Interpretation of Art

Our Earth    Jim Plesh   24” x 32”  acrylic on canvas      available: limited edition giclee’ prints   varied sizes

Quite often I’m asked for an interpretation of one of my paintings - my thoughts in creating it. What’s the story behind the painting? How long did it take to complete the piece? Indeed, behind most of my paintings there is a story to tell, a reason for being.  Each work is, in fact, its own being. 

But just as the viewer seeks my interpretation, I am just as interested in their interpretation of the piece. Once the artist creates a work of art, it has a life of its own. The painting is fair game for the viewing public, standing alone for interpretation and acceptance or rejection. Consequently, the viewer has a say relative to interpretation and reaction.  In that sense, the viewer’s interpretation of a piece of art may be just as meaningful as the artist’s own reasoning, allowing for it to take on a life even beyond what the artist intended or imagined.

Many of my works of art are created in such a way to allow, and in fact, encourage the viewer to read into it what he or she envisions. The viewer becomes, if you will, part of its creation by completing it in their mind’s eye.  The painting speaks through the way people see it, and what each of us sees, or feels, is personal. In this way, the art becomes much more through the point of view of another.  To me, this is what makes art, especially expressionistic works, so exciting and meaningful.

When asked how long a painting may have taken me to create, my usual response is that it took my whole life. This response is not meant to be evasive or flippant. The work, regardless of the hours, days, weeks or months of rendering, encompass many years of experience, learning, emotions and continued education and development.  Regardless of time taken to physically render a work of art, it is its own being.  

"A painting requires a little mystery, some vagueness, some fantasy. When you always make your meaning perfectly plain you end up boring people."     

Degas

Art In The Eye of The Beholder

Without Rhyme or Reason           J. Plesh
acrylic on canvas   36" x #6"

Imagination is the fuel for creating art. An artist uses this to give birth to an idea and express it through a painting, photograph, sculpture or any art form for that matter. The artist creates a piece with the intention to evoke an emotion in the beholder. Interpretation of the piece is not as straightforward as a sign post. Where one person may feel a connection with the artwork another may experience a total disconnect with it.

An appreciation for art begins with the understanding that art is a means to delve deeper into an object, a moment in time or an emotion and transform it into a unique creation.

As with beauty, art is in the eye of the beholder. Not all works will be perceived as the artist may have intended. That is acceptable. It is the intention of many artists to stir a feeling in the beholder allowing the viewer an opportunity to relate to the work in some form or another. An emotional stirring can be positive or negative. Only the beholder can determine how a piece of art affects them.  This is especially true with painters creating contemporary works in a less traditional, representational vein, delving into the more abstract genre.

Jim Plesh’s Without Rhyme or Reason painting is an example of abstract expressionism which presents a dramatic visual impact and allows, actually encourages, the viewer to interpret it’s meaning while enjoying the rendering of color and composition. The beauty of the painting and appreciation of it’s being lies ultimately in the eyes, and mind, of the beholder.

Jodi Hughey   for CreativeInsight

Abstracts: The Love - Hate Art

Helen  Frankenthaler     Mountains and Sea (1952),   
 National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC

In her article on “Why Do Some People Hate Abstract Art So?” Marion Boddy-Evans, About.com Guide  writes Abstract artist Philip Edson says he thinks he "must have heard every possible reason why abstract art is not regarded as 'proper art' by some people." These include the argument that it's "easier than realistic painting and only failed realistic painters paint in an abstract style." Philip believes "People who usually put forward these views (rather strongly quite often) clearly feel threatened by something that they don't understand" and that "although abstract art has been around for some time now, the education system seriously lags behind artistic developments in society. This leaves it to us as contemporary artists to try and spread the word." 

On the same, now-deleted blog, Artist Rebecca Crowell said: "Many people think of abstraction as easily created, meaningless and randomly produced, or (a bit more generously) as nothing more than decorative design. In fact, good abstract artists work with themes, ideas and specific intentions for their work. In some cases, these are arrived at intuitively or experimentally, in others, there is considerable planning involved." This is part of a curator's statement Rebecca wrote for an abstract art exhibition, which is an eloquently worded "explanation" of abstract art that's worth showing anyone who doesn't "get" abstracts.

My take on the subject is that, indeed, most people have difficulty in interpreting abstract art and determining good from bad. As with any work of art, and especially with abstract art, the viewer rightfully determines their acceptance and enjoyment of the piece (or lack of). Through his or her art, the artist has spoken and the message is left to interpretation. There are as many inferior works of art in the representational genre as would be in the abstract realm, but because the viewer recognizes the subject, whether it be a bowl of fruit or a watercolor scenic, he/she is more likely to consider it good art even if it is not necessarily so. Conversely many, not understanding abstracts, simply consider abstract art as lacking merit. 

The bottom line is that there are levels of excellence as well as levels of mediocrity in all genres of art. And it’s okay to live and let live, create and let create...okay to accept and enjoy the art that best speaks to you. The key is to look at art - not overlook it.  Look at enough art - really look - and you will grow to know good art from bad art, in both the realistic and abstract genres.