seek to confuse the audience with unnecessary art jargon. I think that artspeak gibberish is art’s own worse enemy. The object is always there, and it should be discussed directly. Rather than carefully stepping around the object and and thinking about what it might be, I focus on what it is. I draw inspiration from sources outside of the art world, such as technology and digital culture.
I watch a lot of television too! I had to read so much theory in grad school too. Mostly I think people use theory to make themselves sound exclusive and superior, which is, I think, Beudreau had in mind when he wrote about Habitues.
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Our Editor Opened Ocker’s Link: I see my work as an attempt to create an engaging visual environment through line, colour and form. This also provides me with the means to explore spontaneity and chance. I put an effort into not using my art as a means to rely on overly-complex theories or ideas to prop up mediocre images. This may not be the popular view, but to me, any meaning or concept comes second, the quality of the actually work is what is paramount. I am inspired by artists like Vlamink, Kandinsky, Gorky, Richter, Reopelle, and Jack Bush.
So, are you referring to feminist doctrine or a TV ad?
http://books.google.com/books?id=OO3xp42aMOEC&pg=PA179&lpg=PA179&dq=Boudreaux+called+a+habitués.&source=bl&ots=FOr26nrGu7&sig=GfB-qsiGR8gCUyye9MhUwa6l5kY&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false
Downtown isn’t uptown anymore; you could have chosen to study Judd Fine in the afternoon on the first day of this year unless Barbara stood in your way… were you still here?
Our Editor Responds: but is it still mid-town? or should it be west side G? Ha! thats right. Too late now. In retrospect, I would have given Vic’s left nut to study with any of you – did you know Mr Fine did the Highland Park Metro station? it’s gawd awful, but I’m sure there’s a reason
http://www.publicartinla.com/Metroart/GoldLine/fine.html
things. unprepared. worshippers. often. bill. painter. mud. kids. degree. etc. herself. packages.
back. brilliant. post. site. funny. it. seriously. name.
textures. application. enemy. directly. is. culture.
fine. rare.
techniques. images. painting. Automatistes.
involved. joes. pasta. that.
video.
bullshit.
form. experimentation. jargon. paramount. go. colours.
possible.
image. experimentation. audience. enemy. directly. is. culture.
humorous. back. positions.
you.
easier.
hiker. bank.
good. too. through. usual.
floats. interesting. radicalism. generation. etc. painting. ideology.
crap.
photo.
beauty. etc. viewer. painting. foundation. automatistes.
crap.
words.
way. experimentation. audience. component. go. colours.
speak.
video. yes.
photo. arms. sweet.
textures.voice. jargon. culture.
hysterical.
asked. image. experimentation. jargon. enemy. directly. is. culture.
too. habitues.
form. chance. images. paramount. bush.
dot. theory.
Our Editor Need Not Respond:
I was here yesterday but wanted to think about this post for a while. I hope you’re going to expand on this interior journey, so many of us can identify with your experiences. More more more, please.
I’m on a different computer so don’t know what will happen when I log in.
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Our Editor Opened Ocher’s Link: Yesterday – in my work – I tried to use a cubist-inspired breakdown of forms to anchor colour. It was also a way for me to experiment with spontaneity and chance. I tried not to represent imagery or direct aspects from the real world. I believe that a painting is not made with theory alone, the materials are the vital component. For inspiration, I looked at artists like Vlamink, Kandinsky, Gorky, Richter, Reopelle, and Jack Bush.
today I need a pony
I’m in love with the guy in the plaid pants with the poodle hair cut!
Our Editor Responds: That’s good looking Richard Schroeder. He visited Vickey’s relatives in Crete then disappeared. We await his return on FB
I cannot recite Foucault, but it doesn’t keep me up nights. You seem at least as cynical about your SCENE as I am about poetry readings and writers’ conferences. I concede that I sometimes learn things if the writers presenting are pros (sorry about the snobbishness of that, but my experience with neighborhood gurus has not been . . . edifying). Readings and conferences (and MFAs???) are ways to be introduced to new voices, a few of which I end up connecting with. But the folding chairs and the elbow-to-elbow and the forced idol worship and the prescribed “Ahhhhhhh” here and there . . . I find all that a high price to pay–I’d rather get the info/opinion casually, from reviews and from trusted friends and acquaintances. I’d rather skip all that touching of hems of garments, where they see me as the riff-raff, and it’s entirely mutual.
Uh-oh. I kinda like that, may have to use it at my place one of these days.
Our Editor Responds: Cynical? yes and no. I never attended a university privileged enough to have such distinguished gatherings or guest lecturers. I wish I had. Maybe then I would have understood I was entering into a “painting is dead” period. Especially when taught by old guys who didn’t acknowledge art beyond 1945. Mine was an affordable state school education making me ineligible to enter academia. My grad degree was earned across the freeway from a California Women’s prison. While there, professor and student alike were trying to figure theory out. It was a fascinating time. I did learn the importance of articulating one’s ideas – even if at times it was BS. I face committees now that have no trouble asking me why I chose brown instead of blue. Saying it “felt” right doesn’t cut the grass
Ooops, I forgot the video. God, those “subtitles” are wickedly clever AND on point. Yet I feel bad for poor Charlotte. I might have said some of that crap at her age and station. Maybe I still do. Maybe she has honest artistic longings but is unwittingly trapped by the pretensions of the art culture. She would be the first, won’t be the last.
A bit liberal towards your dissident artist’s left nut, aren’t you? How about sacrificing something of your own?
Still works: Midtown is now Uptown; I dropped the G a long time ago.
There’s always an explanation, look under”Description of the history and design of…”
How are the Metal ponies coming?
Our Editor Responds: Yes I am, it’s luuuve. Yes, awhile back I read the history in a USC link. When you see something like that you have to wonder what went wrong. I look forward to being post pony
Are the ponies cryptic enough for you?
OK. Now you’re just messing with me…
Our Editor Responds: just an inch and a pinch (HeHe)
A good laugh!
oh! that video…I’m still giggling…
Our Editor Responds: it’s rich