Last week, fellow beadmaker, Jill Symons (who makes such gorgeous beads) and I had lunch and visited a local art gallery, The Signature Shop.
This gallery has jewelry, wood, ceramics, fiber, glass and other mediums. Well, as two artists viewing other artists' work, you can be sure we didn't just look at every piece and only say, "that's nice."
What was interesting to me, was the way each of us looked at the pieces. Of course now it's a "I should have known it" moment. Jill pointed out that she and I would look at the same item and get something totally different out of it.
I chose two gorgeous functional ceramic pieces from The Artful Home's website to use as examples of what we would have done. The top black and white Viking bowl I would see as- "Can I make this shape?" and start thinking about forming it on the mandrel, which tools would I need, etc. Jill would first see it as the combination of patterns, the contrast in colors, etc.
And again for the Petal Teapot, she would look at the patterns, colors and I would look at the shape first and mentally figure out how I would attempt to replicate it and after that, I'd notice the patterns and colors. (I'm still trying to work out that handle in my mind. It's really cool and would love to interpret that in glass somehow.)
So when you're looking at an object, how do you view it? This eye opener afternoon has caused me to be aware of what I was seeing versus how another artist was seeing the same piece. I am now trying to view interesting art through a variety of "eyes". Tell me about you. What do you see, and how will you look at life a little differently?
This is a great post - I know exactly what you mean! Every time I see a great ribbon on a pattern, I wonder where they got the ribbon.
ReplyDeleteIn my day job I sell wholesale apparel to people who embroider or screenprint on them and then sell them to corporations or schools. As a result, every time I see a logo, I'm mentally examining the shirt to see if I can identify the brand. I know. I'm a total geek.
:)
Rachel
www.bookwormzreader.blogspot.com
It's different with everything...sometimes it's shape, other times, the color combo will slap me in the face! (I'm notorious for texting myself photos of dresses! Not that I ever wear one...just love the colors!)
ReplyDeleteStill other times, it's just a feeling I get from looking at something beautiful that sets my mind reeling...
No wonder I feel like I'm still finding my style!
Interesting post Marcy!
ReplyDeleteI see these two piece differently, the top one captures my imagination because of the patterns more than the shape. But the teapot makes me wonder about the whole thing as a bead - a teapot bead with a simlar pattern. I'm with you on the handle that is quite lovely!
I think mostly it's patterns and colours that catch my eye when I'm out and about.