Crafts Report: Public Opinion

Can You Incorporate Trends Into Your Work and Maintain Your Artistic Integrity?

WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?

Each month, The Crafts Report invites readers to respond to the Public Opinion question. Responses are published in the magazine.

This month’s question is: Gallery owners: What percentage do you charge on consignment sales? Why?

Please respond by Jan. 8, 2002. Responses to this question will appear in the March 2002 issue.

E-mail:
publicopinion@craftsreport.com; or CLICK HERE

Send responses to: “Public Opinion,” The Crafts Report, 300 Water St., Wilmington, DE 19801; fax: (302) 656-4894.

Anonymous responses will no longer be published.

Yes ... I believe it is possible to incorporate trends in our work and maintain artistic integrity ... as long as we incorporate integrity into the trend! What I mean by that is that it is possible to interpret what is happening around us and allow our authentic selves to translate that truth through our work. For example, the Asian/Zen trend, although it is nearly played out in some areas, will continue to be strong when it is approached with the organic simplicity that is the essence of that philosophy. It loses its truth when it is applied to every surface of every product in every possible venue. I feel like that is happening with the patriotic trend right now. When we, as creative people, take the time to weave our very personal experiences into our work, we have the opportunity to unite and inspire.

I think fiber artists, jewelers and other designers of wearable art are more likely to do well if they follow trends. For example, for years the trend in jewelry was to wear small, delicate pieces. Artists who made bold pieces had a smaller audience.

Potters, painters and woodworkers whose work is used in home interiors have longer trend-times to deal with. People classify themselves as “traditional” or “contemporary” and choose furniture that reflects their own tastes. That’s less likely to happen in fashion, which is more designer-directed.

Trend is often confused with fad. A trend is a change in direction in style or color. A fad is a fast-moving, often unfocused trend. In my field (jewelry), fads are stretch bracelets, splashes of hot pink and orange; trends include the continued popularity of silver, the interest in semi-precious stones, and longer length necklaces.

Artists/crafters who sell to the public and depend on a large audience for support have to pay attention to trends or they don’t have a large enough audience. But artists who create good, original design and produce quality work do the best. Paying attention to trends is not debasing artistic talent, it’s stretching the imagination.

It is impossible to live in a vacuum today. The globalization of our life … can no longer exist without some influences or trends, as you put it. Some artists make work for the market (following the trends). And some artists make a market for the work. Either way we follow trends. They creep into our fabric inadvertently or are searched out. My measure of a good artist is that they have to be out of step with the public. Art has to offer a different perspective, challenge your values, but often it is a reaction to a trend.

Yes ... with the usual caveats! Maybe an example would be: A photographer or painter does architectural work, of one sort or another. He or she finds that architecture of ancient Rome is in demand, then does pictures of ancient Rome with two conditions: That they be of the same quality as the previous work. And that it does not replace other types of architecture in the portfolio.

I design glass bead jewelry, which falls into the category of fashion jewelry. When I first began, I kept up with fashion jewelry trends. But they never worked for me. I no longer keep up with trends. I treat any trend that comes my way by osmosis as just another inspiration factor. If it strikes a chord with what I’m already doing or am interested in, then I consider it. Otherwise, it has no place in influencing my designs.