About a month ago, while grappling for ideas for the next show, I called upon an acquaintance with a PhD in Art History for wise words on the nature of art or artists. Although she supplied me with grave quotes from some of art’s historical heavy hitters, the smartest words were hers: “the quality of art lies somehow in the conviction of its producer. The audience has to believe that they aren’t being fooled with, even if the work looks inept or is disturbing at first encounter. The object has to reward our taking it seriously.”
I call that a pretty-dang-good cut-to-the-chase assessment. Thank-you, Margo Hobbs Thompson, Assistant Professor of Art History, Muhlenberg College.
Every now and then, my biz partner will ask me whether a particular piece is “art.” This is a loaded question, stemming from an indiscreet observation on my part about some paintings we saw at an open house-work (featured in one of the world’s most prestigious museums, mind you) that I claimed was “not really art, but more like decoration.”
I may never live this down.
Just as I love a range and variety of people, I also love a range and variety of art. And, just as I do not warm to all people, I am not keen on every piece of art that crosses my path. But what I need in order to call something “art” is a sense of that conviction.
On the 15th of March, at 7 PM, we’ll be hosting a Lecture and Exhibition at our listings at 111 East Santa Fe Ave. The speaker, Dan Milnor, is a photographer who’s made a name for himself shooting weddings and kids, although he’d rather you didn’t know that. Especially the wedding part. Why? Because people get certain notions about wedding photography, and by extension, wedding photographers, and those notions incline them not to take such work, or its author, seriously.
Go to Dan’s website https://www.milnorpictures.com. Well, you won’t see any weddings, but you will see kids and you will see Dan’s documentary style, and his tagline: Contemporary. Spontaneous. Real. The pics will convince you. Conviction.
Dan’s lecture will kickstart our next exhibition featuring the photography of a range of earnest talents, held once again at the Belladonna: Seven Condos and Townhomes on East Santa Fe Ave. Come by and support the good work of great creative lights.
We use the vehicle of our real estate listings to showcase the work of emerging and independent artists. Artists receive 100% of the proceeds of all sales. For full access to the Santa Fe MLS, visit our website at: https://santafedowntownrealestate.com
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