Re: [BKARTS] craft standards, poor books

[Charles Brownson <ocotilloarts@xxxxxxxxx>]

Remember Pirsig's struggles with the Chicago philosophy department in Zen and the Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance?

Charles
ocotilloarts.com

----- Original Message ----
From: Kathleen Garness <kmgfinearts@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: BOOK_ARTS-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, January 1, 2008 10:52:32 AM
Subject: Re: [BKARTS] craft standards, poor books


There are many POVs of course on this, but Kate's comment reminds me  
of my days at the Art Institute where the critiques were  
unnecessarily blisteringly cruel and unhelpful. I remember young  
artists in tears after such daily sessions. An abuse of power on the  
part of the instructor and the fellow students was my considered  
opinion. Of course there were those who would say 'if you can't stand  
the heat stay out of the kitchen' but I felt that everyone there paid  
their tuition and so had an equal right to respect and understanding  
of their approach. What was also interesting was that the instructors  
would say "don't copy/imitate what I do but if you didn't you'd flunk  
the class... : / We quickly learned to articulate our reasons why we  
took a particular approach and also developed rhinoceros hide... A  
friend who studied at the neighboring campus of the University of  
Illinois experienced pretty much the same thing.

Having standards with examples and discussion about them is  
important. When that doesn't happen, isn't that a disservice to the  
student?

Kathy G


On Jan 1, 2008, at 5:40 AM, Kate Hanson wrote:

> Sort of reminds me of my studio mate's first critique as an MFA  
> candidate.
> The professor came in, looked at her drawing and asked, "Did you  
> draw that
> badly on purpose?"
>

Every Day Is a New Beginning

   "The friendships we develop determine the quality of our own  
souls"  Joan Chittister, OSB

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