Great article. The phrase "15 minutes of fame" by Warhol kept creeping up in my head as I read it as I wonder why so many individuals (think: "influencers") will do just about anything for that fame addiction. I was seen years ago when I had shows of my work and having actual collectors of my art was really great. Now, even though I'd love to show my work in a gallery again some day, I really do enjoy the solitude and introspective-ness of creating my art for me now. I was also reminded of how being somewhat 'famous' for a while when I was gallery sitting for the owner of the Gallery I was with when this "artist" came in to show the assistant and me her portfolio of assemblages. When she heard my name she said the most inane thing to me so avidly: "OH I DO ASSEMBLAGE TOO!!!! I TOO HAVE DOLL HEADS, PENISES, WEIRD OBJECTS IN MY WORK!!!!" I looked at her portfolio and it was filled with photos of pieces with junk attached with no rhyme or reason.....each piece was a total mess, no obvious meanings, just shit put together for the sake of putting it all together; I was horrified by what I had seen. I couldn't help my obvious judgement of her crap but the assistant and I tried to be as diplomatic as possible to let her know the owner of the gallery was not looking for another 'assemblist' at this time and mentioned one of the other galleries she should go to. I still cringe when I think about her and her "art" to this day.
That’s funny! I recall thinking, back in the 80’s that Texas was a real Mecca for assemblage artists it seemed like to me but yes, it is one thing an amazing assemblage and another thing a collection of junk. And I think at that time Texas had its own unique assemblage aesthetic. Do you agree? I am not sure how the assemblage scene is now in Texas.
Yes, there was a lot of assemblage art back then.....some great, others meh or worse. I have no idea how it is nowadays as I'm pretty removed from the art scene here by choice. I do what I have to do (that is create what I do) and don't notice much or any assemblage art happening due to all the invites to shows I get.
This is a wonderful post. C. Mehrl Bennett made me a badge years ago: "Chris Wells: Famous Artist." That was all the fame I needed, really: the ironic fame of being recognized, in a gesture, as a human being by another human being, and recognized as a *fellow* artist. Being part of a supportive community certainly trumps fame as something meaningful and worth pursuing.
It also reminds me of the eight worldly concerns in Buddhism. Fame is one of them. The more recognition you get, the more you feel like you have a "reputation to uphold." This phrase itself implies that a good reputation is a certain kind of burden.
We forget that Life is the real treasure. It's available to all of us, but few see it in all its relationships, as they try to produce their own show, their own worth. It's strange that as we work so hard to be seen and to show our gifts, we become less attentive to what is already here. Thanks for the reminder!
Great article. The phrase "15 minutes of fame" by Warhol kept creeping up in my head as I read it as I wonder why so many individuals (think: "influencers") will do just about anything for that fame addiction. I was seen years ago when I had shows of my work and having actual collectors of my art was really great. Now, even though I'd love to show my work in a gallery again some day, I really do enjoy the solitude and introspective-ness of creating my art for me now. I was also reminded of how being somewhat 'famous' for a while when I was gallery sitting for the owner of the Gallery I was with when this "artist" came in to show the assistant and me her portfolio of assemblages. When she heard my name she said the most inane thing to me so avidly: "OH I DO ASSEMBLAGE TOO!!!! I TOO HAVE DOLL HEADS, PENISES, WEIRD OBJECTS IN MY WORK!!!!" I looked at her portfolio and it was filled with photos of pieces with junk attached with no rhyme or reason.....each piece was a total mess, no obvious meanings, just shit put together for the sake of putting it all together; I was horrified by what I had seen. I couldn't help my obvious judgement of her crap but the assistant and I tried to be as diplomatic as possible to let her know the owner of the gallery was not looking for another 'assemblist' at this time and mentioned one of the other galleries she should go to. I still cringe when I think about her and her "art" to this day.
That’s funny! I recall thinking, back in the 80’s that Texas was a real Mecca for assemblage artists it seemed like to me but yes, it is one thing an amazing assemblage and another thing a collection of junk. And I think at that time Texas had its own unique assemblage aesthetic. Do you agree? I am not sure how the assemblage scene is now in Texas.
Yes, there was a lot of assemblage art back then.....some great, others meh or worse. I have no idea how it is nowadays as I'm pretty removed from the art scene here by choice. I do what I have to do (that is create what I do) and don't notice much or any assemblage art happening due to all the invites to shows I get.
This is a wonderful post. C. Mehrl Bennett made me a badge years ago: "Chris Wells: Famous Artist." That was all the fame I needed, really: the ironic fame of being recognized, in a gesture, as a human being by another human being, and recognized as a *fellow* artist. Being part of a supportive community certainly trumps fame as something meaningful and worth pursuing.
It also reminds me of the eight worldly concerns in Buddhism. Fame is one of them. The more recognition you get, the more you feel like you have a "reputation to uphold." This phrase itself implies that a good reputation is a certain kind of burden.
We forget that Life is the real treasure. It's available to all of us, but few see it in all its relationships, as they try to produce their own show, their own worth. It's strange that as we work so hard to be seen and to show our gifts, we become less attentive to what is already here. Thanks for the reminder!
This piece really got me thinking, Cecil. Thank you. I'm trying to "be seen" at the moment, but I do wonder why, all the time!
Delighted to be a recipient of one of these pieces!