Thursday 3 December 2009

Is Art useless?

Yes.

What's wrong with that?

Think of the 'Art' that's around us.

Hoad Monument - a giant useless sculpture.

East Enders a useless fictional set of stories.

The Dickensian Weekend - lots of stalls selling useless objects - of course some of them were selling essentials - like Mulled Wine.

Man U vs L'pool - a pointless 'battle'.

Yes they're all useless but could we live without them?

In fact would we want to live without them or something similar.

Art is ultimately what we live for. It feeds our emotions. It helps us feel good.

It leads us to choose how we decorate our rooms - the type of furniture, the wall paper, carpet bed cover, plates and cups. How we plan our garden, what car we choose.

So can we stop knocking it - different people like different art - but to say that its useless misses the point.

Without it, it would be pointless, which of course if you stop and think, it really is!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't think art in itself is the problem. What is the problem is that people cannot equate with the "arty farty" types that infest that particular sphere. They seem to be so far up their own arses they can only see the soles of their feet!
ie, people paying millions for pictures that look as if they were painted by a chimp. Queuing up to see a pile of bricks, or a mound of old tyres, and then some bloke trying to explain why they are works of genius...sorry, doesn't work for me!

Geoff Dellow said...

I agree that different art, works for different people.

I do not believe there is 'good' art.

If there is one type of art that excites you to be more creative yourself then this for you is 'good' art.

I also agree that some people are attracted to art for the wrong reasons.

They don't actually like it very much but are conned into thinking that it's desirable.

To my mind any creativity is a good thing for the person who is being creative.

My creativity is linked to my enjoyment of problem solving which is why I came up with improvements to commercial processes for both Glaxo and Shell. Improvements that enabled them to employ people because they had a unique product to sell.

My creativity also led me to establishing a business at The Falls, Ulverston which was praised by the Financial Times and put on a par with one of the best hotels in Cumbria - Sharrow Bay near Ullswater. The result being that I was full all year round with the benefits to the local economy. To convert the building that is now OXFAM and so on.

Creative (including artistic) people I find are risk takers who are willing to explore new boundaries. Because of their contributions to the people around them, they generally go around with a positive attitude often not found with others who refuse to try and prefer to sit on the sidelines and criticise negatively.

I doubt that creative people have much time to read blogs and comment - they're to busy creating - which is why we attract such a lot of negative people here.

They aren't risk takers - they hide behind 'anonymous'; they don't want to take the opportunity to talk to you face to face.

Enough of this waffle -at least it's given the opportunity for my lunch to digest - I'm off to the allotment to shift some real shit and get it to produce cabbages in the summer, keeping my body fit in the process.

sadie said...

Hi Geoff, its good to read that Ulverston is supporting the arts in such a vibrant and accessible fashion particularly as I will be moving there in a month or two! I currently live in London and lecture on the Art of the Soviet Union to students at Goldsmiths. My speciality is the art of the Mongolian steppes and I have become increasingly involved in embroidering pictures in the style of Mongolian women using specially produced yak and horse hair. I actually run a night school class in this at my local college. I've built up a good collection of pictures and have always wanted to stage an exhibition but, this being London, the cost is prohibitive.

I wonder - is Ulverston ready for this!? Is there anywhere there I might put on an exhibition? My partner has created a yurt style tent in which to display my work, it would easily fit in the average garden or small public space and it seems appropriate for this style of art.

Any advice/help greatly appreciated. See you all in January, can't wait!

Geoff Dellow said...

Sadie,

please come down to earth.

Has someone put something in your drink?

Why Ulverston?

Anonymous said...

Sadie
I think you will be making a good move. Ulverston was made for you, as your talents will add to the cultural diversity of the town and will enrich the lives of those of us searching for a more holistic approach to ethnic cultural appreciation.
I was extremely interested to hear that your partner has created your own yurt. My partner and I were considering taking next Summers break in a local yurt dwelling facility, but it is really expensive. We could get some good ideas from your creative efforts as we really would like to construct a dwelling that would be more mobile in the manner of the Siberian Nomads.
So welcome to Ulverston Sadie, we need more like you!

Anonymous said...

Sadie
Suggest you get in touch with www.lanternhouse.org/ and/or just google 'Eden arts' and see what they get up to.
There are places where you can exhibit art and craft, as you will find out when you get here.
There is a local Art group that exhibits regularly. I have not joined as I don't think my work good enough.
Hasn't Mongolian art/craft been on the TV recently (maybe a travel programme?) I have seen something similar exhibited (weaving pictures with wook/hair etc) Quite interesting.

SADIE said...

Why Ulverston? I visited the town during the Flag Festival and was truly invigorated by the design and numbers of so many banners. It was as if the soul of the town itself was on display over the Co-op and the papershop. Roz (my partner) and I then came up for the Lantern Festival. Again, life-enhancing and so so humbling to see that the children of the town make so much effort to enrich the place. Sadly I think we met the only "philistine" in Ulverston who moaned to Roz that he couldn't get in the pub for b***** kids! But we were really so enraptured we let it pass!

