Still working on these 0s and 1s.
So last weekend I had a few friends over, including an artist friend (sculptor) named Anna. I was showing them how moku hanga works, demonstrating with one of the blocks from my Mecca print. Anna got it right away, of course. She asked a few questions, was quiet for a moment, and then she said, "That's crazy. That's insane. Why don't you just do it on the computer?"
It is crazy. I guess that's why I'm doing it. I love the fact that I'm not doing it on the computer. I love the fact that it takes a gajillion hours to make these 0s and 1s. It's uneconomical, it's crazy, it's positively counter-cultural. I feel like a quiet revolutionary.
9 comments:
I just like you...but I do like the idea of handwork too..a lot...
I have recently made some canvases where I mounted them on a stretcher frame.....and I wash the canvas in my washing machine before cutting and mounting it...and I like it while it gives such a different feeling of the canvas, more rough expression, and I like doing these canvas` myself because of this effect...if I didn´t it probably would look more smooth and regurlar...
Yes, exactly, plus it truly shows the hand of the artist and that's a good thing.
Of course, it is crazy. Aren't all artists a little bit crazy, some of us more than others? And, no - it cannot be done on the computer any more than a painting can be done on a computer. (Yes, I know it could be and can be, but it is not the same!) So, yes, we are crazy and proud of it! ;-) Of course, you may be just a teensy bit more than the rest - LOL
I had the same experience this summer after explaining the process of a moku hanga print I was working on to my brother. He stared at me for several minutes and then said,"Wouldn't it be a lot quicker to just take a photograph and frame it?" Some people will never understand the JOY we get from the process...........
I'm glad you're still carving, I love your work and that it is so thoughtful.
The Japan Foundation here in Toronto hosts some really exciting exhibits, performances and and lectures and I'm really excited about this one coming up:
http://www.jftor.org/whatson/upcoming.php
Dusty
dusty_grrl@excite.com
Thanks so much for the comments. You've all said wonderful things. Anita, I saw your canvases on your Flickr site and you're right -- they have so much more character after you wash them. It's worth it!
Diana, you're right too, that's the hand of the artist in that photo, but that's her non-working hand!
Sharri, you're crazy and I'm proud of you. :)
Linda, I love your story and knowing that LOTS of people think we're crazy, not just my friend Anna.
Dusty, thanks for the tip about that moku hanga show. If you don't mind, I think I'll do a whole post about it! It looks wonderful.
I love the revolutionary aspect of your work. Keep breaking through those walls you're carving!
long live wonderful craziness!
i love that you carve slowly, with precision and passion.
がんばって、アンーさん！
Fantastic blog! This is definitely an art form that few people understand well, and once you know the level of expertise and involvement you can appreciate it all so much more.
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