From my creative brain and imagination I am having difficulty understanding feedback and commentary that I sometimes hear pertaining to dark artwork/sculptures. This feedback is from individuals that are not artists nor in the creative artwork arena.
On several occasions and from many different people, I have heard similar responses. The feedback/commentary I hear towards dark artwork seems to indicate the commenter feels something is wrong with the artist. The commenter seems to present themselves with questions and wonderment in their own mind as to whether the artist/creator is having a dark moment, dark phase, or something is wrong. Otherwise, how can the artist be capable of producing a creepy dark piece of artwork. After all you must have something wrong with you, right? LOL
The first time I heard this type of commentary I dismissed it. Then it happened few more times. Needless to say I am quite intrigued by this thinking (and amused). I also wonder whether screen and film writers have ever received the same type of feedback on their horror movie productions and stories that have always been a part of our entertainment world. I have never left a movie theater after watching a scary or dark movie and thought to myself the screen writer was having a dark moment or something was wrong with him/her.
This is creativity, imagination, and the world of fantasy, which most of us have viewed in our lives in many other forms like movies, tv shows, books, etc.
So tell me .... other dark artists out there ... do you hear this type of feedback and commentary on dark artwork?
Please comment and leave your opinions and experiences and perhaps enlighten me.
Is it simply the left vs. right brain thinking?
I myself get very excited when I create dark artwork.
Oooops, did I say that too loud? Is something wrong with me?
*** EVIL LAUGH ****
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Ooh you creepy lil thang you! Part of it is left vs right brain. But truthfully, I think the bulk of it nothing more than negative thinking.
ReplyDeleteIt is sooo much easier for someone to think negatively of another than it is positive. We are constantly told to question everything and peoples motives. It is a very sad part of our culture. I do not know if it is a regional thing or just more so on the East Coast.
So, versus she is creative and really pushing herself as an artist, it is more of "oh God, what is wrong with her"? People really need to make a conscience effort to stop negative thinking. I worked on it for the last almost 4 years as I was sooo brought up with negativity of others. Now, I always assume the best and I can tell you without a doubt it has made my life and that of my families much better.
I'm not the dark artist you are calling for, but I do have pieces and am fascinated with it. Whether movies, books, art dark creations are a safe way to experience that fascination or excitement with taboo.
ReplyDeleteI truly believe folks who criticize, or assume the artist is depressed are very black and white thinkers. Or they are afraid to recognize that there is a certain beauty in the ugly side.....just my 2 cents. (and I heard you say that out loud!)
Ooo I so reconize this!
ReplyDeletePeople always ask me where I get those ideas from and say they love to see inside my mind(they ask it in the wrong way).
I don't ask them how they came up with the idea of making a mermaid or a fairy so why should they ask me?!
They also always say in comments: not my cup a tea or nice but way to creepy.
I sometimes get very tired of that, just say something about the way my piece is made or say nothing!
Also much heard when they see something bloody: hey that's something for Essie.
And all that while my dolls aren't that dark at all, I never made something bloody.
Why aren't they saying the same things to/about the creators of troll's, witches and wizzards?
Isn't their work dark then?
I noticed I get most upset when other artists make this kind a comments, they should know better.
I think this is something all dark artist must go through, I just hope to get used to it.