Torchwood Studio - Polymer Clay Design and Creations

Dog Abuse? or Art Simply For The Sake Of Art?

Todays post isn't about polymer clay or any of the artists/artisans I usually talk about. I choose to put up a post about this situation as it does, somewhat, apply to "Art" in general and for the simple fact that I'm a dog lover. While you read this, please keep in mind I did do my research on the case but that the facts surrounding this so-called "Installation Piece" still remain somewhat murky and no one seems to know whether or not the dog died as a result. My whole point here is, even if the dog didn't die, why use a dog, or any animal for that matter, to express yourself.  For those of you that are saying that this is old news, c'mon......does it really matter?

Guillermo Habacuc Vargas is a Costa Rican artist who allegedly used a stray dog as a conceptual work of art to promote the fact that people are "hypocritical sheep". Apparently his focus was to  show how a starving dog suddenly becomes the center of attention at an art gallery but, not when it is out on the street where most people would ignore it. Though I may not agree with his methods, you have to admit a certain visceral reaction to the work. After doing quite a bit of research on this, I can safely say that he definitely grabbed peoples attention and certainly made his point. Whether this work qualifies as art, conceptual or not, I leave it to you to decide for yourself. Was it necessary to use a living creature in this manner simply to make a point? What do you think?

Mass Production and the Fall of Modern Civilization

What ever happened to the people who wanted to buy quality handmade things? Do you remember when the artists who put their passion and love into everything they made were highly sought after? When everything they made could be counted on to last for years....typically these things lasted so long that they were passed down through the family. Of course you don't remember, that was a long time ago. Today, retail, wholesale, mass production, cheap labor and Big Box Stores as far as the eye can see have overshadowed even the most talented independent artist.

I have received many emails about how my handcrafted polymer clay bowls seem to be a bit expensive. I spend days coming up with the design, figuring out how to best create that design and then I typically have at least 8-12 hours of hands on work to create and finish that piece. Too expensive? Your kidding, right? I've seen numerous artists question whether the beautiful heirloom necklaces they crafted with their own hands are priced to high. Again, are you kidding me? I've found necklaces, paintings, pottery (and other such items) on Etsy that I would expect to see in a museum setting or private collection. Unfortunately, people seem to have turned away from buying quality and they have run straight towards acquiring quantity. Why invest $300 in a heirloom necklace piece on Etsy that will last forever, that you can pass down to your children and then onto their children when you can run on over to your local Big Box Store and pick up a $10 necklace made my some faceless 8 year old in an Indonesian sweatshop. Oh sure, the necklace is only gonna hold up for a couple of weeks before the links break or the metal finish leaves this really interesting green patina on your skin. But hey, what the hell...it's only $10. I can buy another one when it falls apart and another one and another one....

I know that I'm not the only person that appreciates quality handmade things. I've never been a big fan of mass produced goods. I would rather acquire something that an individual artist toiled over, something that they put their passion, love and ideas into. That is what has value to me.

If you've only worshiped at the alter of mass produced goods, take sometime right now and look around at what individual artists the world over are making. See how they took an idea or a dream and used their hands and hearts to make it a reality. See how that necklace, painting, photograph or even polymer clay piece makes you feel inside when you really look at it. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Then again, as a famous comic once said... Of course, that's just my opinion.....I could be wrong.

But I'm not.