Outside Inspiration: The State of Craft Art in the Age of the Internet

Its Friday … the day we blog about something other than polymer. But its been all polymer 24/7 here at Synergy! Or has it? In actuality, the talks have been more about art than just polymer, and the first talk yesterday was by a non-polymer artist, and it was the most inspiring conversation up to this moment.

The talk’s theme? The Good, The Bad and the Ugly (complete with theme music from the movie) presented by Harriete Estel Berman, an innovative mixed media artist and blogger. Harriete had fantastic insights and opinions on the state of craft in the internet age, and some really important points that you all should be aware of …  and can be! She posted a version of this talk on her blog, Ask Harriete.  She’s also posted  a PDF version of the presentation. Take some time to read this. I promise it will be very influential for you.

Here is the jist of it …  the internet has allowed us to share, learn and disseminate information at an amazingly fast rate in great volume – that is the good part. The bad side – there are no checks and balances on the validity of information, or much care being taken to properly credit artists and the originators of important ideas and techniques. The ugly has to do with the copying of material, derivative art work being passed along as original, and the commandeering of work with claims of it being one’s own.  Yep, that is pretty ugly.

The point that made me want to get up and cheer was the part of the discussion that pointed out the handicap that comes from the dependence on copying as a method for learning, without there being much of a push beyond that to find one’s own voice. If you read The Polymer Arts magazine, you know that our articles are crafted to get you to think for yourself and grow as an artist, not just as a crafter. It was great to hear that affirmation.

After you go through the talk, treat yourself to a couple minutes on Harriete’s website and sign up for her blog. Here’s a charming piece from her Symbol’s bead collection. There is some rumor that I am into ‘dark’ stuff, and apparently I have surprised or maybe disappointed a few people here (as well as a lot of people saying they had not realized I was so tall … I’m not crazy tall though. Does my editor’s head shot make me look short?!)

I thought I’d share Harriete’s “Scary Girl in Subdued Colors.” I promise I’m not scary but yes, I do like deeper darker colors. Nothing wrong with that, right?!

This bracelet is primarily reclaimed materials … “constructed from recycled tin from post consumer recycled tin cans. Tins include Cinnamon Altoids tins, and my Scary Girl Lunch box with olive/green colors, browns, black and orange. Bronze Plexiglas center, brass tubing, black polymer clay spacer beads, clear stretch cords.”

Okay, off to learn more from this fabulous group. I’ll have more for you tomorrow!