I've been pondering this question lately for obvious reasons, with my new website up and running with all its wonderful works of art!
What is it that makes people stop and take more than a scan glance at any individual piece?
I have a personal theory (related to my own work especially), that it actually needs someone to tell them! Yo might think this is strange, but hang on a mo and I'll explain.
What made you first give real attention to the car you are driving, or the computer you are using? Wasn't it because initially someone told you about it? Said in effect: "Hey, take a look at this one, it's great! It does this, it does that, and thank the Lord it don't do that!" etc.
Art and music, I believe, in many ways are no different. Yes we knew what we liked when we were kids of course, and this process continues to some extent. But something gets lost along the way, and the real thrust of what we listen to or look at becomes more and more: What we are recommended to. When someone we know, or some expert we respect says to you: "Look, I'm telling you, this chic is good, you'll love her!"
You might have already heard her on the radio once or twice, but now with such words of reassurance from a trusted friend or authority, (after all, "I might have liked her, but hey, what do I know about music?"), you now feel Safe liking her, and might even go out and buy her album!
Isn't this how we are, the more adult we become? Whadyafink?
So where does this leave me I wonder? My work has been known in my local area of Cornwall for the past 25 years, but if you are in US of A, or Australia, or even London, who am I to you? A nobody. So you wont give me a second look, (unless by chance that deep intuitive part of you is working full blast, and you are the sort of person who doesn't give a monkeys about what's hot and what's not!)
But what if someone were to say to you: "Hey, you know this Steve Slimm dude, did you hear he's been nominated for the Turner Prize this year? Yea man, check him out - He's hot!"
You see what I mean? Sad but true!
By the way, the above statement is not true, but what is true is that I've been invited to put work in the Florence Biennale, Italy this year. I suppose some folk will be influenced by that and have a closer look then?
Who knows?!
Anyway it would always nice to hear from you if you want to make a comment. I rant on sometimes I think, don't I?
