Do Not Overcomplicate Things
There is a new tendency in our society to overcomplicate things that are by nature simple. Why take 100 steps and many turns to reach something that is reachable with 3 steps? I am not talking about the common core curriculum in case you are wondering, but since you mentioned it, that’s a good example. It happens in music performances too. Watching the Grammy Awards (no, it is not a competition for grandmothers. That would be the Granny Awards; although most of these artists are really old) I can tell how songs that are not necessarily good were over-adorned to make them somehow ‘better’. You know a true musical artist when they can sing and don’t need too much around them to be good. It happens in visual arts as well. We can tell when a painting or a sculpture, or whatever it could be art nowadays is overcomplicated. We see it in how people organize events. I’ve been in too many corporate meetings that get nowhere because people can’t reach a decision on things that are simple.
I grew up in a household where we didn’t have an issue making or doing good things that were indeed simple. For us it has to look good without too much. We never had a need to gold-plate what was already beautiful in its simple form. One of the most important aspects I learned is being satisfied to provide a great atmosphere for our guests by being there and relating to them. I interact with people in all my shows because that’s the right thing to do. It is more valuable than art on the wall, expensive wine, and gold-plated glasses, while the artist stand scare or overconfident in a corner expecting some kind of recognition instead of acknowledging the people who makes the show successful. People need people interaction. I don’t care how much society wants to complicate an event, at the end what people need is people, a friendly conversation, a smile, someone they can relate to.
In 2010 I had my first opportunity to show my work. I learned a few things about putting together a show and I follow that plan for my shows since (see How To Prepare For Your Show) I have now my first chance to give back and organize a show for a few friends. I am not going to participate directly in this show as an artist. Although my work has a permanent exhibit area in the gallery this is their show. It indeed provides curator experience for me which is great. Nevertheless, I do not overcomplicate things. I have a good idea of the work I’ve seen from the artists, designed the blueprint of the show, created a to-do list for them and for me and all we need to do is to work on each of the pieces and put them together. There is no need to over-adorn what is already good. The reception requires a few more details but I already noted the vision for it. Again, it doesn’t have to be complicated. It is going to be great and I can’t wait to give you all the details so you can join us.
Closing this exhibit is also the beginning of planing the next solo show. I am participating in group shows through the year but I don’t plan those. I just participate. That gives me time to get ready, put together a new collection, and put together all I need to make it happen. It is going to take some time but the most important thing for me is to be able to see it before it happens. It all begins with the art pieces and how they come together. That’s a constant work in progress. It is great to see it all unfold.
Sculpting or Painting
Sculpting or painting? There is no secret that between sculpting and painting I prefer sculpting. Yes, I like to paint, but I prefer sculpting much more. There is no secret that very few people sculpt and many people paint. When it comes to painting or sculpting parties, many people don’t know there are sculpting parties and by default they prefer painting until they try sculpting. If you visit a gallery today less than 10% of the pieces are sculptures, unless someone forgot a broom in a corner after cleaning and is calling it ‘a sculpture’. Many will disagree with me but placing an object in a room is ‘a statement’ not a sculpture. Sculptures are not many. In one of the books I’m in from about 350 artists only 5 are sculptors. Sometimes there are expressions that seem to separate sculptors from the rest of the artists like: artists and sculptors, call for artists and sculptors, accepting art and sculptures, and the like. Why is that?
The world is 3D. It makes sense to me to translate from 3D to 3D. It also makes sense to me to translate from 2D to 3D. It also makes sense to me to translate images from 3D to 2D and 2D to 2D, but I prefer sculpting. When I am sculpting it feels like a conversation, a journey, an adventure that develops with every step. On the other hand, I’ve never been inclined to do what the majority of people is doing just because it is ‘the norm’, or cheaper, or easier, or more acceptable, or even more commercial. When many of people I knew were singing on stage I was doing comedy. The norm is not attractive to me. I enjoy sculpting. The fulfillment that comes with seeing my work alive is something I don’t feel when I paint.