Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
5:55 pm
NWBA Member
November 8, 2010
Offline
I grew up in Rochester, NY when Al was still blacksmithing. Interestingly enough, it was Sam Yellin that pushed me into it more than Mr P.
My personal approach was distilled from a member here who will remain anonymous;
"If you like forged sculpture, you'd better have a big warehouse"
I like function in my art. Being able to 'break through' to call a pile of steel art and charge for it is the challenge. That's why I've been trying to get away from the 'X $ per lineal foot' price. Come out swinging- you can always lower your price!~
I love the recent story of some New York artist that exhibited and sold the bed she inhabited while writing a book, complete with stained and soiled sheets for $400K. THAT's ART!!:poop:
They only remember you when you SCREW UP~!!!
6:14 pm
NWBA Member
April 22, 2010
Offline
I am pretty sure Albert Paley is NOT the son of William Paley.
He is, however, a college professor, and most of the work that he did was not paying his own personal bills- he got a salary, and pension and bennies from the school, and so could afford to break even, or lose money, on his blacksmithing.
I am not putting Paley down- I think he is a good artist, a good craftsman, and has done a LOT for blacksmithing in the USA.
But he does have the complete package needed to succeed, and that includes a bit of self promotion.
We can argue all day about what is art, and what isnt, but I think it really comes down to what you like. And there is somebody, somewhere, who likes just about anything.
Me, I dont find Damien Hirst to be the complete charlatan Jack does- I have seen a fair amount of Hirst pieces in person, and some worked for me, and others didnt.
There is a very wide spectrum of stuff people make.
Way over at one end is craft, strictly functional and all about technique.
And over at the other end, is pure idea, where the object itself is either unimportant or nonexistent.
I like both, when done well.
I have seen plenty in the middle, too. Stuff that is flawlessly made, but no ideas.
Stuff that is shittily made, but has great ideas.
I am a big fan of Duchamp, who basically ripped the lid off the whole thing- while he could paint quite well, he chose not to, and, instead, asked questions that didnt have answers, driving literal minds crazy. He pretty much never did the same thing twice, was as interested in playing chess as in making art, and insisted on having a good time no matter what.
He was also very smart, and his work is not craft- there is no technique in most of it, but it makes me think.
9:42 pm
March 26, 2010
Offline
Cybo;7827 wrote:
I love the recent story of some New York artist that exhibited and sold the bed she inhabited while writing a book, complete with stained and soiled sheets for $400K. THAT's ART!!:poop:
possibly that's Tracey Emin ..... English
10:45 pm
NWBA Member
April 22, 2010
Offline
Tracey Emin sold her bed in 1998 or so for 120,000 pounds- not sure what the dollar equivalent would be, but probably nowhere near $400k.
12:43 am
December 19, 2010
Offline
I think i struggle with the fact that some people hit it big who are creating stuff i find uninteresting. While other craftsmen who are doing what i feel is great work are struggling. I know its in the eye of the beholder, and i am all for someone hitting a home run and making a shit ton of money. Thats art i guess. I think it just annoys me when artists market themselves by claiming an over-complication of their work. They are just as deserving as anyone else i suppose, but i feel the true craftsman deserves a bit of recognition.
A perfect example would be Dangers beautiful wing he created. From what i remember he entered it into some sort of showing and it didn't get the recognition that so many of us lavished it. I thought it was a truly fantastic piece, and i know a lot of others did as well. This is the art world i thumb my nose at. A piece that is beautiful in every way, complicated to produce, but doesn't fit in to someones agenda because they are pushing some other art or artist, that is bullshit.
Where the true artists shine in my opinion is when they make the stuff that gets them excited and could care less what the general public thinks. No marketing, no bullshit. When those guys make it, it seems like a true victory.
2:30 pm
May 15, 2010
Offline
Thanks Brian,
I build art because I feel that is my purpose, I don't understand as much of the intellectual side of it all and can seldom speak intelligently about it, which I'm sure would sound like bullshit if I did. I do appreciate beauty and enjoy trying to create it as well, in the end its just filtered from my environment and experiences in life, everyone does this, I'm just doing it in metal. Weather it's a stair rail or a 30' tall 2 ton kinetic monster.
My wing and tree has been passed over yet again, at the Dogwood festival show in Knoxville, I am entering them in a show here in Atlanta and hope to have an audience this time. It is important to me that my work is seen and that it is critiqued for its purpose. I will do the work without affirmation its just part of who I am but at this point in my career I feel I am good enough to be paid for it as well. I am a semifinalist for another public sculpture and I am pursuing the opportunities that will allow me to support my family with my art so I suppose I need to get out the bullshit box and squawk it up!:poop:
Michael Dillon
http://dillonforge.com/
4:57 pm
March 22, 2010
Offline
I love your stuff Mike and it surprises me that people are not excited about your wing, I really really like it.. Hell if I win the lotto I'll buy it :cloud9:
Whatever you are, be a good one.
