ARTWORK AS A WINDOW
“OUR EYES ARE WINDOWS TO OUR MINDS”
Funny about that saying, is that it appears to be one way: IN.
In reality, it’s a two-way street.
We see, interpret and react. As an artist, I see, read and analyze. Then, in turn, interpret, synthesize and react to the visual world around us by visual means of color, line, and form. These three elements can turn into associative, often familiar objects and backgrounds that tell a visual story. Due to the fact that we are all individuals with our own special way of seeing, understanding, responding with a unique method and technique, no two artworks will be alike. Not by the same artist and definitely not among different artists. (Except of course, those set out to copy, for whatever reason. But copying is a different kettle of fish, the intent is not of self-expression.)
There are 790 million people on planet earth today (worldmeters.info). There are 1.4 million working artists in the world today (ACS data) or 1.4% of the USA population are artists. Artwork can be categorized by techniques, materials, subject, forms, and school of art. Abstract vs. Realism, Surrealism vs. Naïve, etc.
“Beach-Day”, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas, 23/30cm, 9.2”/11.6”. @All Rights Reserved to Barbara Adler 2021
This means that there is no real competition amongst artists, as there are enough people and enough artists and styles to go around and make everybody happy. The actual need is to match the artwork and the individual who is buying the artwork according to each individual's needs and tastes.
So, what is the function of the artwork? Up until the end of the 19th century, the artist's job was totally coherent both to the artist and to his surroundings. A painting was A Window to The Disappearing Landscape or Moment, whatever that may be: a scene from a battle, a portrait of a king, princess or queen, a place of importance, a stormy night at sea. Their job was to capture that certain moment, that will be gone forever, giving it a forever-life. The artist, according to the times, could make that moment romantic, realistic, allegoric, or recruited. In the end, there was a framed painting on the wall. Another Window to The House. This window, allowed to go back to that special Time-Space at any given time, open to imagination and stories. A window to the minds of the beholder.
“Mumbo-Jumbo”, Acrylic on Canvas Board, 23/30 cm, 9.2”/11.6”. @All Rights Reserved to Barbara Adler 2021
Since the invention of the camera, at the turn of the 20th-century artist have had to redefine their place and purpose. The change was dramatic. The need to depict precisely and realistically was no longer a need. They had the freedom to explore and understand those three basic elements that I mentioned earlier: line, form, and color and how to tell a story, leaving room for dialogue and interpretation, turning the painting into a never-ending, constantly changing, dynamic story or visual poem.
A good piece of advice both for artists and for art lovers and potential buyers is to remember that the piece of artwork to be hung within the walls of a house or an office (or whatever the chosen space) is that the artwork is Another Window to The House.
It must be able to tell suitable stories that can be appreciated repeatedly each time, literally, from a different angle, with aesthetic value and importance to the space around it.
“SHELL”, Acrylic on Canvas Board, 36/28 cm, 14.4”/ 11’, @All Rights Reserved to Barbara Adler 2021
Everybody needs art. There is Art for everyone’s state of mind, desires, and tastes.
All the works on this blog are for sale and are Barbara Adler originals. I love talking about my art, so feel free to DM/contact me regarding my art and possibly making it yours.
Take a break, reflect and delve into some of my art, to my stories on my website:
BAArtworks.com
Or follow my process and progress on:
Instagram.com/barbara_adler_art