Do it Again
The one article in the Winter 2014 issue of The Polymer Arts that seemed to greatly affect both the readers and the participants in the creation of its writing was the piece by Anke Humpert, “1,700 Pieces of Jewellery“. If you haven’t read it, you really need to. Anke developed a game based on limitation and a challenging process rather than a single challenge concept, and she invited several dozen artists to participate in her first run of it. That alone is a reason to read this; perhaps, in order to get ideas about developing more in-depth challenges for yourself or for your guild.
The thing that struck me, and I’ve had numerous comments back from readers on this and it obviously struck the artists that participated, was the step that required the participants to re-do the piece they made for the challenge. Yes … after the participating artists completed their piece, Anke asked that each of them make their piece again with changes and adjustments that came about from an evaluation of the initial piece. There was something about being given that bit of instruction, or, as I’ve been thinking of it, permission to start over and try again, that was a key illuminating moment for most of the artists. I know for myself, I plan on doing that exact thing when I get into the studio here shortly, maybe even making the same piece 3 or 4 times to see what I come up with. Many of us make just one piece, and then after that attempt move on, especially when it doesn’t work; when really, we could learn so much from trying to create a better version; to evaluate our work with a purpose; to see if we can create the improvements considered in that critique.
The image here is Sonya Girodon’s two pieces and her evaluation notes. There are more comparisons, notes and comments in the article that will get you thinking. Would you be up for challenging yourself to re-do a piece in this fashion as well?
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Wow, my first impression of the image that accompanies this article is so negative, so I am trying to back off mentally a little here. . . . because I totally agree with the concept. In some ways. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the image is a perfect illustration of what can go wrong with the concept. Let me explain.
Firstly, I think the first piece is a much better piece than the “remade” piece. In her first piece, her very original and creatively designed scale/skin surface dominates the piece–and that is its strength–even to the point of defining the appearance of the piece’s edges. In the second piece, it is all about the black, and her original surface is relegated to a mere stripe. I think that is one big problem created by “over thinking” the project.
The second “over thinking” fail –in my opinion only–is the round element on the second piece. When I see things like this, I think “gimmicky”. It is definitely not organic or “more unusual” as she expressed in her notes to herself before. To me, this roundish element has a very intellectual feel to it–very non-organic.
I would not say that these are “the same piece” at all. They could be by two different artists–or two different lines by the same artist.
Is this what the make-the-same-piece-twice exercise is supposed to be about?
OMG! I thought the same thing…I liked the first piece best. I thought it way more relaxed. I can see it on white beach clothes. The second piece maybe on a severe black gown…even tho something on it I find disturbing. I don’t have formal training in this but was strengthened by the first comment saying what I was thinking. Thanks.
I thought the same thing. I loved the first piece: the organic shapes, the spiral “cup,” the visual reference to tree bark. The second, not so much: too streamlined and slick looking. I’d say the artist went too far away from her original intent. I’d like to see her take what she learned from making the second piece, and apply it to the first work, keeping the beautiful naturalness of it intact while working on more contrast and more interesting shapes.
I just found this blog and magazine. Yay! Thanks.
Maggie
Hokay; I give up. Where can I find “1,700 Pieces of Jewellery”? You didn’t provide a link to it, and it’s not turning up in searches.
Oh, phooey. It just dawned on me: is it in a print magazine (I can’t afford)? That’s why you didn’t provide a link, isn’t it? I have the sads.
Lol. Yes, we are a print magazine but the magazine is also available in digital which is less expensive. You can get the information on out website (which that should have been linked to … my apologies!) here: http://www.thepollymerarts.com
Bravo Sonya pour toutes tes œuvres qui sont des merveilles; je suis en admiration devant ton travail, très féminin, très élégant, plein de sensibilité…. Continue à nous faire rêver
Bisous