What do you think about when you see a piece of art?
Do you decide if you like the piece? Or do you have a gut feeling of what you believe your taste is? Do you consider whether you would buy a specific piece or want it in your home?
I’m no expert, by which I mean I have not studied the subject academically, but as the cliche goes, I know what I like. At least I think I do! I remember being dragged to a Jackson Pollock exhibition and being totally amazed at how much I liked the work. Getting up close and personal really seems to make a difference.
I’ve been thinking about art in another way recently. After watching the wonderful documentary about Herb and Dorothy I realized that not only is getting up and personal important, but the personal bit is doubly important.
A friend of mine is an artist. She has been working on some fascinating pieces called Altered Books, all of which involve doing things to books. Being a book lover I have been struggling with this, especially as the things I refer to often involve folding pages and lots of cutting! However, the end results are quite stunning and sometimes even have a bird theme!
Altered Book: Looking for Signs of a Safe Return Home
Unlike Jackson Pollock, my friends work is still affordable, I could tick the ownership button (and in the spirt of Herb & Dorothy I do already have a couple of pieces of my friends work!). Do I like the Altered Works, yes probably – some more than others. Are they my taste, probably not.
Here is where my friend has succeeded as an artist. The one thing I believe art should do is: challenge you. Jackson Pollock did this in 1999 and my friend does it now. I have to consider conflicted feelings about what I think of them. I do know one thing: I will be watching for her next piece of work!
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