The Questions of March continue…

From mondragon

1) Photography: art? something different? From the viewpoint of “a piece of art”, how does the inherent lossless reproducibility of photographs change their value/impact/worth? Does the lack of the reproduction step that drawing/painting has – translating a scene into a visual code, lines, blobs, dots, etc that the brain then turns into a mental image – take something fundamental away from photography?

Short answer? Yes photography is an art. Art is the term used to describe objects that encapsulate thought. The making of a photograph has as much of a chance to be meaningful as any other act. Reproducibility doesn’t change photograph’s imapct or worth since it is a part of the photograph’s ontology. Photographs don’t lack the reproduction step as you term it. The camera is as tricky a tool as any other. Just think how rarely the picture you take looks like what you are looking at in the scene. Any practiced photographer knows that and is mentally doing the translating that you allude to as they use the camera. They are traslating the scene into the picture before they push the shutter.

2) No more cute children. When you look at people’s work, what is it that draws you to what you consider “good”?

This confuses me a little, but I’m guessing you mean what do I consider good in other people’s work. The work I’m attracted to is usually complex and unexpected – about interconnectedness, and sensually engaged.

I hope those answers were ok. And thanks for asking.

As stated earlier this is question month around here – ask and I’ll try to respond.

0 Comments +

  1. Good answer on #1. I was talking about you today with Cesar Trasobares. You know him, yes? We had a little afternoon chat about art in general and his art in particular and, what ever it is I’m doing these days. We both spoke highly of you so, don’t worry… yet. *wink*

  2. Good answer on #1. I was talking about you today with Cesar Trasobares. You know him, yes? We had a little afternoon chat about art in general and his art in particular and, what ever it is I’m doing these days. We both spoke highly of you so, don’t worry… yet. *wink*

  3. But what about photography as a mass form – does its reproductability affect its “value” Why can’t I remember what Benjamin has to say on the subject?

  4. But what about photography as a mass form – does its reproductability affect its “value” Why can’t I remember what Benjamin has to say on the subject?

  5. This is my question in non-question format:

    I would like a complex portrait of how you were as a boy, the fully human and complicated little penis-bearer you were when you first started consciously being.

  6. This is my question in non-question format:

    I would like a complex portrait of how you were as a boy, the fully human and complicated little penis-bearer you were when you first started consciously being.

  7. Great question and answer. I always have a problem when people ask me “what is good” in art. I like that you do what I do and that is to say what you like. It’s not like there is a fixed “good” in art and nor should there be- though many want it. To me good art transforms, reflects, and blows my fucking mind. If it has humor I probably like it more.

    robert

  8. Great question and answer. I always have a problem when people ask me “what is good” in art. I like that you do what I do and that is to say what you like. It’s not like there is a fixed “good” in art and nor should there be- though many want it. To me good art transforms, reflects, and blows my fucking mind. If it has humor I probably like it more.

    robert

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