Childless Cat Lady

Jerry Bennett · Thursday at 11:23 PM

Overtly political submissions is not in the best long term interest of the aaw.

Carol Hall · Friday at 12:08 AM

Jerry Bennett said:
Overtly political submissions is not in the best long term interest of the aaw.

I'm sorry you feel that way. I think art should be about passion and should challenge people. History has proven that to be true. But it you don't like it, swipe on. That's why there are 31 flavors!

Bill Boehme · Friday at 2:41 AM

Jerry Bennett said:
Overtly political submissions is not in the best long term interest of the aaw.

Jerry, if you see a problem then REPORT it and the administrators will decide if there is a rule infraction. I respect your interpretation of art, but you might be making your interpretation based on your personal political views. I haven't seen you complain about other works that one's political leanings might interpret one way or another. Sometimes art pushes the envelope and touches a nerve that is outside your comfort zone. I highly respect your critiques, but I will make the final judgment here.

Jerry Bennett · Friday at 9:35 AM

Bill Boehme said:
Jerry, if you see a problem then REPORT it and the administrators will decide if there is a rule infraction. I respect your interpretation of art, but you might be making your interpretation based on your personal political views. I haven't seen you complain about other works that one's political leanings might interpret one way or another. Sometimes art pushes the envelope and touches a nerve that is outside your comfort zone. I highly respect your critiques, but I will make the final judgment here.

It is not about me Bill. This is not about art. This work is overtly political. It does not push my buttons. My concern is the door opens wide for the next and the next. This environment is toxic. The AAW forum should be a political free zone. I do not REPORT people. I believe in self policing. If the artist or you do not get it and understand the implications, so be it.

Michael Lyle · Friday at 1:28 PM

I guess we saw this coming!

Michael Lyle · Friday at 1:43 PM

As much as I love the piece Carol Hall created.
It is controversial!
And I for one do not wish to see a negative escalation here,

Michael Lyle

Scott Davidson · Saturday at 5:09 PM

This has been such a thought-provoking discussion. Lots of really good points.

I turn wood for the sheer enjoyment of the creative process and also for self-expression in an artistic medium (sometimes trying to get what's inside me outside of me in a way that verbal language cannot do). It also gives me refuge from the maddening din of our current world. Looking at the amazing art posted by those who share the same passion for creating beauty while helping each other with the many technical challenges we face as woodturners has helped me learn and inspired me. It also gives me a sense that I'm part of a broader community of very fine people.

The piece of art presented in this forum may seem "overtly political." I humbly disagree. I think it is a person expressing through their art feelings of diminishment and pain (my interpretation). No matter what political party a person belongs to or how they vote, I hope we can honor the authentic feelings that come through each piece of art that we all do -- and honor them. To do otherwise is to disallow a person's voice/agency (which is what the piece in question seems to also deal with).

I could not agree more that I would hate to see any kind of "negative escalation" in our community of artists. That said, great art makes people say "wow." Exquisite art makes people ask questions and deepens their capacity for empathy and understanding. My 2 cents.

Carol Hall · Sunday at 11:03 AM

Scott Davidson said:
This has been such a thought-provoking discussion. Lots of really good points.

I turn wood for the sheer enjoyment of the creative process and also for self-expression in an artistic medium (sometimes trying to get what's inside me outside of me in a way that verbal language cannot do). It also gives me refuge from the maddening din of our current world. Looking at the amazing art posted by those who share the same passion for creating beauty while helping each other with the many technical challenges we face as woodturners has helped me learn and inspired me. It also gives me a sense that I'm part of a broader community of very fine people.

The piece of art presented in this forum may seem "overtly political." I humbly disagree. I think it is a person expressing through their art feelings of diminishment and pain (my interpretation). No matter what political party a person belongs to or how they vote, I hope we can honor the authentic feelings that come through each piece of art that we all do -- and honor them. To do otherwise is to disallow a person's voice/agency (which is what the piece in question seems to also deal with).

I could not agree more that I would hate to see any kind of "negative escalation" in our community of artists. That said, great art makes people say "wow." Exquisite art makes people ask questions and deepens their capacity for empathy and understanding. My 2 cents.

Gosh, I am so smitten with your comments. Thank you. I am not interested in creating art without a narrative, even if it is only a color or mark-making story. I am so happy when people have any sort of reaction to my work, positive or negative. That's so much better than no reaction at all, or worse - a yawn. I think art should start a conversation. That is the goal, right? Thank you so much for being part of that chat!

Jerry Bennett · Sunday at 3:19 PM

You missed my point entirely. If the piece was left to stand on its own, it would be fine. But the additional commentary elevated it beyond the art. Because the country is polarized, such a presentation with commentary pushes buttons. The question is whether or not this forum is going to adhere to its own policy regarding politics and other divisive subjects. This is a woodturning forum. The artist knew it would be controversial and pushes the rules but did it anyway. I have been an artist all of my life. I have never submitted a work that was not subject to guidelines. Those guidelines are for a reason. They either exist for a purpose or not.
It was stated I did not complain with other political works were posted. I have not seen any. Even though I have been involved in the woodturning community for 24 years or so, I have not participated in the forum until this last year. My objection was never based on mine or your politics. It was based on the effects this type of post has.
I do agree there are 31 flavors and as suggested, I will move on.
Jer

Jim Grieco · Sunday at 3:22 PM

Jerry Bennett said:
You missed my point entirely. If the piece was left to stand on its own, it would be fine. But the additional commentary elevated it beyond the art. Because the country is polarized, such a presentation with commentary pushes buttons. The question is whether or not this forum is going to adhere to its own policy regarding politics and other divisive subjects. This is a woodturning forum. The artist knew it would be controversial and pushes the rules but did it anyway. I have been an artist all of my life. I have never submitted a work that was not subject to guidelines. Those guidelines are for a reason. They either exist for a purpose or not.
It was stated I did not complain with other political works were posted. I have not seen any. Even though I have been involved in the woodturning community for 24 years or so, I have not participated in the forum until this last year. My objection was never based on mine or your politics. It was based on the effects this type of post has.
I do agree there are 31 flavors and as suggested, I will move on.
Jer

Well stated!

Childless Cat Lady

Jerry Bennett

Carol Hall

Bill Boehme

Jerry Bennett

Michael Lyle

Michael Lyle

Scott Davidson

Carol Hall

Jerry Bennett

Jim Grieco

Media information

Image metadata

Share this media