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My take on the 10 tips (specific to art writing and criticism)… 1. Cut the boring parts. = Talk about something exciting. If there’s a piece or a show that falls short, provide constructive criticism without being brutal. I mean, for goodness sake, artists do need to hear it when they haven’t pushed boundaries enough. Yet, writers need to be brave enough to say, “You didn’t make me feel what you were trying to execute”. 2. Eliminate unnecessary words. =…
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For fun, I googled “art writing” and the third result piqued my interest – 10 Writing Tips from the Masters (insert link to website here). However, to spare you some time, they are listed below: Cut the boring parts. Eliminate unnecessary words. Write with passion. Paint a picture. Keep it simple. Do it for love. Learn to thrive on criticism. Write all the time Write what you know…or, what you want to know. Be unique and unpredictable. I have my…
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Unfortunately, my mind is completely blank, my body limp, and my heart numb due to some unforeseen circumstances. Somehow, looking at art always makes me feel better. Even if it forces me to be contemplative. Thanks for making me think Kara Hearn. If you ever read this, Kara, just know, today, although sad, surreal, and a mixed emotion kinda day,well, it all made a lot more sense to me after looking at your art. I mean that in a…
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Everyone uses Google, well, almost everyone… I know I use Google (as a search engine, my e-mail, etc.) so it was amazing to see their latest addition to the Google applications – Art Project! Granted, I’d much rather see the musuems of the world in person but if I can’t spend the money to go to Madrid, Paris, or London, I can pay AP a visit and see what is on exhibit! I’ll have to explore and ruminate about this…
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Dennis Oppenheim’s, Device to Root Out Evil, 1997 I just read something sad. An artist died. It was Dennis Oppenheim. Mr. Oppenheim went to the California College of the Arts (Oakland, CA) and received his MFA at Stanford. Then, like many artists, he moved to New York to pursue his art career and practice. His art work is grandiose and forces you to move in the environment differently than you normally would. I heard of him but never had the…
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A work of art is the unique results of a unique temperament. – Oscar Wilde, Writer
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At the beginning of the month, I posted a few photos I took at the Oakland Art Murmur. Jennie Ottinger’s show, Due By: Book show by Jennie Ottinger, at the Johansson Projects (JP) Art Gallery was my introduction to her work. Since JP is one of my favorite galleries in the Easy Bay, I usually prolong my visit and make multiple trips back to the space during the Art Murmur. Due By was one of those shows I couldn’t get enough…
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On the heels of reading Christine Wong Yap’s Art Practical feature, I figured it was time to create a new page on my blog – Shotgun Reviews Archive! Shotgun Reviews via Art Practical has been an incredible way for me to interact with the Bay Area Arts Community and take part in the conversation. My hope is to bring more people into the Art Scene and World and engage all types of individuals in the dialogue because art is everywhere…
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“Most of us deep down believe that a person who is creative will prevail regardless of the environment,” Csikszentmihalyi wrote. “But the reality appears to be different…. No matter how gifted a person is, he or she has no chance to achieve anything creative unless the right conditions are provided by the field.” Csikszentmihalyi identifies “seven major elements in the social milieu that help make creative contributions possible: training, expectations, resources, recognition, hope, opportunity, and reward. Some of these are direct…
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La Pocha Nostra has been traveling the world, using performance as their primary method of conveying the current political, societal, and cultural nuances of the Unites States and its relationship with the rest of the world. In Corpo/Ilicito, statuesque performers, some on platforms and some on the same level as the audience, interact with viewers. Their unapologetic narratives address the displacement and marginalization that occur in this globalized world, with special attention paid to the illicit and corruptible body. From…
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writer | artist | scholar
Dorothy R. Santos, Ph.D. 