theory

[egypturnash]

My theory of Deep Meaning in art is this: If you see a theme emerging in something you're working on, run with it - deliberately drop hints that it's what you're trying to say here and there. But as you're doing this, come up with a counter-theme, something that's pretty much the opposite of this emergent theme, and toss a few hints of that in, too.

— me, commenting in nyctopterus' journal.
See the whole thread.

Comments

[kamenkyote.livejournal.com]

Very interesting thread (gads, people DO talk about art!!). I didn't comment there as I don't know that person and didn't want to butt in. But I can here! :"D

As far as juggling with contradiction just to get a reaction, I'm not so much for that. I mean, contradiction for intererst's sake seems somewhat like playing to the audience to me. It doesn't mean that the final product isn't art, but would feel more like an excuse for the artist to grab limelight than to actually make the piece. It would lack sincerity, unless the whole point, I suppose, is to tell the world how wonderful one thinks one is. :"D

Dropping hints and adding opposing views in the work also rings bells in my head about the piece shifting from what it is to fulfill some other point or need. Again, this isn't necesarily a bad thing, it's just not how I work. Then again, the way I work doesn't make any sense and I can't control it very well. At the very least, your theory and said thread gives me a bit to think about.

I suppose it all depends on how much of a message you want, abot how much you're aiming to communicate something solid and specific in your work. Someone like Pseudo Manitou, I would say, uses your theory quite a lot in his work, though the contradictions seem more ironical than anything else. Juxtaposition of figure and words that are edged against each other would seem to be the way his work fits into this. And he's very much about the message.

I'd better stop as this is becoming blathering. Or perhaps it's too late. Thanks for the link, Peggy. Very cool stuff to read.

-T'

[shatterstripes.livejournal.com]

The way I work is as often chaotic and by learned instinct as it is intellectual. But one of my instincts is to be multilayered and a little complicated - enough so that I've developed theories about what works and what doesn't.

I find that very few of my pieces mean the same thing by the time they're done as when I begin them. It says a lot that I usually don't give them a title until they're finished... they're not ready for one.

[sardonicus.livejournal.com]

That....and realize that your audience may see a third theme that you never intended or envisioned.

[shatterstripes.livejournal.com]

*nod* That's part of the theory. Throw in two or more conflicting themes, and there will be enough buried there that the viewer will find some connection to what you're saying, maybe something wild and very significant and personal to them.

Hopefully, it will have something too with the message you hoped to communicate.