"The human mind cannot create anything. It produces nothing until after having been fertilized by experience and meditation; its acquisitions are the gems of its production."
-Georges-Louis Leclerc Buffon
For the artist, the initial burden is inspiration, then the careful development and presentation of a concept. For the viewer, the burden is often great, too. Forming a connection to an artwork… despite taste, despite preconception, despite self, can be a difficult and intimidating process.
The pivot of all art is idea. It is the point upon which the entire art experience, for artists and their audience, depends. The idea affects art's influence, it's success, it's historical relevance and value…for good or ill.
In the upcoming series of articles entitled, "The Shoulders of Giants," I'll share my viewpoints in regards to this topic of idea, along with related concepts of originality and creative thinking. These topics will be illustrated with references to historical and contemporary artworks.
In the next issue of Zoomers, Part I of the series will begin with a discussion regarding contemporary artists Yasumasa Morimura from Japan and Cindy Sherman from the United States.
For a taste of what is to come, check out their work at these locations:
http://www.assemblylanguage.com/images/Morimura1.html
http://masters-of-photography.com/S/sherman/sherman_96_full.html