the art is not in the object.
To me, Gibran is writing about the creation of photographs as art objects, while to some of us that is not an essential element of photography as an art. I've never heard anyone express the opinion that a movie is any less a work of art because it is highly reproducible - the art is not in the object.
Best,
Helen
To me, Gibran is writing about the creation of photographs as art objects, while to some of us that is not an essential element of photography as an art. I've never heard anyone express the opinion that a movie is any less a work of art because it is highly reproducible - the art is not in the object.
Best,
Helen
Hey Helen -
Release prints for movies are made on automated machines and there is no handwork involved besides loading the machine and putting the finished rolls in a can. There's not a lot of art or artistic talent involved in the process; running the machine is mostly a technical job...
Yes, that was exactly my point. Does anyone think that the experience of seeing a movie is in any way degraded by the fact that the release print is produced automatically? Does anyone think that the release print itself is the art object? I wasn't referring to mass-produced DVD versions of the movie - which will probably not be of the same quality as a theatre print, or be the same experience to watch.
I'm only trying to say that not all of us share Gibran's point of view, not trying to say that Gibran is wrong or arguing with him or her. If a mechanically produced print looks exactly how the artist wishes the finished work to look, then the artist producing the work may feel that hand-finishing is not required to fully realise his or her vision. That's not the same as saying that a print of a Picasso painting is equivalent to a painting by Picasso.
Best,
Helen
... the art is not in the object...
Helen
Digital printing whether it be Ink Jet, Laser or whatever is more akin to the Pop Art ideals of mass production and automation. In its worst form today, this has resulted in a purely Conceptual Art where young artist have absolutely no traditional Fine Art skills whatsoever and know very little about the materials in their art form.
As a potential buyer, would it bother you to know that the digital machine prints could be exactly reproduced at any time?
I believe that rather than encourage people to go digital (of which they need no encouraging) it will, in praxis, well convince people to re-evaluate their digital workflow and encourage many to go back to include also analog capture in their toolchest. As people once again see just how good silver gelatine based prints on fibre paper look--- after having convinced themselves that their big Epson ink jets rivaled their wet prints-- they will also start to long for the extra "something" from Film.. not just the dynamic range and tonality of black-and-white film but also its character.When people comment that it encourages people to go digital, I fundamentally disagree, what it does is enable people who have a digital file
...I've never heard anyone express the opinion that a movie is any less a work of art because it is highly reproducible - the art is not in the object.
Interesting points and I don't necessarily disagree. So here is something to add to the discussion. Is knowledge of materials and tradition paramount? The cubists were influenced strongly by African art, but knew little, if anything about the traditions behind them, does that negate their work? Also, fine art is a recent (western) convention (The Invention of Art is a good primer on this) and has, in the 20th century been object focused. That is changing to being more and more idea focused in my view. In a few more years who knows what will be happening. My pick is, with global art markets expanding, more "Eastern" concepts (tradition, group work) will come to the fore.
As to reproduction at any time? Hmmmmm, some of the work I own and some of the work I produce is firmly in this field. Other is definitely a one off, each has its own place.
There have been some great threads spring up here lately, or maybe its just because I have too much time on my hands currently
Rarity, or exclusivity of ownership, does not have any appreciable appeal for me. I would much prefer that the photographers whose work I like were widely distributed. That's one of the great strengths of photography for me. Just my point of view, and I suspect that I am in a minority here on APUG.
Best,
Helen
How much longer until you can print platinum, palladium, silver chloride AZO, cyanotype, and vandyke out of your computer? How about oil, acrylics and watercolor painting?
I think this is a great thing that Ilford is doing, but personally...I just think it embraces Americas laziness in not having to work in a darkroom and make art by hand. I don't see this wanting to make people start printing in a darkroom more, but rather more people sitting at home on their butt in front of a computer monitor creating art.
In the past its been easy to distinguish between a traditional print, and one that has been worked over in Photoshop by what paper medium it's printed on. Now its going to be even harder to figure out what is a real photograph and whats computerized.
I just think it embraces Americas laziness in not having to work in a darkroom and make art by hand.
Here is a question for photographers who print both digitally and traditionally. Given the exact same image one printed digitally, the other traditionally, when all is said and done, which print is more precious to you? Now, when you go to an exhibit which has both prints on display, do you value one more than the other or not? Do you spend longer viewing one over the other? As a potential buyer, would it bother you to know that the digital machine prints could be exactly reproduced at any time?
...I just think it embraces Americas laziness in not having to work in a darkroom and make art by hand.
My general statement:
No matter how good digital gets, it's still digital.
My point from being a photographer selling art for a living:
I have already been labeling my art work as "Traditional Hand Printed Silver Gelatin" and the same for Ilfochrome/Cibachrome. When customers/viewers visits one of my shows, they are well informed through communication, labels, and statements of what they are viewing.
Over the years of selling photographs, I have met many photographers and representatives that are dishonest regarding their means of producing their art work and I believe this new line of paper will give them another avenue. I have also come to realize there will always be dishonest people in any market of selling art, no matter what materials are available.
Customers/buyers/viewers (in my market) are different than they were five years ago and digital capture and digital printing has become a sensitive topic. Unfortunately, most people assume all photographs are digital and are very surprised that traditional photographs are still being produce. Through positive verbal and written communication, the viewer is aware/educated of what they are viewing. People seem to take more time viewing or sencond look at the art work after learning what they are which demonstrates to me that digitally produced art work favors less.
I do hope that the photographers who use this new technology are honest and forth
coming to their viewers/buyers. Overtime, buyers/viewers will become educated and aware of Silver Gelatins being produced digitally, and some will will care, and some will not. I do hope that overtime silver gelatins as a whole will not loose face. For example; the word "giclee" has lost value and face with many people because they are aware what they are and how easy they are produced. We are currently seeing new terminology and labeling to steer away from the term "giclee". I hope that does not happen to the word "silver gelatin" which in a whole is attached to "photography".
As a buyer:
I am also a buyer/collector of photography from art shows and galleries. I, like many others only want hand printed photographs in my collection. With knowledge of this new technology, I will be more skeptical to the point that I may not even want to buy another Silver Gelatin unless I am well informed. It will come down to good and positive communication.
Shane Knight
horse photography
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