Abraham Lincoln
4:58 pm
March 22, 2010
Offline
andy blakney;7824 wrote: There is a market for art.I have never herd anyone say they dont like wrought iron.Blacksmiths need to educate the public constantly about what they do.Why would you avoid a market that buys useless things made out of scape from paying jobs you have run.The same skills and tooling can make useless things that people will pay you for.The same public might have other needs such as railings etc.I think pros need to price there creative projects inline with there shop rate.Simply because what do you when a customer says ."I dig that pin head deal I think it would be perfect for my project,lets see Im gonna need 30 of them suckers.What do get for them?" I take rejection put it in a sandwich and eat it .Let it fuel your fire.
I liked that so much Andy I made it the "quote of the day"!
Whatever you are, be a good one.
Abraham Lincoln
10:01 pm
December 19, 2010
Offline
Yeah, that wing is amazing Michael. Do those large structures move? Like the kinetic desk pieces?
Larry, you should look into some work in big sculpture, you have some great ideas demonstrated in your pictures of the smaller sculptures. I know it costs, but you seem to enjoy it, just think of it as a hobby! People pay good money for their hobbies, i know i do. All my family and friends are interested in what i do, but i think they think i am an idiot for spending all the money on tools and steel. I am constantly trying to figure out how i am gonna buy the next new toy!
12:44 pm
May 15, 2010
Offline4:19 am
December 19, 2010
Offline
That is awesome! The first video was truly relaxing to watch, made my day. What sort of hinges or bearings are in the first one? I would mess with that thing all the time if it was in my back yard. Very cool work Michael, thanks for posting.
10:40 pm
May 15, 2010
Offline
Up and Away used front wheel drive units off a BMW? Her are a few shots of Fire Bird arrangement.
Michael Dillon
http://dillonforge.com/
6:40 am
NWBA Member
June 8, 2010
Offline
jack frost;7770 wrote:
The art is in the bullshit.
Shame it should be in the piece.
or there should be a separate category for bullshit.
?
I have to agree with Jack on this one. I may not have any friends left save for one:unsure:. Art is art, as the world around us perceives it. This made me recall my friend, Larry Davis, over in central Oregon. He was a farrier for 50 years. He related a story to me about a client that he had, that had Saddlebred horses, that he shod. The lady, one day was talking with him, and in subtle ways was trying to get him to say that shoeing Saddlebreds was some kind of specialty type of shoeing. Finally he responded and said," The horseshoeing is all pretty much the same, it's just the bullshit that's different". He got fired.
Art is art... Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder... Many of us who call ourselves blacksmiths are also purists in the way that we do our work the way we want to and take pride in doing things that way.. The art is in what we do. I have seen pictures of the railings that Larry has made, and They are Art! Production art?? But we do what we have to do to make a living and if we do some things for the fun and creativity of it, man, that's good stuff!! I am a farrier, I make my living mostly trimming horses feet. I have a client who, knowing that I play with blacksmithing, asked me if I would like to make 3000 feet of railings for his balconies. Heck, I can make a lot more money under horses in the next two months than working on building his railings!! I love to create. I love to forge steel into what I think is Art. If I can convince the customer that it is art, it Must Be!! This has been a really fun thread to follow... lot's of really good comment. From Grant forging hardies with a hydraulic press to David Hyde forging beautiful gates adorned with vines and leaves... It's all art... It's all art.:angel:
4:46 am
December 19, 2010
Offline
Well put. I just remembered what Brian Brazeal once told me, he was a farrier for quite while. He said " a horse will try to kick you, a mule WILL kick you"! Sorry a bit off topic.
I am in total agreement with you Lynn, its all art, i just seem to trip out on the guys that market themselves and make shit tons of cash. Jacks quote sums it up.
Danger, very innovative ideas there, up and away looks like it shouldn't work the way it does, it is a true piece of art in my opinion.
6:41 pm
March 31, 2011
Offline
I like that really pissed off looking insect scorpien thing
No its not a skirt, and yes im regimental.
7:37 pm
January 18, 2011
Offline
Lynn, If you can do 3,000 ft of rail in two months, I would at least consider it.......:)
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
— Dr. Seuss
Most Users Ever Online: 668
Currently Online:
10 Guest(s)
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
Larry L: 1566
Grant: 1420
Bruce Macmillan: 625
Lee Cordochorea: 595
Lynn Gledhill: 572
JNewman: 520
Gene C: 504
J Wilson: 426
Eric Sprado: 383
Tom Allyn: 340
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 22
Members: 8721
Moderators: 4
Admins: 1
Forum Stats:
Groups: 23
Forums: 97
Topics: 3537
Posts: 20288
Newest Members:
rodeoneerer, NWBABjorn, mddangelo, Nevillberger, Crusty Veteran, redwoodforgeoakland, Jimekalmiya, George_Kelley, Roger Hayden, mill sparksModerators: Steve McGrew: 77, N.W.B.A.: 72, webmaster: 0, bluehost: 0
Administrators: admin: 540
Usage Policy