Then we researched the town on the net, and it just seemed the right place for yurts and Mongolian art! Ros left her job as community co-ordinator for Acton Gay Street Theatre group and located us a cosy workman's cottage in an area I believe you rather quaintly call the Honeypot and thats about the end of our story. Well, the end of our London story but the start of a whole new one in Ulverston. I think you ARE ready for us. Watch this space!

Geoff Dellow said...

Sadie,

Perhaps someone did spike your drink!

The fantasy of the flags and the lanterns.

You sound like someone that has fallen in love. Reality is just round the corner.

The phrase "Ulverston is supporting the arts in such a vibrant and accessible fashion" may be true compared with other places. - Your referring to the activities initiated by Sue Gill and John Fox who set up Welfare State which has now become "The Lantern House".

Their lantern project has certainly caught on and is looked forward to by the town each year. A large number of us get involved in one way or another.

However this is just one side of the town.

The other is coping with major problems.

Housing, jobs and the general viability of the town as demonstrated by the state of its empty shops and poor servicing by the local authorities both County and District.

If you want my personal opinion then I have the following priorities:

Wanting the people to communicate as well as possible; to understand and be able to respond to the needs of all those around them.

This would involve every effort being made for local people developing self esteem. This involves having good neighbours, being able to buy a house; to find a worthwhile job; to feel people care and that they have a future.

What we have going for us is our size and a great spirit and energy for activities of all kinds.

If new people are coming to the town I would hope that they can help with the above.

We need people with drive and inspiration to develop profitable businesses that bring money into the town. These can be small and employ only a couple of people.

Secondly we need our house prices to go down so that our young people can afford them. We also need good housing to rent at affordable prices.

The most valuable thing that anyone can bring to the town is a strong believe that they can improve the lot of those around them. This may be unconscious - just being good at business ticks a lot of boxes.

What we don't need are spongers who sap us of our good will and give little back to the community.

The needs of the flood victims of South Ulverston at the moment need to be high on our agenda.It's all too easy to have a cosy cocooned existence with an "I'm all right Jack" attitude.

There I've struggled to be honest and leave it to others to provide added insight.

Gladys Hobson said...

How many people move into an area with a 'strong believe that they can improve the lot of those around them'?
We sometimes move because we have little choice, sometimes because we feel a place is right for us. If a place is 'right for us' we may well volunteer our gifts and talents where acceptable. And surely most people want to get on with their neighbours and 'be there' if needed.
New people have to be careful not to tread on the toes of others by being pushy. Fulfilling need is important as by doing so we surely find our own niche in a community.
We can't drive down the price of houses, nor push them up — the market does that.
Civic pride in the 19th century built up what might have otherwise been grubby towns for workers to live in. Instead, in many places, fine buildings and facilities (including parks) benefited the whole community.
Cultivating that pride in community and environment is the work of councils, schools, parents and all with eyes to see and hearts to care.
Sadie has her cultural gifts to add, that can't be bad but rather welcoming.

sadie said...

Yes, we are in love with Ulverston! Our view is that we provide the love whilst the town provides the honesty and integrity, all of which combine to build a solid foundation for our art. The perfect mix.

Being so committed to our art we artists often have problems with reality. I read of the terrible floods in North Langdale Road and my heart is with those people affected. But, I think it was the Crimean philosopher Igor Frigg who explained that "..art sustains and nurtures the peoples' struggles. After all if one can persuade the bourgeoisie that primitive daubs and disjointed sculptures are true, great art then anything is possible..."

Hopefully that sentiment will help.

Geoff Dellow said...

I must admit that I'm deeply distrustful of the notion of "Falling in Love"; I see it as the reason for a lot of unhappiness and disillusionment. A lower target of contentment or just managing is what Bertrand Russell recommended.

It was a thing I used to believe in but now I have learnt to respect the concept that good relationships develop through working at them and negotiation. The concept of "falling" gets in the way of this.

Some people do come to a place in order to get involved with it and contributing - I could name a few. What I'm saying these are the people to be encouraged and I also believe this can be done deliberately.

Also, there are a number of ways that we can influence "market forces" in order to bring prices down. This needs careful thought and very firm handling.

I agree wholeheartedly that pride in the community can be encouraged.

I think Gladys is right as well to recommend taking time to find out how to get involved in the Town. Jumping to conclusions about which group to get involved with is a pity.

My, all these opinions!

Thanks for raising these issues and giving your views - it's made me think more clearly though I feel I still have some way to go.

A bit of analysis can be helpful!

Davina said...

Sadie
There are people here to support you in your endeavours. Gladys Hobson obviously appreciates cultural development and diversity. Mr Dellow seems to be somewhat of a philistine with a political agenda. So please don't let this deter you I am sooo looking forward to your arrival as we are so like minded and feel sure we can develop a yurt construction project together. Which reminds me, I have studied the North American Indian culture quite extensively with particular emphasis on tepee design and decorations and would love to show you some of my work.
Davina

Geoff Dellow said...

