“All painting, but also all literature, is merely a process of going round and round something inexpressible."
Anselm Kiefer
It seems to me that as artists and makers we are doing exactly this - trying to find another way, some way, a new approach perhaps, to express something we feel or need to communicate.
The fact that Kiefer suggests this something, whatever it is, is inexpressible, seems to say that we can consider the same thought or issue and find dozens of ways to try and tell its story - because the thought or feeling and our response to it, is at its heart not entirely able to be fully expressed.
I never feel as if a single work is the complete and total response to something. I imagine if I were to re-visit the different subjects I have made work about that I would find another way to go around it, another way to try and express what it means to me, how it has affected me or impacted on me. My responses will also always be less than the definitive response. I don't think such a thing exists.
In some ways, this thought gave me comfort to re-visit a subject and spend more time on it. Not feeling as if I were repeating it as such; but rather re-exploring, re-examining and re-discovering it.
Peace is one such subject. It needs revisiting and constant work.
Anselm Kiefer
It seems to me that as artists and makers we are doing exactly this - trying to find another way, some way, a new approach perhaps, to express something we feel or need to communicate.
The fact that Kiefer suggests this something, whatever it is, is inexpressible, seems to say that we can consider the same thought or issue and find dozens of ways to try and tell its story - because the thought or feeling and our response to it, is at its heart not entirely able to be fully expressed.
I never feel as if a single work is the complete and total response to something. I imagine if I were to re-visit the different subjects I have made work about that I would find another way to go around it, another way to try and express what it means to me, how it has affected me or impacted on me. My responses will also always be less than the definitive response. I don't think such a thing exists.
In some ways, this thought gave me comfort to re-visit a subject and spend more time on it. Not feeling as if I were repeating it as such; but rather re-exploring, re-examining and re-discovering it.
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| ©2012 Fiona Dempster, Peace dove street decoration, Auckland |
peace yes peace - a subject worth revision... always
ReplyDeleteI think so too Ronnie - now more than ever, but always.
DeleteFiona- thank you for your beautiful and truthful words. Peace is always (and should always)be worth revisiting. I love white dove.--Julie
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie - I expect I shall re-visit it more and more in the next while...
DeletePeace is something that has to be constantly worked at and worked for.If only everyone applied the same level of effort to it, who knows what might happen.
ReplyDeleteI agree so much Lesley - if all our energy was put towards peace instead of negativity - wow!
DeleteSomething inexpressible indeed -but a heart-warming white dove.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ersi - there will always be mystery...and working towards peace.
DeleteThanks so much for this Fiona. It is a very inspiring reminder of why we make art. Kiefer's quote and your beautiful response to it, really illuminate how to express the inexpressable. Going about it this way feels to be about stepping aside the usual way our minds work and allowing the mysterious to emerge. What a gift!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan - it was a beautifully expressed thought wasn't it - and in its depth almost hard to catch hold of. I expect the more we get out of the way - the more will emerge...
DeleteLovely sentiment; lovely image accompanying it.
ReplyDeleteAs for re-exploring, re-visiting, re-etc., etc., I have always felt that, in the whole, long, creative process - researching, experiencing, gathering, synthesizing, creating/making & so on - the 'synthesis' part is the one step that never seems to get as much time as it could/should. Either we have deadlines (whether external or self-imposed), other pressures...or more ideas to 'chase'. I often think to myself that, even if I could never leave my home again for some reason (!), I would never run out of inspiration/ideas. Part of this is because I feel that past projects are never truly finished, but they also make for such wonderful new starting points. As you say, the paths are numerous - endless - and never definitive.
Happy journey!
Oh Lisa - this is such a lovely bunch of words! I love how you see the potential of the old to be starting points for the new - so true. Almost picking up where you left off kind of thing...
DeleteWhat a great quote from an artist I love. Your words are very beautiful. Remind me of the sort of things that go through my head when I'm out walking.
ReplyDeleteHis words are wonderful here Annie I think (and thanks for your kind words about mine). Somehow it is all about circling the inexpressible isn't it? It just seems to fit for me, not totally sure how or why, but I am sure he is onto something.
Deleteyes. too bad the big important people don't all feel the same. imagine...
ReplyDeleteAh Velma - in so many ways we need to work on peace don't we? Imagine peace...
DeleteMakes sense to me.
ReplyDeleteHope you both have a wonderful Christmas, and much inspiration in 2013.
Thanks Jo - it does doesn't it. that constant quest for capturing and reflecting that which we can't quite express any other way? Best wishes for Christmas time and a bright new year.
DeleteWhat a wonderful post... I agree... as artists we are always exploring and searching for meaning in our work. And peace is what we hope for. happy holidays and happy new 2013.
ReplyDeleteThank you Donna - we do indeed wish for, seek and desire peace in our world. Best wishes for you over Christmas and into the new year.
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