[Artemisia] Arts and Science Questions

[LadyPDC at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/21/2008 8:23:30 P.M. Mountain Standard Time,  
carynvnk at comcast.net writes:


Do  quality materials automatically make something better?

Quality  materials produce a better product. By better I mean more likely to
last  and to give satisfaction, both to the creator and the consumer. It's
really  sad to have poured a lot of work and love into something that will
fall  apart in a short time because it's made of flimsy materials, or to be
given  something and not have it last. For instance, the scroll made on
high-acid  paper with non-lightfast inks and paints. I've made test pieces
with cheap  art materials and had the colors fade in three months. The
materials should  be worthy of the work.



OK, leaping in for a short comment before I have to get back to  mundane work 
and rest and healing.
 
While I agree with the comment above in general and have always found it  
better and more satisfying to work with the best materials available either due  
to availability or affordability, I think that we do need to address the  
opposite side of the coin.
 
The best materials used in a poor way will not yield a better product  than 
poor materials used by a dedicated artisan.  In other words, good  materials 
will not substitute for practice, research, diligence and yes even  some talent 
(though you will note that talent is the last qualifier).  I  was married to a 
man who thought that high priced materials could let him get  away with low 
quality work.  In the long run even he was forced to  recognize that this was 
not a good trade.
 
Ideally, of course, we would have high quality materials in the hands of  
highly dedicated artisans and practitioners.  In that case everyone,  including 
the audience, wins.
 
And yes, in answer to another of the questions, I consider the audience and  
viewers to be artisans in their own right and vital to the arts and science  
endeavor.  If not for those who will view, listen, eat, wear, use and  
appreciate the works done and/or performed, the purpose of the endeavor would  cease 
to exist.  One could even argue that the audience is the most  important part 
of the experience.  (this one would not so argue as I think  that they are 
either equal or weighted slightly towards the artisan who might  continue to 
create alone and without any critique in the true sense of the  word.  But such an 
argument "could" be made)
 
OK   rambled enough   back to mumbling over a hot  keyboard.
 
 
Mistress Constance de la Rose, OL
Barony of Loch  Salann
Kingdom of  Artemisia




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