Dear Rob
Although not an academic, I do have a few thoughts on this subject that you
may be interested in.
I find the issues around ego of the artist and manipulation of the viewer
surface constantly in my work.
Artists whose work I see as having this elusive quality are Prunella Clough
and Laura Owens. Seems to me to be something about an acute and finely honed
awareness of the moment, of the materials , of 'starting again' with each
work and the huge difficulties encountered in attempting to do so. So I
guess I see strong connections to Eastern religions and beliefs, a
connection to 'Formalism' and yet something that is more wide ranging and
open ended. It is not trance like automatic drawing...probably the exact
opposite, rather it is an exquisitely acute awareness that informs the
shape, pressure,composition of the mark on the surface.
I think it is a difficult area to work in because it requires courage on the
part of the viewer to accept uncertainty, ambiguity and trust their own
instinctual response. This seems to a very tall order for many in our risk
averse society, where the increasing use of computer language fosters needs
for certainties, and where the media spoon feed images and messages
constantly.
I am very interested to follow the development of this discussion as it
connects so closely to my own work.
regards
val
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Birch" <[log in to unmask]>
To: "Val Stephenson" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2004 11:00 PM
Subject: Ego Free drawing
> Dear All,
>
> Hope I've got thee technology right and you've all got this message!
>
> My name is Rob Birch and I am a student on the drawing as process MA
course
> at Kingston University. My current project ego free drawing, is it
possible
> and if so what would a drawing without ego look like. Does anyone have an
> opinion on this? I would be grateful if any one could come up with any
> artists who their opinion have exhibited such traits in their work. I
have
> drawn up my own definition of what consitutes the ego, but I do not want
to
> bog this request down in intellectual definitions so feel free to
interprete
> the ego as you see fit.
>
> I have found this project problematic in my own practice, as it is
> impossible to 'unlearn' what I already know, but I do believe that as an
> idea it is possible to create an image that is not bound by the ego.
>
> I would be grateful for any imput regarding this issue, and look forward
to
> any replies.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Rob Birch
>
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