Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/02/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]From: Mike Johnston <<<Why is it that we can discuss the minutiae of finders and serial numbers interminably, but as soon as we have a decent discussion going about art--or just about a photograph or two--it deteriorates into a series of woeful puns about cow udders? I knew this was going to happen. This, or something like this, always happens, and not just on the LUG. It's the internet equivalent of a collective nervous fit of the giggles.>>> I'm not sure that's the case, maybe it is... I think this is a great thread because everyone has a BIG interest in these matters. Not having an interest, for a professional/seasoned shooter - doesn't exist. And the majority of it may be a "Disinterest" but it qualifies because it's most likely a "passionate" disinterest or opinion/attitude that is the grounds. I don't think this is ART vs. TECHNICAL... (A)-------It's "I THINK ART IS AN EXPRESSION THAT EXPRESSES THE INEXPRESSIBLE AND REPRESENTS THE CREATIVE VISION OF THE ARTIST AND THE COMMUNICATIVE ELEMENT THAT IS REFLECTED UPON"------------- vs. -------- (B)---------"I THINK ART IS GREAT TOO, BUT MOST OF IT IS REALLY NOT SO GOOD... IT MERELY HIDES BEHIND THE MASK OF THE WORD "CREATIVE" AND IN THIS GUISE IT FOOLS PEOPLE INTO APPRECIATING SOMETHING THAT THEY, UPON FURTHER HONEST INTROSPECTION, DO NOT LIKE AT ALL"------------ At this point it then becomes (A)THIS IS SUBJECTIVE AND YOU COULD BE MISSING THE MESSAGE AND MEANING (B)TRUE I MIGHT BE, BUT THIS IS SUBJECTIVE AND <THAT> STUFF IS JUST NONSENSE. I apologize for the over-simplification and highly incomplete analysis. It may appear to be so, but it's not really as simple as I stated or others have, the meaning behind "B" is NO LESS valuable and meaningful that "A". I'm personally much more passionate - well falling on the side that that stuff up there on the wall and the "confused looking" or "pondering people" or the "suspiciously interested" gazing at it is enough to for one to become angry, sick or just hilariously objectionable. Personal taste? Fine, but this does NOT mean LOOK MORE CLOSELY it means LOOK AT SOMETHING ELSE - subjectivity is not 'all is equal'. That's a common modern day fallacy. <<<I really am puzzled about why it's so difficult for people to discuss aesthetics. It happens in the magazine, too. Every time we make a brief, responsible, and conservative foray into discussing actual accomplishment, the 'why' instead of the endless 'how,' we get letters from people pronouncing it 'fluff' or 'filler' and exhorting us to get back to 'solid technical information.'>>> The Why? I first like to know the "What" (is it) - a rare thing in the galleries... <<<Well. Eggleston uses Leicas, not Hasselblads. He was born rich and continues to be rich and has many very beautiful and rare antique Leicas. He also, according to one essay about him, has two wives in two houses and often answers his doorbell holding a pistol. Another of his passions is building loudspeakers, and his son, also called William, owns a company called "Egglestonworks" that builds an extremely expensive speaker called the "Andra" that won an award from _Stereophile_ magazine a while back. Eggleston is a significant photographer. Some people even like his work. And if you don't, well, _you_ go try to sell your "bad snapshots" for $4,500 a pop. Better than having to dress toddlers as daisies any day. One day I'm going to start a newsletter that will discuss _only_ aesthetics and accomplishment, and questions about what one's tripod legs should be made of will be the ones that elicit the hoots and raspberries.>>> - -----You know, this discussion has hoots and raspberries (with jell-O for afterwards) because it IS of interest, just an oppositional sort which is fine.---- BUT THE BLAME ON THE REPRESENTATIVES AND CURATORS OF THESE SO-CALLED 'CREATIVES'! THEY ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING AND IN A SNOBBISH WAY (read their demands regarding 'new' 'fresh' talent ) (personal insert) <<<End of Eggleston discussion. Let's get back to something vital like frameline brightness, the durability of camera coverings, whether we should or should not use filters, or our preferred camera straps--i.e., the important things about photography. In the meantime, I can enjoy these dazzlingly brilliant and creative bovine puns, which I find delightfully entertaining and so very worth my time.>>> Right. "dazzlingly brilliant". You said it yourself. <<<- --Mike ..............>>>>>> ENo