January 6, 2008
One man’s reaction to Petersburg, in pastel
John M brought to my attention the following work by Scott on the blog entitled Pictures, Analysis, Art. These images capture his reaction to his visits to Petersburg. Here are the links: first set, second set, set three, and set four.
Note that many of the images appear to be closeups taken from a really large panaromic-type of work, and you can click on them to make them larger.
Scott couples his art with prose elegy:
“This is “historic Petersburg,” a small area where the old and historic buildings have been restored. Everywhere else, they are instead old and decaying. This restored area is lauded as the rebirth of this small city. It’s an incredible fable; and any brief visit to Petersburg would show it. Even ignoring images, and just looking at social and economic statistics - how can an area improve if nothing improves the conditions of the working class?”
Typical artist sentiment.
“working class”
Just what does THAT mean…. sounds like when politicians say “workers.”
It’s almost demeaning to folks who go out and work for a living… oh wait… EVERYONE works for a living for the most part.
“The Rich” are also “working class” because they didn’t get rich by NOT working (with some exceptions like trust fund babies).
I’d agree more with you Shawn if you’d said “leftest” artist.
I’m intrigued by the panorama interpretation and am curious about when/where the finished product can be viewed. I’ll rally back if I hear something in that regard.
Commonsensedude,
I was an art major, and intend to return to art someday.
I know of what I speak when I say “artist sentiment.”
I will say many successful artists (ones that do not rely on govt largesse) do not have similar sentiments.
Thomas Hart Benton, who seems to be this artist’s inspiration, would never say that classes in america are static, or would call petersburg’s poor “working class.”, unless they had jobs. The ones who do have jobs will either lift themselves up, or no one will. Same is true for the middle classes.
I wonder if it’s not just the “artist community” in some places.
For instance At Richmond’s Friday art walk there seems to always be a high percentage of “socially conscious” art.
It gets tiresome sometimes…. much like going to a movie or watching a television show to be entertained and ending up being preached to.
I’m all for free speech but some of these artists I suspect think the “oppressed masses” are that way because they do not have the financial means to buy art. I suspect the tune would change greatly were they selling what they produce.
All that said, there is a talent in his work, I just have a low tolerance for this stuff.
As long as people, artists and such keep bad mouthing and slopping on canvas Petersburg’s poor social conditions and advirtize it to the world the city will always be a fable in progress as Michael puts it.
No, I only quoted the artist’s statement. I made no comment myself.
But, I do believe that disproportionate emphasis on the old town core of Petersburg without equal attention to the blight surrounding that core is a big social & economic mistake.
Don’t get me wrong…. I think bringing the plights of people to light is a good thing.
Don’t blame it on “The Man” though.
That a person can fall on hard times is sure, but itís also sure that a person is the first most responsible for their station in life.
Big government/corporations would be the last culprits.