A basic Hermes Birkin Bag costs $35,000. Give it an
alligator exterior—$65,000. Add some diamonds—$90,000. Switch that alligator
with saltwater crocodile—$130,000.
Material is everything. Well…branding might play a small
factor as well, but, for the sake of argument, let’s just focus on material.
Although
I do believe artists are naturally gravitated towards whichever medium they
work best in, they also choose medium that corresponds with the idea and tone
of their piece. Medium provides a basis for feeling. The same scene depicted
with oil paints, watercolors, and charcoal will appear completely differently
in each of the representations.
I feel that this week’s lesson gave me something that I
had completely missed in my previous art education. Whether art history is
taught chronologically or thematically, it generally focuses on an idea or
period and then looks at the associated artists and works. I’ve never studied the
actual methodology of the art. And while I doubt that the knowledge of
fresco-making will ever prove to be very practical in my life, it does
definitely help me to better understand and appreciate the works I see.
Material is not just a means to an end but it can also be the entire point. How far can you push oil painting before it is no longer an oil painting? What happens when you add cement? Working at the limits of any medium, oil painting, acrylic, sculpture of any kind and a mix of any and all materials is difficult but gives way to thinking and understanding in ways you didn't before. So much can be learned from anyone material.
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