--Medium Enlarged--
“The object of art is to stretch out the ultimate realities through the medium of beauty”
-Ralph Vaughan Williams, 20th century English composer
When we use the term medium in reference to art, we are referring to the physical means through which the artistic idea is expressed—oil paint, pastel, papier-mâché. It is important to realize, however, that these distinctions are not only artificial, but also that they are harmful to art criticism. They obscure the fact that, if a piece is good art, it should transcend its materials, and also they ignore the reality that superficial categories have led to the false hierarchization of the arts. By some critics’ whims, marble is made greater than clay, oil is better than watercolor, and pottery is cast into that abyss known as Crafts. Marble and oils may be more difficult to master, but if there is anything transcendent about Art, then surely it can manifest itself in any material. And if any distinction is to be made according to medium, then let that word refer to the artist who is the true channel between Beauty and the world in which we live. (N. Jordan)
-Ralph Vaughan Williams, 20th century English composer
When we use the term medium in reference to art, we are referring to the physical means through which the artistic idea is expressed—oil paint, pastel, papier-mâché. It is important to realize, however, that these distinctions are not only artificial, but also that they are harmful to art criticism. They obscure the fact that, if a piece is good art, it should transcend its materials, and also they ignore the reality that superficial categories have led to the false hierarchization of the arts. By some critics’ whims, marble is made greater than clay, oil is better than watercolor, and pottery is cast into that abyss known as Crafts. Marble and oils may be more difficult to master, but if there is anything transcendent about Art, then surely it can manifest itself in any material. And if any distinction is to be made according to medium, then let that word refer to the artist who is the true channel between Beauty and the world in which we live. (N. Jordan)
posted by Prometheus Publications at 2:11 PM
4 Comments:
"...if there is anything transcendent about Art, then surely it can manifest itself in any material."
I picture a three-year-old's crayon drawing on the refrigerator. Do you think that art critics have to deny that their kids' drawings are really art? Ick, I hope not.
You bring up an excellent point that should be observed by more artists; who can say how many creative opportunities have been missed because of such snobbery regarding mediums?
Nicely put. You're right- the medium is (or should be) the artist. I had never thought about it that way. Very poetic.
Dang you can write.
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