Steve, I'd say an epigrammatic statement is optional. One of the best statements of purpose in my opinion: ____ "I photograph to find out what something looks like photographed" - Winogrand. AZ Build a Lookaround! The Lookaround Book, 2nd ed. NOW SHIPPING http://www.panoramacamera.us > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Re: Rules > From: "SteveS" <sgshiya@xxxxxxxxxxxx> > Date: Tue, January 25, 2005 12:51 am > To: "List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students" > <photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > > The idea of presenting a purpose statement is the purpose for making > pictures with photography, not justify what you are presenting. > > Ansel said: My purpose is to offer a sense of pressence. > > Morely Baer said: My purpose is to follow the path of light. > > My purpose with photography is to offer an understanding through metaphor; > or not. > > Atget said: Look there! > > Cartier-Bressens is the famous one: To capture the decisive moment. > > If, as you present, the artist statement of purpose is to say: "Here are > some interesting ideas," that's it. > > A crappy purpose usually tells in the work -- consistancy, that is. Many > of us make one good picture; but can you capture was you mean to capture and > begin with a statement of purpose, which is to 'step up' as an artist and > show. > > That's all. > > Steve Shapiro > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <lookaround360@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > To: "List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students" > <photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 11:03 AM > Subject: RE: Rules > > > > > > > > Steve, > > > > The expression that comes out (conscious or otherwise) in the doing of > > the art might have a value to the artist but is less interesting to > > others. I think it is better that art reveals something different and > > surprising to each person in the audience. The artist may say "Here are > > some interesting ideas, see how they effect you." Rather than, "Here > > is what I think about this." > > > > RE "Truth and Beauty - Picasso said "Art is the lie that tells the > > truth." > > > > AZ > > > > Build a Lookaround! > > The Lookaround Book, 2nd ed. > > NOW SHIPPING > > http://www.panoramacamera.us > > > > > > > > > >> -------- Original Message -------- > >> Subject: Re: Rules > >> From: "SteveS" <sgshiya@xxxxxxxxxxxx> > >> Date: Mon, January 24, 2005 10:53 am > >> To: "List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students" > >> <photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > >> > >> ----- Original Message ----- > >> From: <lookaround360@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > >> Subject: RE: Rules > >> -- snip -- > >> > >> >Originality may be possible but is not a > >> > requirement nor are personal statements which more often than not, I > >> > believe, diminish the experience of art. > >> > > >> > AZ > >> > > >> I heartily dissagree. To define your personal statement is to bring the > >> unconscious mind to the conscious that makes the art work a much more > >> enjoyable process, in terms of satisfaction to what you've set your mind > >> to > >> do. > >> > >> The original question: what is art for? I believe what several fine > >> teachers have said: To enhance the beauty in our lives. Given the > >> Aristotelian definition of beauty. "Truth is beauty, beauty is truth." > >> And, not to omit what Andy Warhol said: "Clean is beauty, beauty is > >> clean." > >> > >> Steve Shapiro > > > > > >
