Aspects of Reality

Aspects of Reality

citron fractalArt is concrete, while philosophy is abstract. My love of philosophy allows me to obtain some of my ideas from abstract thoughts. The challenge becomes creating work concretely & significantly in form, colour, all the elements of design. We have the facts, then we have the perception of what is real.

The artist observes, learning to see is crucial. Originality is not influenced by the judgments of others. The conclusions others tend to draw about a particular artist and their work, may or may not be true. What the viewer sees is only true for themselves. The artist has a different sense of what is. Synchronization exists when the communication has a value of truth for both the artist and the viewer.

Parallels can be drawn with subjective and concrete, with objective and abstract coinciding. Subjective is what the individual knows. Objectivity is the other side of the coin. We cannot say for sure that anything that exists beyond one’s own mind and self exists. How do we know if what we see is real, or merely illusion?

Rose

invitation

Invitation DLRobinson 16 X 20 Acrylic/Canvas
How do we respond when asked about our work? An recent example for me, was In regard to this painting I did, people began asking, “Where does the stairway lead to? ” My answer is always, “It leads to where ever you think it leads to”.

It would be a mistake to interpret for the audience or to assume what it is to mean to them. That is for the viewer to decide.

Art is subjective, as the same piece can mean many things to many people. What exists in the mind of the person experiencing the art relates to their own understanding & personal taste.
What judgment implied by values and beliefs, the critique is a moral judgment, which is not usually applied to art. It may be more appropriate to look at the aesthetic value.

Subjectivity leaves room for that which exists, only in the mind, a pathway inward resembling introversion. Objectivity relates to external reality, a turning outward to the external environment, much in the way of extroversion. Once the observer passes judgment expressing what they see, the experience then becomes objective. It becomes external reality.

Some prefer the introspective world , objectivity finds itself on the back shelf. Many artists, including myself, fall into this category. Ignoring the external voices to be in touch with the inner workings, essence of creation. External stimuli can detract from the purpose and the artist’s vision. At times, introspection is cast to the wind, while seeking to fill the well of inspiration.

In the case of a painting, for example, the painting itself is a concrete conclusion on the part of the artist. The judgment which has been made is abstract, as it exists only in the mind of the person making the judgment. They believe it to be true based on their own values.

When looking at a piece of art do you say to yourself what does this say to me? For me, art must invoke strong inner feelings capturing a mood or experience. A moment of recognition, of lives once lived, places once visited, letting the mind and heart connect. That is my reality.

Aspects of Reality was last modified: January 27th, 2019 by Deborah Robinson

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