Art vs craft: the sources of my dillemas
As some of you may know already, I am just about to finish art school. However, sometimes I feel closer to craft and design than art. I will not bore you with long definitions of art and elaborate on the differences between art and the other two mentioned disciplines. At the moment, after few years of such discussions, I am fed up with them altogether, to be perfectly honest. I am of the opinion any division of that sort is superficial and shallow and the variations between them fluid and sublte. The elements of all three are constantly intermingled.
Personally, I feel it is crucial for the work to be carefully executed. Conceptual art as such is not for me. I agree, an idea or a concept are of essence, but not enough to capture one's interest, astonish, rapture, provoke thought and response alone. Artworks based purely on an idea repel me. They are often an unfulfilled promise of how that concept could be brought to life in a visually attractive way. Not even necessarily beautiful, but considered, careful, polished. Sloppy, careless finish is in my humble opinion completely unnacceplable and lazy.
In my own work I also avoid taking shortcuts. I don't purposely complicate my life, but I am very critical (too critical?) of myself as an artist. I do not allow myself to accept excuses suggested to me - "nobody will notice, nobody will mind". If I know something is imperfect and does not fulfill my high standards, I resist showing the work. However, at times in college I am forced to tolerate certain secondary flaws due to time limitations and other factors.
This is why I am a little frustrated and tired with a situation in which my work has to be completed in a rushed manner and without due attention. Hence the recent meltdown. I realise I will have to deal with deadlines other than assessments once college is finished. I deceive myself hoping I will have more control over my time, though.
I have no greatly ambitious plans for the nearest future. The most exciting thing I am waiting for is my own private studio. I do complain about my work every now and again, but the truth is i really like it and I am perfectly happy when I can concentrate on it. I also intend to experiment with dolls in ways I could not even think of until now. Before I gain access to my new studio, the kitchen table will have to do as a working area. It means the lack of a kiln. It won't stop me from doing other work, of which I shall report here. My porcelain doll is in constant need of improvements (I discover problems in every new version, mostly in the torso construction) and at the moment it is a particular challenge. Her parts will be used in my end of year exhibition. I learned a lot in college, but I will truly be relieved when the show finally opens. I only need to do some more preparations now...