acts of art 16 ~ Liz Magor

Studio Envy. I confess to it, and yet I have a perfectly viable creative space in my one bedroom condo. I can make most of what I like to make here in my living / working room, except the big things. And yet…

Over the years I’ve visited a lot of artist studios and haven’t needed a therapist to know why Studio Envy persists in my deepest caves, ready to rise like an H.P. Lovecraft entity whenever I enter another light filled, white walled, multi shelved, cathedral spaced studio.

It’s precisely because it’s not a ‘living room’, multi tasked studio. It’s simply there to serve as a working space. A rare and beautiful thing this huge volume of air and light, filled with art and the meditative focus of the artist. It can be felt as almost holy…

But let’s not forget it’s also real estate. Here in Vancouver, BC. J.Q. Public is considered blessed by the gods if he/she can find any decent living space at an affordable rent. And then, in addition, to be able to rent a studio!!! Almost inconceivable, unless you are very successful in your chosen field, or very rich.

Most art studio situations I know of in this city are shared by groups of artists, some of whom have recognized plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose, and have gone with it and called themselves ‘Collectives’ and have even published manifestos.

Liz Magor is a successful Canadian artist and I admire her in every way. She was a mentor at U. Vic. when I was working through a B.F.A. degree. It is impossible to think of masters like her operating without a studio. But what about the rest of us? Ms. Magor believes “Everyone Should Have a Studio”. I agree metaphorically, but realistically, a snowball’s chance in hell…

What do you think about art studios? Do they contribute to the separation of the visual artist from the public? Are they an ivory tower, elitist concept when so many millions are homeless or are they a needed and necessary space for making art?

Do you have a studio? Celebrate it with us on Art Rat Cafe – send pics and tell us how you came by it and what it means to you. Or, if you dream of having a studio of your own, tell us why.

Above two photos from my own workspace.

http://www.johnclinockart.com                 Portfolio Site

http://www.instagram.com/johnclinock/          Instagram

 

 

 

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Mexico – campanas y nubes

it has never failed

and it was planned to be so

by the white fathers

I speak of the bells

that oscillate in the heart

and call us call us

call us

the cloud / sky romance

magicked us eons before

and we reach out still

 

into the beautiful blue loneliness of space

~~~~~~

 

poem and photographs by Clinock

‘The 100’ #72 – The Waiting Room Drawings.2.

The Waiting Room Drawings #2 – mixed media – by clinock.   April 11. 2013.

Considerable Latitude by clinock.
When lines intersect
light is born
casting arcs across space,
glowing filaments
waiting for passage.

When lines touch
Magic is afoot,
Time is a broken dream
and the night
waits for release.

When lines tangle
shapes are drawn,
figures and faces search
far distances
waiting to dance.

When lines dissolve
Space is illusion,
Time is healed in colour
and immaculate Magic
waits to be tamed.

In The Waiting Room
all lines lead inward.

‘The 100′ series was initiated by my 100th Post in April 2012. As text and images are the essence of my blog I will post 100 pieces of textual art from historical and contemporary artists and from my own hand. To view the series to date click on ‘The 100’ in my Category Menu.