Articles and Resources: Art & Craft? or Art vs. Craft?

 

I assigned my class to read this article on scrapbooking (which talks directly about troubling the arts/crafts divide), and then I gave them the choice to read one additional essay of three options—one about sewing and mending clothing, one about woodworking, and one about quilting. These are less explicit in their approach to the central question, though I am planning to group students by the essay they chose to read and have them discuss and present to the rest of the class what each author’s approach to crafting illuminates within the larger conversation. Essentially we’re asking, “What does this author’s relationship to craft have in common with what we know about an artistic practice and art’s function or goal in society?” They’ve reflected quite a bit on this concept through readings and discussions from our first unit, so I am hoping the connections will come easily.

Long & Layered Review of the 2024 Whitney Biennial

Check out this new review in "The Art Newspaper"

This is supplementary reading; it's not required. Only a handful of students will click on this link. 

Stay curious. I know that you're busy with a lot of coursework, but you need to make time.

PS: Students have been telling me they "don't have the time" to complete assignments on schedule. This is almost always a red flag. What they mean is they didn't make the time.  Just saying. 

ArtyBollocks: Making fun of pompous art writing...

 

This artspeak generator is fun and funny, but at the heart of it is the cynical belief that writing about art is a failed enterprise before it even gets started. Good art writing is difficult, not impossible.

Let's Critique ChatGPT

Below you'll see my prompt and the AI output that resulted. I don't really want to call it "writing". The word "output" makes more sense. Good writing is creative and unique. Take a close look at these three paragraphs. How would you characterize the output? In other words, what's wrong or problematic about it? What stylistic features do Chat GPT output and International Art English share? In the words of David Byrne from the band Talking Heads, "You're talking a lot, but you're not saying anything."

Write a three-paragraph essay in International Art English about the 2024 Whitney Biennial

ChatGPT

ChatGPT

The 2024 Whitney Biennial encapsulates the dynamic and diverse landscape of contemporary art, serving as a cultural touchstone for the exploration of pertinent themes and emerging artistic voices. Curated against the backdrop of societal flux and global interconnectedness, this biennial offers a kaleidoscopic view into the multifaceted expressions of today's artists. From immersive installations probing the complexities of identity to boundary-pushing experiments in form and medium, the Biennial embodies the spirit of experimentation and innovation that defines the contemporary art scene.

Central to the discourse of the 2024 Whitney Biennial is its engagement with pressing socio-political issues, reflecting a commitment to art as a catalyst for dialogue and social change. Through a diverse array of mediums, artists confront issues ranging from environmental sustainability to racial justice, inviting viewers to critically reflect on the complexities of our world. This thematic depth underscores the Biennial's role not merely as a showcase of aesthetic prowess, but as a platform for introspection and advocacy, challenging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and imagine alternative futures.

Moreover, the 2024 Whitney Biennial serves as a testament to the global interconnectedness of contemporary art, with participating artists hailing from diverse cultural backgrounds and geographical locations. By fostering cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration, the Biennial transcends borders and fosters a sense of shared humanity amidst the complexities of our modern world. Through its celebration of diversity and inclusivity, the Biennial reinforces the transformative power of art to bridge divides and cultivate empathy, resonating with audiences far beyond the confines of the museum walls.

Open Call: apexart, NYC

 

Every year, apexart holds a competition of sorts. What makes it different and really wonderful is that the curatorial proposals can be submitted by anyone regardless of their status in the so-called art world. And likewise, the people judging the curatorial proposals are not professional curators. Some of the jurors are students just like you. I've been a juror for years. It's actually really fun. 

Today in class we'll read together and rate 10 of these proposals. We will see examples of wonderful writing and also dreadful writing. Most of the writing won't be either extreme. This exercise will help to sharpen your writing skills for your Whitney Biennial catalog entry. You will notice that social and political ideas are often central to current art writing. 

Everyone Hates ArtSpeak

 

About twelve years a controversial article titled "International Art English" was published in a journal called Triple Canopy. This newspaper article  sums up the main points. If you want to read the original piece by Alix Rule and Davide Levine, you can find it here. 

The phenomenon they describe is fairly basic: Too often the writing that accompanies art is full of jargon, overblown claims, and nonsensical garbage. In other words, bullshit. Real people don't speak or write like that. Why do art people? Is it some kind of "insider language" as Rule and Levine claim? Is it like a secret handshake or something?  

But maybe we shouldn't immediately dismiss this kind of writing. Maybe artists--like doctors, lawyers, engineers, or plumbers--need specialized language? Some art is complicated and messy. It's not simple. Therefore, we can't use simple language to describe and evaluate it. 

Of course, the reality is somewhere in the middle. It's not that art doesn't need writing, art needs better writing. That's where your generation comes in. 

Take a look at the text that is included on the webpage from the artist in the Whitney Biennial that you chose. What is that piece of writing like? Can you make yours better? That's your challenge. You have a little bit more room, around 300 words. 

Welcome Back! Catalog Entry Assignment (FYP) Details

 

This assignment is fairly straightforward. Please follow these directions carefully. You will be writing a focused mini-essay of approximately 200-300 words. This is a required assignment in this class, but you will also present it in your First Year Portfolio review as evidence of your art writing skills. 

1. Choose one artist or collective represented in the 2024 Whitney Biennial. Here's the list. Explore all of your options. Make a list of your top 5. 

2. After you've chosen your artist, choose one work to focus on. This work does not have to be in the current Whitney Biennial. Search online for other works. Search for other texts about these artists. 

3. Capture a good screengrab of your chosen work. Write a caption for it. 

4. Write one or two paragraphs that introduces the work and the maker. Who made it? Write a one or two-sentence bio. What does this artist specialize in? Describe his/her/their practice. Give a close reading (formal analysis) of the piece. Describe it carefully and closely. Lastly, what does it mean? Why does it matter? This is the most important part of your catalog entry.  

5. Do not use slang or the "I" voice (first person) for this assignment. 

Examples of past DCAD student catalog entries are available on the Files tab of our Populi page. 

DUE: Monday, March 25. Upload before class starts. 

Questions: csmith@dcad.edu.

Examples of DCAD Student Art Reviews

 I compiled a document of three past art reviews, all successful, from last year's class. Go to Files in your "Writing for the Arts" Populi page. These examples are in no way perfect, but they show clearly the basic moves that every review makes: description and evaluation. 

I didn't include examples that include images, but here are some screen grabs. Remember to include  caption information directly under the image. Look how it's done in your Gardner's textbook. All you need is the artist's name, title of the piece, and the date it was made. The third example almost gets this right. Other information such as medium and size are ok to include but not necessary:

1.

2.

3.