…A great day at a great museum with a great friend…
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The American Visionary Arts Museum has been open for 12 years – but for one reason or another, neither of us had ever made the time to go. One of those things that are “on the list” to visit, you know? Using Jenna’s upcoming move-across-the-country as an excuse to see some of the local attractions, we decided to make the (short) trek to Baltimore’s Federal Hill neighborhood. SO worth it. The museum was quite revolutionary – choosing instead to showcase the lesser-known artistic and creative pursuits; sure, there were paintings, and sculpture, but there was also a dulcimer in the form of a white alligator, a two-story whirligig in the museum’s courtyard that cast shadows into the galleries… and so much more. There was also a crocheted dress stylized like a horse’s head – the woman who created it was using it as a way to break her institution’s dress code. Some of my favorite pieces were the found objects fashioned into sculptures – buttons, silverware, bottle caps, etc.
This museum trip brought about some of the same thoughts I had after seeing an exhibition last year. I posed the question then, and I still don’t have a definitive answer(and probably never will!) What is it that we do when we make something? Are we creating art?
My question is also precipitated by a question that Tara asked and a subsequent comment left on my recent interview of the Create A Connection blog. Do I consider myself an artist?
Still trying to figure that one out… my initial answer was “no”, but stating that I feel that I have artistic inclinations. Any enlightened ideas/thoughts you would like to share?
Do you consider yourself an artist?
PS–Jenna is moving from DC at the end of March. Seattle, you have no idea how lucky you are to get her…
Very cool photos, Lolly! Spending time with friends before they leave is precious; savor every moment!
The whole “what is art” question is an odd one. I think of myself as artistic, but I wouldn’t say that the things I knit or otherwise create are always art. And the thing that I might regard as art aren’t always the same things that others seem to think are
While Washington looks very far on the map, it’s really only a short trip by air. It’s relatively inexpensive to do the round trip thing (less than knitting a sweater in Koigu!). I feel so bad for you, it’s tough to make the cross country move (I moved from VA to WA) and leave friends…it’s harder to be the one moving and leaving loved ones behind. Rest assured, Seattle is really a great place, they have electricity and running water and really great yarn shops. All the more places for you to visit. We could use a little Lolly on the west coast, you know.
I love that museum, and what a lovely day to be out and about!
Lady, you’re going to make me cry. I’ve been on the verge of it for the last few days, especially when thinking about close friends like you that I’ll be so far away from. At least we’ll have so many wonderful memories and the internets.
This museum is a wonderful monument to the human urge to create. I highly urge everyone to visit it!
love your photos. It looks like you had a great time. Best of luck to your friend Jenna.
oh, that seems like a perfect day! so sorry that she’s moving.
you have to come to new york again soon. it’s been far too long. there are new yarn shops to visit.
am i an artist? maybe. i mainly follow patterns, which makes me feel like a non-artist, but we all put our own imprint on what we make, right?
I love that museum – it is so freaky and cool! Love your pictures.
Isn’t it something how me can have a local attraction and never find the time to visit? Thanks for sharing a museum that is not local for me. Looks like you guys had a great time. The art/artist/creating question is something to ponder.
it looks like you had a great time. such fun pictures.
i have an artistic bent and i do consider myself to be creative but i would never think of myself as an artist or that the pieces i create are “art.”
Great pics! One of my bestest buds moved to Seattle a few years ago, and it really stunk – but it is a great place to visit!
Art…hmm…my chiropractor and I used to have great discussions about the differences between “crafts” and “art”. Not much resolution, but great discussions! Really, I think it’s like beauty – determined by the eye of the beholder. Those pictures of you and your friend are “art” to me.
Art is in the eye of the beholder. If you make something that you love the look of, why isn’t it art? After all, knitting has texture, shape and form in much the same way as a sculpture.
It looks like you and Jenna had a great time making fun memories to treasure.
The AVAM is my favorite museum in the world! These pics make me want to go back soon, and so happy that it’s in my city!
When I taught “intro to fine arts,” my big distinction was always that *most* art is not functional, whereas most *crafts* are functional. They are objects that have purposes outside of their aesthetic value.
But now that I’ve started crafting myself, it’s a distinction that seems less and less important. I love creativity in all its forms, whether it results in a modern sculpture or a pair of mittens!
I love AVAM! I haven’t been in a while, but I used to go quite regularly.
Seattle is such a great city, certainly a fun place to visit. I had a dear friend (two, actually) move out there about 13 years ago, and it gives me a good excuse to head out West every other year or so.
I consider myself an artist, yes (and have the degree to prove it), but I don’t consider my knitting to be art any more than I considering painting by numbers to be art. I follow a pattern that someone else wrote, that many other someone elses are also following. I believe that art is an expression of an individual, or a group of individuals who work as one (for instance, the glass blowers in Dale Chihuly’s studio). Knitting, to me, is a craft, because it is practical, and meant to be used.
This is not to say that there are not knitters out there who *are* artists. The people who pick up needles and yarn and create a unique garment, from their heads, are artists. But when I buy that pattern and create the same garment, I am *not* an artist.
