tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post7830877051599389626..comments2024-03-20T13:35:46.089-04:00Comments on Life on two wheels: Still thinking...David Massehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346419242154545286noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-72068844314857085952020-01-21T17:30:08.913-05:002020-01-21T17:30:08.913-05:00Not sure I can add much to the discussion, but &qu...Not sure I can add much to the discussion, but "art" at times is in the eyes of the beholder. I am surprised at what some consider art, but then there are times when it seems art is obvious. I suspect some art at the time created was not well received, but now is considered great art. I guess time has a way of culling out good vs bad art.Ozhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14030160141230778351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-65744377053822893162020-01-04T13:03:24.004-05:002020-01-04T13:03:24.004-05:00As often is the case, I'm late to the conversa...As often is the case, I'm late to the conversation. I felt compelled to comment because you, and the commenters, raised ideas that have been moving through my head for a long time.<br /><br />Art is a complex topic made even more so when focusing on appreciation versus criticism versus theory versus collecting versus investing versus producing. <br /><br />I regret not collecting more art. I've had the opportunity to trade photographs or purchase paintings and such from students and end up with work that has become valuable. But I never pursued it really. I have a friend who has a vast collection of art that will more than fund retirement for several people and he never spent a dime on the works. All of it has been amassed via his connection to the art community at the foundation level -- he made trades of his work for the work of other artists. And some of the those people after 30 years have become famous and the work skyrocketed. I recall an afternoon session with a professor who was a sculptor but loved photography. He had traded as well. I viewed in awe a dozen photographs by Michael Kenna, a box full of Diane Arbus prints, and dozens if not hundreds of dye transfer prints by Eliot Porter. I could only guess at what else he might have squirreled away. <br /><br />With each, they chose the art because they loved what they saw. They were not investors or trying to build a specific collection. They just wanted the image and had a way to barter for it. And to each, art was an important part of their life.<br /><br />I no longer ask the question, "Is it art?" The answer is for all of us -- "Yes." There are no requirements or standards to be art aside from being produced by a human. The question becomes more confusing when you ask if it's Art with a capital "A." That designation comes from the magical world of museums, galleries, critics and academics. It's not where I chose to live.<br /><br />So the things you produce, and Michael produces, that are published on your respective blogs are art. Someone else gets to decide whether it becomes Art. And sometimes that designation doesn't come until the artist has been dead for 50 years or longer. <br /><br />Michael's comment shook me a bit as he touched on a subject that has been drifting in my mind for months -- riding as being frankly too selfish. I've recognized a growing whisper that it may be time to stop riding. That a period of my life has come to an end. The reasons are different but it is unsettling to give voice to that kind of change.<br /><br />Anyway, I just try and move on day by day with an honest response to whatever life presents for me to act upon or respond to. And I recognize that the passion to ride has decreased dramatically while the spark to use the camera continues to grow. And as Michael suggests, the camera is not likely to destroy any part of my body.<br /><br />Best wishes for a great New Year!Steve Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04540977884513559091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-6958955512824795042019-12-12T16:38:09.320-05:002019-12-12T16:38:09.320-05:00@ WhenIRide, thank you for stopping by and posting...@ WhenIRide, thank you for stopping by and posting your comment. <br /><br />I had a colleague who often said that the key to getting a good price for your home when the time comes to sell is to have art on the walls.<br /><br />I share your view that the real value of art to collectors like us is to be in the company of art that speaks to us over time in a meaningful way.<br /><br />It doesn't always have to cost a lot of money. Many years ago there was a building under construction in Montreal that I passed daily. Predictably the construction hoarding fence began accumulating graffiti and posters. There was one hastily drawn image that I loved. One day I noticed that someone had stapled movie posters all over it. I came downtown on my bike on the weekend with a pair of pliers and a camera. I managed to remove all the posters and take a picture of the graffiti. With a little luck and some help from a family friend with access to an amazing photography lab, I managed to get a more or less life-sized copy of the graffiti that has hung in my office ever since, more than 30 years now. I now have a strong emotional attachment to that art. David Massehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03964326301299750943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-30884359092392717992019-12-12T16:21:37.128-05:002019-12-12T16:21:37.128-05:00Michael thank you for that very thoughtful respons...Michael thank you for that very thoughtful response. I want to believe that every one of your readersl learned something vital from the Catastrophe.<br /><br />Life is a one-way trip we all take. The key is having as few regrets as possible. We were watching The Crown last night, the episode with the lunar landing that portrays Prince Phillip acutely resenting his sedate isolated life. I have never felt that way. I haven't taken substantial risks like mountain climbing, but I have to some degree followed challenging paths that, so far at least, have come with substantial rewards.<br /><br />Your unflinching account of the Catastrophe and of the way you clawed your way out of that pit, was something very few people would have dared. That you did it took determination and courage. I don't think you will ever fully appreciate the good that came, and will come from that extraordinary effort. David Massehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03964326301299750943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-2313114861158640862019-12-11T00:02:51.007-05:002019-12-11T00:02:51.007-05:00My wife and I collect art as well and like you, we...My wife and I collect art as well and like you, we are in the low to mid 4 figure range. The value of a piece is in the eyes of the viewer. Art that my bride has purchased over the years speaks to her and I, it finds its way deep into our hearts and we never grow old of it. We recently purchased 3 pieces from Patrick Guyton. The larger of the three draws us in, sucks the viewer right into it and puts a spell on you. When my wife saw it in the gallery, she nearly cried. Her reaction to that painting is like none I've ever seen before and the curators said as much. After much deliberation, I reaffirmed for her that if she left that gallery without that painting she would regret it for the rest of her life. We actually left the gallery and 30 minutes later we were back signing papers. Her smile and joy with that art was enough for me. <br />What is good art? "Good" art is what makes you dread not having and brings your wife to tears. WhenIRidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08178131742604362117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-49930290762640697472019-12-10T06:36:39.584-05:002019-12-10T06:36:39.584-05:00I found your last post not surprising at all, I th...I found your last post not surprising at all, I think it was just a matter of time. But I also think the path back to full time work is who you are and it is clear your success lights you up. I don't see any reason to be concerned about it. Perhaps your creativity is your work and if that is so you need to embrace it to be fulfilled.<br />I learned a lot from my Catastrophe, not least that those around you suffer when you lay dying which has pushed me in the direction of family travel. Motorcycling is too selfish frankly so I have taken up the study of digital photography which drives me crazy as I find it far more complex than the bad old days of film. But taking pictures won't destroy my pelvis ( I hope) and the struggle to come to terms with digital sensors is engaging my brain. If ever i go back to a wheelchair my camera will be able to follow me there.<br />On a less tragic note now that OI am walking properly again the business of blogging has always been my outlet. In the bad old days of paper people wrote journals so as not to forget their lives and I have found Blogger to be my journal. In retirement I will not work unless obliged by some further Catastrophe but I will drive down the road take pictures and keep up my electronic page. You will work and improve people's lives and feel fulfilled. <br />Stop fretting.Conchscooterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08016331487463993200noreply@blogger.com