all pictures embiggenable and iPhone made
An article in yesterday's NYTimes caught my attention. The title, Art Is Where the Home Is subtitled, Two gallery shows make a case for the nourishing aspects of objects in artists’ lives. The article began with this:
Artists are picky people. The objects they live with — furniture, artifacts, ceramics, works by other artists — are usually carefully chosen, and they look it. They highlight an artist’s personal or aesthetic connections (or both), and clarify the nourishment objects can give us.
After reading the article I decided it was time to take stock of the objects in my home so I grabbed my iPhone and went to work. My survey, while not completely comprehensive, gives a good/accurate accounting of where my objects interest lie. Which, in a nutshell, could be described as small objects of a somewhat elclectic nature. Some of which have life-meaning for me, some of which are just weirdly cool.
Again, from the article:
The shows ... form a meditation on some of the ways artists sustain themselves and their art.
Re: the above excerpt. I'll be honest, I have never thought that my groupings (as I have now named them) have contributed to the way I sustain myself and my art. However, this article is making me think that I need to think about that idea. Or not.
In the overall scheme of things pyscho-analytical, the objects I have chosen to be part of my daily life undoubtedly have something to say about me. On the other hand, is that someting I need to care about? I mean, I have known for most of my life that I am somewhat of an outlier inasmuch as a part of me is rather mainstream but there is another part of me that is quite the opposite in many ways.
And, suffice it to say, I have always embraced the outlier part of me and it is that part of me which really differentiates me from the crowd. And, the outlier in me most certainly drives what pricks my eye and sensibilities and, consequently, drives the how and the what of my picture making.
my only large grouping
All of the above written, I do like my quirky objects. They do, in fact, bring a certain amount of joy to my daily life. Joy, of course, could accurately be described as an emotional and intellectual nourishment. So, much to the wife's chagrin (she thinks I have too much "stuff"), I will keep, cherish and keep on adding to my groupings.