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“Feel the Pain”
What is Dark Art? A Definition.
Primarily a product of the 20th Century, dark art is an art style defined as that being "dark" or unsettling in nature. Called and classified under many names such as gothic, horror, metaphysical, nightmarish, and disturbing, it is actually a culmination of techniques and styles. It has been presented in many forms by many artists, illustrators and film-makers. It continues to grow in popularity as a part of the horror genre and gothic, music and publishing culture. Today, it is a part of our mainstream culture, crossing over into multiple mediums including advertising, television, film, and marketing. While it has roots in horror, it has been presented in collage, surrealism, abstract, motion graphics, grunge, expressionism, and largely digital art.
“Crime Scene 4 - Global Fever 2”
Art History: Gothic Art (1100 - 1450)
Beginning in the twelfth century, Gothic painting, sculpture, and architecture quickly became dominant in Europe and remained popular until the Renaissance. The Gothic style originated in Italy and quickly spread throughout Europe, staying dominant for the next 200 years. During the Renaissance, writers criticized it as vulgar and hence named it Gothic art after the Gothic tribes that destroyed the Roman Empire and classicism during the fifth century.
The Gothic Style was dominated by dark oil paintings that represented a shift from the Dark ages into a more prosperous and civilized society. The movement was typified by its increased naturalism. At the same time, Christianity was entering a new predominant phase, which encouraged Gothic artists and architects to apply the style to large cathedrals and churches. Gothic art and architecture consisted primarily of religious works and was characterized by arches, stained glass, and illuminated manuscripts.
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Living Decoration”
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Faces in the Mirror”
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Contamination among the Arts: Oreadi
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Bolzanogold I and II
and Butter Crucifix Gold
Talking about your art… Tips for Selling
The overwhelming majority of people know little or nothing about art. But they like art-- I've never met anyone who doesn't-- and they could possibly be convinced to buy art given the right set of circumstances. However, people only buy things they understand; they don't like to be confused, and they don't buy stuff that confuses them. So if someone shows an interest in your art, and you respond by confusing them, chances are excellent that they'll retreat.
Your mission is to learn to talk about your art in language that just about anybody can understand. You see, when someone understands something, and it's something they care about, they'll want to know more. If they realize that they care about it a whole lot, they'll want to incorporate it into their lives. If the "it" happens to be your art, you make a sale.
I can think of no business where product presentation is so consistently, universally, and unbelievably convoluted as it is with art. For example, when you shop for an iPod, do you get an explanation of how the MPEG compression system and subsystem reduce file sizes to enhance storage capacity? NO. You're told how many songs the iPod holds. It's an iPod; it stores music. That simple.
You can do the same with your art. No matter what your situation, make your introductory quick, direct, and easy. ALWAYS ASSUME THAT PEOPLE WHO SHOW INTEREST KNOW LITTLE OR NOTHING ABOUT ART. For instance, here's how Martin Lawrence Gallery introduces the art of Keith Haring: "Keith Haring believed in art. He believed in its power to transform lives. Perhaps more important, he also believed that art was capable of engaging and enriching the spirit." This works; it's sappy, but it works. Anybody can grasp and appreciate those statements; they're all that's necessary to perk potential buyers, hold their attention, and progress one step closer to making sales. Yes, they oversimplify the art, but they keep people in the game.
"Oh, no," you say. "I can't do that with my art. That's crude, debasing, and insulting. My art is way more complicated. I need time. I have to explain it in depth so that viewers really appreciate what it's about." You are wrong. Of course your art is complicated, and of course you have plenty to say about it. But save it. If you want people to identify with and establish meaningful connections to your art, and especially if you want them to buy it, assume they know little or nothing about art, go slow, go easy, and talk on their level. Force-feeding information explodes brains.
All you know is that you love art, you love making it, and you want to make art for the rest of your life. And something deep inside you compels you to do it, right? THAT is what you talk about. THAT is how you introduce yourself to people. Don't maul them with intellect; hook them with passion, conviction, dedication, and a couple of comments about what makes your art unique. I have never met an artist whose art I have not been able to distill and translate into a sentence or three that normal human beings can understand, latch onto, and identify with.
And there’s more…You know what boggles me? The legions of artists who play to the same exact supersaturated art world pinhead that every other artist and his or her jargon-infused MFA-hampered brothers and sisters play to. I mean, give it a break. You're like carp fighting for stale bread crusts at the edge of the dock. Reach out to the other 99.9% of humanity; they like art too, and many of them have discretionary capital to spend on it. Try it. I know you never learned how to talk to ordinary people about your art. But that's OK. It's not too late to start.
I'm not saying you don't have every right to confuse the living daylights out of people. Of course you do. Go for it. All I'm saying is that for anyone who appreciates art, yours in particular, and who wants to feel like they have a grip on whatever it is that they're trying to get a grip on, be a sport and give them that grip. You don't have to throttle them with minutiae in order to validate yourself. Quite the opposite, the true test of your intelligence is figuring out how to make a complex message simple. You're still the same artist, you're still just as good-- and so is your art-- no matter what you say or how you say it. Now go forth and sell.
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Micronirico:Post-Nuclear Foreman
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Surreal and Dark Art Pieces - Why are we drawn to them?
Creative expression allows us to purge, vent, proclaim, deny, pacify, doubt…to communicate. For many, it is the act of working out private thoughts and emotions, fears and failures.
There is a strong correlation between rage, passion, and creativity. Most of us tend to view anger or rage negatively associating it almost exclusively with destructiveness and violence. Certainly this correlation exists, but anger can also motivate constructive and creative behavior.
The more conflict, the more rage, the more anxiety there is, the more the inner necessity to create. Artists tend to feel this inner drive even more intensely than most and in some respects experience and give voice not only to their own demons but the collective demonic as well.
Surreal and Dark Art forms demonstrate a sense of unrest and/or conflict by being 'different' -- perhaps even connected to antisocial attitudes and behaviors. In truth, it is with a dark pallet that enlightenment is often achieved.
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Untitled 11”
Interesting Links and Winks...
CALL FOR COLLABORATORS!
Visualizar ‘09
No entry fees.
ART Retreats in Italy
RETREATS
IN-BOX
Please translate your comments in “World Lingo” a free translation software into English prior to sending them along. Here’s the link:
I do not want to misrepresent anything you have to say. Your participation is great -- keep your comments coming!
In response to last week's "Page" -- Symmetrical/Asymmetrical
It is good that you started this page [blog], indeed , in you this is excellently obtained and I hope it will continue. The main thing to write about is what you examine. Successes. :)
from = Julian
Well, as to say, the commentary was certainly interesting :) Although I nevertheless practically understood nothing. :)
from =BamnapeHb
…This theme is too complex for the novice :)
from = Vasiliy
Paul Yang sent us this link to the virtual game “Dofus” -- try it at your own risk!
BAWWGT.com
In response to Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Balance…[Mary's Page, 19 October] As an evolutionist I imagine the epiphany of perfection comes from imperfection. It appalls me think to symmetry as the divine balance of form. Invert symmetry and perhaps life begins anew. Who said symmetry can’t evolve? What will symmetry be like in 10,000 years?
[Redacted] from = tom@evokedtempest.com,
Tom Crayns
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Naughty”
This page posted 26 October 2009
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