romantic sweetheart Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 An artist friend of mine enjoys replicating fine and religious art from the 1800's, but then adding in sexual imagery, such as condoms, nude modern people, penises, vaginas, references to Playboy pin-ups, etc. He also finds religious artifacts and then creates diaramas, adding in sexual imagery as well. He gave me a CD displaying his work, but I am not really sure what to say about it, as he is anxious to hear my opinion. My taste in art is dreamy and romantic; I'm not really used to viewing the kind of art he does. I realise every artist has their own personal style, and I respect that. I just am a little shy and embarrassed about the overtly sexual nature of his work. I am not embarrassed about the human form, because it is beautiful. I just feel a little uncomfortable when it is portrayed sort of crudely. There is a painting he did, for instance, a replica of "Man Remembering Himself" depicting a woman shying away from a man's amorous stare. In his rendition, she is handing him his penis, which has been lopped off. In another piece, he shows a sculpture of the last supper, and adds in a figure of a waiter who has a huge screw (penis) projecting from his groin. In another replica painting of a battle scene, he paints in used condoms on the ground. I know the art is meant to be funny, but I am just not feeling insipred by it. I don't know if the message of the art is that we should make light of sexuality and nudity..... But I feel very private about sexuality, preferring to regard it as sacred. I am, probably obviously, a hopeless romantic..... What do I say when he asks how I felt about his art? I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, as I appreciate the creative process. And yet I don't want to praise it highly and sound insincere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isisastaria Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Well, I think you're really just having the type of reaction that most people would have. I think it's totally justified to feel that way. What's the worst thing that could happen if you don't like your friend's art? Oh no! You were raised to believe sex is sacred! Oh shame on you for having an opinion! I'm sure many others will feel the same way you do. I would give him your honest opinion. He's trying to be different and funny, and may not realize how some people may feel about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melrich Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Most artists are very into honest feedback. I don't mean feedback such as "Oh the way you drew that tree sucks, it doesn't even look like a tree." but honest feedback as to how the art made you feel. Your friend probably doesn't want to hear "Oh it's nice". You might be surprised but he may be quite chuffed if you were to say "On one level it really disgusts me, it offends my ideals of sexuality." Artists want people to "feel" their work. So i"d be honest about the feelings his art invoke in you. If he reacts badly (I don't think he will) then he's probably not cut out to be an artist (or the type of artist he's trying to be). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvaGina Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Tell him what you told us. To be fair, he probably KNOWS you wont be totally into it, and enjoys the shock value. I think it sounds brilliant tho!! I would love to see some of his work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romantic sweetheart Posted March 20, 2007 Author Share Posted March 20, 2007 Thanks for your advice--You are right--Why do I feel wrong to have a feeling or opinion about something? Thank you for reminding me that I am allowed to have a personal reaction to art, and that it's okay! It is true that an artist is looking for genuine reactions to a creation.....Senses of humor are unique to each individual.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romantic sweetheart Posted March 20, 2007 Author Share Posted March 20, 2007 Yes, I should be honest about my reaction. And yet I find it so hard to do so! I think I just want to let him know I appreciate his willingness to share his work with me.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melrich Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Well tell him that as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarnelianButterfly Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Sounds like he's a shock artist. Art is about emotion and trying to get your viewer to feel something new or respond to some idea. Art is also very subjective, most modern works would not be considered art by impressionist artists, just how impressionist were not seen as artists by classical painters. Tell him how you felt. Your opinion is you own and if you don't like it that is how you feel and that is your choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romantic sweetheart Posted March 20, 2007 Author Share Posted March 20, 2007 Yes, art is all about emotion. Creativity is born of the desire to inspire feelings and thoughts in people. Some artists seek to shock or challenge us. Others seek to soothe and soften us. Some artists want to show us beauty. Others want to show us the hard side of reality. All sides of art seek to show something inward about the creator. And so our response is deeply personal as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisch Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 For your friends sake you should consider that he is trying to be more than a shock artist here. While meaning is only up to each and every veiwer, the artists intentions cannot really be assumed (assuming they have any in the first place). Perhaps he is trying to express the hidden sexuality behind human behavoir or envision a world where sex is not taboo. You could ask him if you are interested, just musings... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aleadragonhawk Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Be honest with him. For me, there is nothing more annoying than when I show a work of art to a friend and have them say "That's nice." He knows what he painted, and knows that it's potentially offensive and will make some people uncomfortable. You being one of those people shouldn't be a problem at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayKay Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 The point of his art, for him, is to cause people to question it, to be shocked or offended, to question their interpretation of it, to think themselves why it does bother them that there is sexual imagery in it, to question WHY they are offended by it when it is reality of sex interspersed with these religious images, maybe he is also commenting on the religious beliefs, standard themselves and so on. Not just to paint pretty pictures and have people want to hang them in their living room as the colours match the sofa... As an artist myself (well, when I have time!), I can also say he probably wants an honest opinion of how it makes you feel. I can also say he won't base his continuance of what he is doing (or not) on the feedback from one person! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jengh Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 I agree with being honest but I think you should throw in a compliment as well. If he truly is a great painter, tell him that. Tell him, you have real talent, your work is great, but this stuff if just not my style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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