I’m firmly in the camp that says it’s art. If you create, you are making art. It’s not all fine art – meant for display on walls or museums, but it’s art. Even if you’re “just following a pattern” there is something of yourself that gets imparted, something that makes it more than “just a hat or scarf (or whatever). I have no objections to categorizing some forms of art as craft, but I’ve seen historic textiles in museums, most notably a huge, hand embroidered bedcover at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. I sat and stared at it for probably half an hour. It was breathtaking and awe inspiring. It was art. I refuse to believe that simply because knitting (or quilting, or woodworking, or……..) produce useful items, that it isn’t art.
I say it is art. I guess I am an artist, if only for my own amusement.
Love these pictures….ahhh girlfriends are to be treasured. I keep checking on your weight loss progress and am inspired by it. My best friend, of 46 years, and I started Weight Watcher’s on line in February. We are committed.
What a fun museum! I’ve never been but it is TOTALLY going on the to-see list. Great pics too!
I haven’t been there either – we keep trying to go, but somehow just never get there….
hmmm – I always associate artist with “real” art….I guess if you create in some way, you are an artist!
Looks like you guys had fun!! That’s great. I love stimulating/artistic experiences.
I had this “Are we artists” conversation with another blogging friend not too long ago. My answer is yes. Art is open to such interpretation. Even the definition leaves a bit of mystery (the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance). What is beautiful to you is not beautiful to everyone else. Every time you knit something you do it differently from other knitters, you choose the yarn and pattern according to your own visions. On top of that, it’s ALWAYS of ‘more than ordinary significance’ to the knitter! A single stitch may not be art, but a complete garment most definitely is.
Okay,
I know this is going to be an opinionated subject, but here’s my take…
If you pick up a pattern, find the yarn (and possibly even the color) called for, and knit it up to specs… That’s a craft (kinda like paint by colors)
When you go out to create a unique piece completely out of your head or with gentle guidence/inspiration (even painters have reference books) then it’s art. This is furthered along when you start hand dying and spinning your own yarns.
We spent several weeks in my 3-dimensional art class on form & function in art, and yes, I firmly believe it can be functional & still be art.
So, there’s my two cents. You know what though, if you enjoy doing it that’s all that really matters in the end.
That is a tough call – I consider myself a fiber artist – why – because I create beautiful things from fabric or yarn…do I consider myself an artist like VanGogh – no! I think there are different types of artists … and we all are artists in our own way.
I’d have to lean towards saying that I feel like I have artistic leanings/inclinations/drive but that I’m not an artist. I don’t think that what I do when I paint, or knit, or whatever is art. I think it’s more of a comment on art. Mostly cos I think I’m rubbish.
Then again, I think that maybe some people would say that some things I’ve made are works of art (if not pure “art”) and that confuses me.
To me I’d only feel right calling myself an artist if I made a living that way (i.e. if I had a business selling fibre art/crafts I could be a fibre artist!) but I don’t think that is always the case.
For some reason I think of spinning more as art than knitting, because I think the artist in knitting is really the person who wrote/designed the pattern. But then every time I see what Nona over at NonaKnits does with short-row log cabin squares, or what someone like you or Ashely over at dogged do with pattern modifications on patterns written by someone else then I think that’s art…because you take it and make it your own.
It’s hard. Strange. Sorry. I’m a thick-head and I don’t know what I’m talkniga bout.
Hanging with grrlfriends is the best. You two know how to make a party! We are all artists. If you build an interesting and fulfilling life then you have created art.
I could not call myself an artist. I mean, I just follow patterns, copying the greatness of others. Maybe if I start designing my own knits, or dyeing my own yarn, I could feel more comfortable with that title.
Welcome to Seattle! Also, I saw that egg and tried to make a wish to make it a Cadbury one, but alas, I don’t think it worked.
aww, it looks like you two had a good day. and don’t worry…we’ll look after her here in seattle!
well, i definitely consider you an artist! and if there is any doubt in your mind look at all the knitted creations you have made and the fabulous pictures you so generously share with us! i also love that easter egg looking sculpture!
sorry to hear such a good friend is moving, but i think it will be a great excuse to visit seattle!
Tolstoy said art is anything that is created by a person to communicate an idea or emotion, so I say your blog as well as your knitted creations are both art! My sister lives in Baltimore & I’m visiting in early May, I will definitely check out the Museum, thanks.
i just love that egg! i will have to seek it out the next time i’m up in that area. jenna is going to be missed … i know we can read about her and her seattle adventures, … but, it’s just not the same
ps. i do consider myself an artist. i think the definition encompasses more than what is physically created.
That is a supercool egg!
As to your question, I think that art is incredibly subjective. What one considers to be a ‘work of art’ could be just a piece of junk to someone else. I don’t think there really is a universal definition of art…
okay, please stop having so much fun and then rubbing it in our deprived faces! your visit to the American Visionary Arts Museum looks like so much fun. wow. thanks for those great photos! i love that mirrored blob.
i have to consider myself an artist. if i didn’t, then i’d be so depressed. i’m sort of the subterfuge artist. i have a degree in art, but don’t use it in my m-f workday. but, isn’t living an art in itself? we’re all artists in that.
I went there last year during a job trip in Baltimore. I was really impressed by a gigantic poodle kinetic sculpture. That’s a shame you can’t take pictures inside the museum. I used ninja techniques to shoot it :
http://lo.superchomeur.net/?p=22
From my european point of view, I think it’s one of the most interesting museum in America.