My, my,

So I'm "a philistine with a political agenda".

Sounds bad - I can't win!

I don't know how I earnt the philistine label! Have you looked at my blog!

Then, having a "political agenda" is obviously a dirty derogatory phrase to use of anyone.

I guess it depends on which person your referring to!

Have you studied my agenda expressed on this blog?

I'd appreciate being told where you disagree.

As usual, anyone who expresses an honest view is going to get criticised by someone.

Which is why a good politician avoids saying anything controversial.

As I have no aspirations of getting elected but simply offer action to get things done if they fit my agenda, I'm content.

It's good to have you speaking up Davina with your views.

Incidentally if you want to meet someone who actually lives and works in a yurt locally I can put you in touch. Someone who is doing wonders for the local economy and the culture of the area.

See my/her natural local oak bench in the Gill - you may even have a sit on it!

sadie said...

Yurts and tepees - or Tipi in the Naragansett dialect - are heavily symbolic for Ros and I. They represent the transience of modern existence, they reinforce the disturbing fact that we are mere ephemera in the great scheme of things. Here today, gone tomorrow. This philosophy was contained and made into elaborate ritual by the Hunkpapa Sioux shaman Wovoka, shortly before he was shot to death at Wounded Knee, in 1890.

His idea was "my tipi is my life" and he sought to dignify and decorate existence through adorning his tipi with paintings and designs fashioned from coyote hair (the coyote being sacred to the Sioux people)the paint being extracted from crushed huckleberries and squashes grown by the squaws.

Would that such art could find its way into our modern "tipis". Such creativity, such sincerity and honesty about our eventual reunion with nature. I have a book - The Art of the Plains Indians - How America destroyed its Heritage by Hotchkiss Gunne. I'd be happy to loan it to you Geoff and I look forward to long afternoons in Poppies (?) debating Hunkpapa, Oglala and Chippewa ideologies. There may even be scope in Ulverston for a Native American focus group. Any takers?

Davina said...

Sadie
This has been most fortuitous, maybe the world is a smaller place after all. I can't wait for your arrival and hopefully will share your in depth knowledge which you could only have gained in a much broader, more cosmopolitan and intellectually enriching environment...and to come here...wow!!
I quote from Mr Dellow
"Creative (including artistic) people I find are risk takers who are willing to explore new boundaries"
Once again I urge you to ignore his more "Philistine" statement

"Has someone put something in your drink?

Why Ulverston?"
Completely contradictory, don't you think?
Look forward to meeting you and Roz
Davina

sadie said...

Thanks for that Davina. I don't feel that Geoff is a Philistine (of course I only know him via this blog). His drink spiking comment I found rather amusing. Firstly, I rarely drink anything stronger than the fermented yak milk which I get from Ethnic Corner on Acton Broadway. I think I'll struggle to get it in Ulverston. Secondly I just feel that those of us who bubble over with enthusiasm for our interests are sometimes considered odd or eccentric - sometimes plain daft!! Lastly Geoff appears to have insight and perception and I really didn't take the Spiking comment with any offence at all.

Artists and thinkers do explore new boundaries as Geoff suggests. We are indeed on the furthest shores of imagination. A place I am happy to pitch my yurt (or tipi!)

Geoff Dellow said...

First Davina, it's Dr Dellow if you're going to be formal. I prefer Geoff.

Second, You quote questions not statements. In your super polite world are we not allowed to ask them?

Third, I get upset by being sniped at continuously. I'm a sensitive creative guy if you hadn't noticed. However I do this blog because I have what some call a social conscience and want people to stop and think. This leads me to have a political agenda because I can't stand by and do nothing even if doing something hurts.

Fourth I shall try to deal with the issue raised by Sadie's coming to Ulverston in a separate posting. For me it's a very complex question with no easy answers. But one I believe we all need to face up to unless you are an ostrich. (Poor things, they get blamed for a lot - do they really bury their heads in the sand - so I've checked)

I find that

"If threatened while sitting on the nest, which is simply a cavity scooped in the earth, the hen presses her long neck flat along the ground, blending with the background. Ostriches, contrary to popular belief, do not bury their heads in the sand. "

Another 'fact' that we got wrong! It's contagious.

Geoff Dellow said...

You sound like fun, Sadie.

I do miss having discussions with people who aren't offended by probing questions. Something I associate with Universities and Research Companies.

Here I'm often labeled as abusive by what I call middle class 'polite' people. My best friends can take my frank questioning, (which is why they remain friends) but many can't.

It would be good to get another exciting thing going here. My approach is to try this and that until I find something that takes off.

How about buying a field and renting out Yurts to live in. This could provide some relief on the housing front. Might have to take them down for a period in the winter. (Just shift them to the next field - Now who's spiked my drink?) They do something like this in Wales don't they?

Just checked - Dyfi Forest tipi & yurt accommodation.

That would provide alternative accommodation for the people from South Ulverston. Though the floating islands used in Bangladesh would be more appropriate - now nearby we have a Canal . . . . .