The Art of the Studio

Presenter Information

Amy Gilley

Location

Room 207/205 Traditional Presentations

Document Type

Presentation

Start Date

24-2-2018 9:00 AM

End Date

24-2-2018 10:30 AM

Description

The following paper will consider the role of the art studio as the source of artistic invention; the rise of the makerspace (an offshoot of digital humanities) has eclipsed the art studio, which is at once a laboratory and workshop. The makerspace, with its emphasis on democratic values, neglects the value of skill and tradition in determining expression. The traditional art studio contains the missing elements in the makerspace: the structured platform of apprenticeship and mastery has been replaced by an amateur experimentation. The makerspace is an offshoot of a tradition that can be traced to the medieval era, but with the difference that the artist is the result of tradition, training, apprenticeship, and skill; the makerspace is more akin to an amateur hobby.

In a makerspace, the value is on access; in the art studio, the emphasis concerns the development of skill in materials and method. The makerspace devalues skill for the false value of democratic expression; one cannot truly express or invent until one can understand method and materials. The art studio has lasted for hundreds of years; the makerspace is a few years old. Having ready access to materials is only half of the story.

In order to introduce to the digital humanities, the values of art, which are developed through time and education, we shall follow a journey of artistic education: an artist named X who looks for a studio to learn printmaking, the perfect combination of technology and art. Her journey will consider the traditional workshop, the new makerspaces, and the role of commerce in art.

This paper will examine the history of the art studio in comparison to the contemporary makerspace.

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Feb 24th, 9:00 AM Feb 24th, 10:30 AM

The Art of the Studio

Room 207/205 Traditional Presentations

The following paper will consider the role of the art studio as the source of artistic invention; the rise of the makerspace (an offshoot of digital humanities) has eclipsed the art studio, which is at once a laboratory and workshop. The makerspace, with its emphasis on democratic values, neglects the value of skill and tradition in determining expression. The traditional art studio contains the missing elements in the makerspace: the structured platform of apprenticeship and mastery has been replaced by an amateur experimentation. The makerspace is an offshoot of a tradition that can be traced to the medieval era, but with the difference that the artist is the result of tradition, training, apprenticeship, and skill; the makerspace is more akin to an amateur hobby.

In a makerspace, the value is on access; in the art studio, the emphasis concerns the development of skill in materials and method. The makerspace devalues skill for the false value of democratic expression; one cannot truly express or invent until one can understand method and materials. The art studio has lasted for hundreds of years; the makerspace is a few years old. Having ready access to materials is only half of the story.

In order to introduce to the digital humanities, the values of art, which are developed through time and education, we shall follow a journey of artistic education: an artist named X who looks for a studio to learn printmaking, the perfect combination of technology and art. Her journey will consider the traditional workshop, the new makerspaces, and the role of commerce in art.

This paper will examine the history of the art studio in comparison to the contemporary makerspace.