it’s a quality « Keri Smith

December 13th, 2010

it’s a quality

(photo by Alan Grant)

“I’m a little taken aback by anyone calling himself an artist because of my feeling that that’s the kind of designation that other people should give. You can be an artist in any field, but getting a degree to call yourself an artist would be like getting a diploma to call yourself a genius. If your work is good enough, it can be art, but art isn’t a product. It’s a quality. Sometimes that’s lost sight of. Quality can be in anything.”
—Charles Eames

Dec 14 2010
3:22 am

pixie writes:

“Art isn’t a product”. While so many things are. Ahhhhhhhhh.

Dec 14 2010
8:21 am

ROB writes:

“QUALITY CAN BE IN ANYTHING” LOVE THAT XXXXXXXXXXXX

Dec 14 2010
2:01 pm

Claire writes:

AMEN to that!! :)

Dec 14 2010
3:20 pm

Jen writes:

Yes! I love this. Thank you!

Dec 15 2010
5:51 am

Kathrin writes:

Thank you for that post!

Dec 15 2010
12:14 pm

Ceparie writes:

and that “quality” should invoke some kind of emotional response, to me that’s what elevates it above all that other stuff (product).

Dec 15 2010
4:20 pm

Folkscallmejonny writes:

and also that quality contains the originality which is inevitable when people allow themselves to be themselves.

The irony is that the more personal we make our work the more universal is its appeal (because it’s honest).

Dec 16 2010
8:05 am

nina writes:

And in most cultures, except for maybe some suburban western ones, shamans do not call themselves shamans. Only the community can call someone a shaman. It’s considered jinx-like to call oneself a shaman — it gets in the way, the ego blocks the healing work that needs to happen. Is there a parallel here?

Dec 18 2010
7:37 pm

ActsofBeauty writes:

I am glad to be able to call myself an artist, I am glad I have the courage to identify myself in this way and I am always encouraged when others call themselves this, it’s inspiring when people have self-belief – I notice it helps others to have more faith in themselves too.

Dec 23 2010
10:27 am

Ym writes:

Does it really matter? (anyone calling himself an artist)
If it helps the person, if it encourages the person and allows her/him to grow into an even better artist what the heck?
In my opinion we are all artist and it would be great if we all could be more aware of this. Come on, don’t take things so seriously, lets start playing together! degree or no degree, label or no label…

Dec 27 2010
1:39 am

Hillary writes:

This quote is exactly what I needed.

Dec 28 2010
7:34 pm

Stephanie writes:

I get the idea, but I don’t agree with the statement “If your work is good enough, it can be art” because whether or not something is good is entirely subjective. There is no consensus on what is good… We never tell a child there art is no good, and yet when we get older somehow there is good and bad art. The question is whether WE like our own art, and that is often the hardest part. It took me a long, long, long time to have the courage to admit I was an artist. I don’t make a living by creating product of art, but I love to create and draw and paint and take photos, and people often tell me they like what I do. Even though others often ask, “are you an artist?” it is still difficult to say “Yes, I’m an artist” because the designation seems so official, like a stamp, and my feelings about what I do are continuously evolving.

Dec 28 2010
8:17 pm

kerismith writes:

it’s just food for thought people.

not intended as dogma.

I like to post things that make me think.