It makes the art more "authentic" (if I can use that loaded term) if you have a story or explanation that goes with it. Or, it makes the are more believable. It shows the thoughts of the artist, otherwise, the viewer is left with control of the creation process. Or that is just my view. There are so many theories about who actually creates meaning in art, the viewer, the artist, the system in which the art is produced, etc. etc.
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That's what I think too. The creation process truly is part of the finished piece and it sometimes gives a deeper meaning to the art and sometimes changes the way we see or feel about the art.
So true. Few understand this. Presenting only the artwork sometimes leaves the viewer wanting more. Often I walk in art galleries that are mostly void of explanation. I find myself yearning to communicate with the artist, not necessarily to find out more about the deeper meaning per se, but just to understand the creative process as you mentioned as well.
Also I love watching the art process which, in my opinion, is art too. The journey to the finished product.
From a rather post-modern perspective, the process of making art is, like you said, also art. Video tape yourself can slap the label of performance art on it and call it a day! No, just kidding. But it is like that, seeing the artist go into the space of creativity and the subsequent "performance" or creation is awesome.
On a different note, check my review of your work! It is not very long or detailed, and I am sure you were tagged in it.
Thanks for the insightful discussion on the process of creating art!
Video of tape yourself might also be art, it all depends. If there's also a message in it, a reason, something the artist wants to say, with the method of performance, it definitely is art. One might say it's the thought that counts. :) But do people like it or not, that's always debatable.
Take for instance Butoh dance. Is it performance or dancing? Is it art? I think it is, all of those. And when you know the history behind butoh dance, where it's origin is, why it was created, it really gives a deeper meaning, especially to those performances where traditional butoh dance is used.
But do we as spectators need to know the history or the creation process behind a certain style or an art piece to understand it? In my opinion, no. I think seeing things not knowing anything about them is totally fine and acceptable. And sometimes it's a cool experience to see things not knowing anything, after seeing it the first time finding out stuff and then experiencing the art again, perhaps in a whole new way. But then again, coming back to that "tape yourself" thought, if the art doesn't give anything to the spectator, no thoughts, no questions, no peace of mind or an uncomfortable feeling, nothing, was the art worth making for?
Thank you so much for the review! You chose the words in your review so well that there's nothing left to add. Well summarized!
And thank you too, I really enjoyed our discussion. Art talk is always welcome.
That is so true. I video-taped myself making some abstract paintings a while ago, just for documentation's sake. The video ended up becoming a type of performance art in itself, unplanned.
Wow, I have never even heard of it, but viewing it, I am mesmerized. As someone unfamiliar with the history and cultural situatedness thereof, I lean towards it being art. The video I watched just now of it reminds me of the lead singer frontman of the band Tool, Maynard James Keenan. In his older live performances, he danced in a very similar style. I wonder if he might have been inspired by Butoh dance.
This is a very thoughtful question. Like you said, leaning toward a "maybe no", and with the addition of making one feel uncomfortable, etc., it all depends right. In the end, art cannot really be bound by rules. But I am reminded of a quote by a philosopher, William Marx in The Hatred of Literature, writing about literature that does not shock one:
I think that quote can be relevant to all art as well. And I think Butoh dance also fits in this. It immediately makes one uncomfortable if you are not familiar with it. I am not sure if this is a legit and authentic version of it, but it is one of the first when I google it:
Again, irrespective of cultural and historical significance, this dance reminds me of performance art, I struggle to fit it into any predefined notions of art, it makes me feel uncomfortable, it challenges me, it makes me think differently, etc.
Sorry for the already too long comment!
I am so glad that the review got chosen and that you find it well!
Oh gosh, an honest mistake by me. I added the word of in my mind and also understood it so. Although I do love to misread words and purposely talk about that misread subject, this was an honest mistake.
My mind had this image of someone using actual tape (duck tape or something) and recording a video of that. 😀 But now that I read again our conversation, I don't think it matters that much if we talk only of a videotape or a videotape of taping oneself.
Anyway...
I found a Maynard James Keenan compilation and yeah, sure looks awfully like Butoh dance. Perhaps some krumping there too. I'm calling that authentic movement. Just free association. And I think most of us, if given no idea or ideal way on how to dance, or if our minds would be erased of the "rules" on how to dance, and also given the gift of not caring at all what other people think, when hearing that music, we would dance like he does.
That video you found (I think it's mesmerizing too) looks like very traditional Butoh dance, though I'm not an expert but sure looks like what can be defined as a reaction to post-war shock and discarding the traditional classical moves that are often described as beautiful and easily absorbed. The William Marx quote is spot on. About Butoh and art generally. We need art challenging us. Art at it's best is something that challenges us in some way. May it be opinions of the world or self reflection but challenge it must. Although some might disagree but fortunately we: you, I and William Marx know better.
Also we of course need art to show feelings like anger or sadness. Or to tell horrible stories. In my opinion, if something indescribably horrible has happened, why would an artist try to please the audience by sugarcoating it to a pleasurable art that doesn't make the people watching the art uncomfortable? Is it the same story or does it tell another story about pleasing people over your own needs. Stories that no-one perhaps wants to see or hear need to be told too because the world is full of them.
I love talking about art, dancing and philosophical topics so your comment wasn't too long at all. I love reading long comments, in this case especially! And besides, my comments are long too.
Here's one modern Butoh performance that combines so many things I love. Dancing, ingeniously video, glitches, weirdness and awesome city scenery with really cool colors. Not forgetting philosophy. The mood is so cool and the whole video is so captivating.