Monday, September 21, 2009

In response to Grushenka

So I got a comment on my first post What is University Nudes

Grushenka said...

I suppose you imagine yourself some kind of artist simply because your subjects are unclothed. But, what about your concept demonstrates any understanding of art history, the purposes of art, indeed, any intelligence whatsoever? As far as I can tell, nothing.

You are one of a large group, those who consider themselves "artists" but are completely contrived in their ideas of what art is. You're not contributing anything. I suppose you think you are. I challenge you, what is your purpose? Write a post about it, I dare you.
Monday, September 21, 2009 12:39:00 PM CDT

Grushenka said...

And of course you won't approve my comment, because to do so would challenge your ego. Pathetic. But go ahead, prove me wrong.
Monday, September 21, 2009 12:40:00 PM CDT


Grushenka, wow.  Where do I begin?

First you're commenting almost anonymously.  I have no idea if Grushenka is your first, last, or any part of your name at all.  Your blogger profile is non existent so I don't know if you have a blog, website, or any experience about that which you commented.  Because of this I'm less likely to put any stock in what you have to say.



But let's go through your comments anyway, it'll be fun.





I suppose you imagine yourself some kind of artist simply because your subjects are unclothed.

I never mentioned art or being an artist in any of my posts.  I don't call myself an artist.  I'm a photographer.   Some of my photographs may be artistic.  Some people might call them art (obviously not you).  Nudes are not the only type of photography I do, but it is the only type that will be showing up on this particular blog.

But, what about your concept demonstrates any understanding of art history, the purposes of art, indeed, any intelligence whatsoever? As far as I can tell, nothing.
Now on this point you're pretty close.  I have no formal training in art history or the purposes of art. For that matter I have no formal training in photography.  The last visual arts instruction I had was probably in elementary school.  So what?  I create photography that I like to look at.  I enjoy the process and the final result.  And that last part, where you insult my intelligence, that's just mean.

You are one of a large group, those who consider themselves "artists" but are completely contrived in their ideas of what art is. You're not contributing anything. I suppose you think you are.
See my comments above about artists.  I do think I am contributing something.  I am creating images that have never been seen before.  Some of them are good, some are bad, but they're all unique.  I'd like to think that what I do might change the world but I don't think it's a very realistic goal.  I know I have made images that other people have liked, and those people have thanked me.

I challenge you, what is your purpose? Write a post about it, I dare you.
 I don't need a whole post.  My purpose is to create images that I want to look at.  Nothing fancy.  I don't need to "understand the dynamics of nature" or "focus on the beauty hidden in the soul", or "show the struggle of the individual against the universe." All quotes from actual artist statements by the way.

Then one minute after posting the first comment Grushenka left this one:
And of course you won't approve my comment, because to do so would challenge your ego. Pathetic. But go ahead, prove me wrong.
Since this is the first time that he or she has ever commented on anything I've posted I don't know where he or she got the idea that I wouldn't approve the comment.  

Does anyone else get the impression that Grushenka is just angry?  Anyway, sorry to not post any pictures with this post.  I hope to have some up in a few days of Jason that I shot on Sunday.

5 comments:

KMD Photog said...

I personally consider Josh a very intelligent person so I don't understand the insulting of a person's intelligence without personally having any evidence to that. I believe almost everything can be art whether good or bad it's generally unique. I think it depends on the person who's looking at it. I know some of your photos make me go "Wow" others go "Eh, let's move on" and some just make me go "What was he thinking" but no matter the result they do all make me stop and think for at least a brief moment. It did sound a bit angry because there was no true evidence to back a lot of that up...I'm a little confused myself. I'm happy you posted the comment though, as well as a response.

Karl said...

Art is defined by the intent of its creator. You create art. I consider you an artist. I don't think artists need to have MFAs, suffer, be impoverished, or know the difference between Goya and Gouda to create meaningful work. Those things are tools, not end products.

As for nudes, I have my own bias since I also create artistic nude photography. Not everyone likes our art, but that does not mean it isn't art. People often confuse taste with validity when it comes to subjective things like art, music, food, etc.

It is important for artists to be able to explain their work, and why they created it. By doing that, we can often reflect and grow from creating our art. With that said, that does not excuse the rudeness of Grushenka's comments.

Michael said...

Well done Josh. That attack was completely unwarranted and obviously came from someone who has issues with the kind of work both of us do. Despite the fact that I actually DO have an art degree, and am a working professional in the culture industry, I have also received similar criticisms. Tellingly, they seem to come exclusively from people who have issues with jealously and their own bodies.

There's a lot of angry people out there dealing with their own issues and insecurities by lashing out at others. What's it to them how we find our pleasure and our outlets for self-expression? You handled this with great dignity and admirable rational commentary. I salute you.

Michael B
artnudes.blogspot.com
barnes-photo.com

Z said...

You are a much nicer person than I am. I like what you said. Carry on.

JJ Blu said...

Good answer. So far as I can tell, the only two things you've done publicly that I would question are 1) put your blog as white text on a black background (murderous to read!), and 2) respond to Grushenka at all. Oh, and there's a typo in the headline of your posting.

Keep up the photography and the blogging, and thank you!