Art can be a difficult subject to discuss. I believe that its very subjective nature defies particular definition. Many times what one person considers beautiful, another might scoff at…what one enjoys to hear, another might find cacophonous. The point of Art to me lies in a reality deeper than mere aesthetics, a reality that we share simply in our existence within a community, whether that be global or local, and the perception or interaction with that commonality in some vital way. Art may be a refinement of ideas through industry, or the distillation of various principles into something unique and recognizable; it comes to being by either practice or inspiration.
In today’s world, we are increasingly reminded of our connection to our environment both in a literal fashion but also in a much more intangible, esoteric sense. How our environment is shaped directly effects how we come to know ourselves and it is this perception that challenges who we are and what we want to become. The belief that it is important we recognize that this is a choice, reflects how we live and what intentions we bring to our various communities.
Intention to live within an environments ability to sustain a certain lifestyle over generations creates tradition. In a very simplistic way, it is this fundamental aspect of community that makes up the nuts and bolts of the many parts of our lives. Tradition allows for the development of communication, both broad & base, it lends itself to innovation and specialization from the recognizable styles of the homes that we inhabit, to the food that we put on our tables, the sounds of the music that we love, and the art in it all that we share.
I don’t get up in the morning and say I am going to make art; I get up in the morning and go to work. In my life it has required discipline and practice to achieve inspiration… I may have a preconceived notion of the form that I want to investigate based on a desire to experiment or the challenge of a new shape, but in the end I am subject to the natural laws and inherent rules of the materials that I use.
Art and design are a language like any other. I am not seeking to make a statement, rather participate in the conversation. – Joshua Vogel