ECCENTRIC ARTISTS

[Bent-Winged Angel]

Does anyone think that the "eccentricity" of an artist is equal to talent level?

[Sockratease]

No.

But I do find that eccentric art, when done with a modicum of talent too, is more amusing than mainstream and "vanilla" art!

Amusement value is not in any way equal to talent level, but it sure makes things more interesting. 

I enjoy both the technically excellent and the just plain silly.  I may even enjoy a good dose of silliness more than a technically excellent piece, but the level of talent (which is what you asked about) is a difficult thing to quantify.

Especially with such disparate subjects

[Bent-Winged Angel]

I was thinking of someone like Salvadore Dali. Talent is in the eye of the beholder?   You also answered my next possible question..  IE : level of technical dificulty does not nessecarily mean more appeasing to the eye.   Do you think that eccentricity usually = talent?

[Sockratease]

I was thinking of someone like Salvadore Dali. Talent is in the eye of the beholder?   You also answered my next possible question..  IE : level of technical dificulty does not nessecarily mean more appeasing to the eye.   Do you think that eccentricity usually = talent?

Personally, I feel the question cannot properly be asked (let alone answered!) because I think Eccentricity *IS* a talent. 

It's like asking if Skill usually equals Talent.

These things are all a matter of personal taste anyhow, so no two people are likely to have exactly the same answers...

Now if you asked "Does Eccentricity usually make Art more enjoyable?" - I would still have to say - "It depends!"

I have seen some bits of eccentricity trying to pass themselves off as "Modern Art" - but which I disliked.  And yet, much of my Very Favorite Stuff is unquestionably Eccentric.

[hobold]

Eccentricity, literally "off center", means that a person is more likely to do unexpected and surprising things. I guess this carries over to art, and a such it is a quality of the produced works.

However, not everything unexpected is really an improvement of the state of the art. Eccentricity can make it easier to explore new avenues, but it does not inherently make these new avenues worthy of exploration. It still takes the good judgement of an artist, and the skill in the relevant craft, to complete an overall work of art.

Well, that's just an opinion. And I am not even sure if I am always following my own criteria. More often than not, the novelty of an idea is enough for me, and I neglect art & craft. But then again, I don't really aim to evoke a response from an audience, as art does.

[Nahee_Enterprises]

Does anyone think that the "eccentricity" of an artist is equal to talent level?

As a general answer to a basically general question, I would have to say "No".  There are too many factors and definitions that need to be explored and explained to give any more of an answer.

For example, what may be eccentric in one culture, race, or whatever, could be quite normal in another.

Then there is the questionable discussion of "artist", since that leads to what is "art".  Not to mention what constitutes levels of "talent".  People have been going back and forth on these issues for longer than anyone truly knows.
 

[Bent-Winged Angel]

I was also pondering the titles of the programs we use such as ChaosPro. Ohh & we have the deviant art sight.  Both terms could be used to describe eccentric.  Maybe those who become artists have had lives that are deviant, chaotic? Sooo they/we need to find an outlet to express themselves. Talous Latrec? (sp)  How's that for dime store psych? 

[Sockratease]

... not everything unexpected is really an improvement of the state of the art. Eccentricity can make it easier to explore new avenues, but it does not inherently make these new avenues worthy of exploration.

If every piece had to improve the state of the art, very few new works would be made!

...But then again, I don't really aim to evoke a response from an audience, as art does.

That is the key to Art!

A friend of mine, who is a professional writer, says that he'd rather have people screaming what crap he's producing than have no reaction at all!  After all; A reaction is a reaction, and better than nothing.

[Bent-Winged Angel]

I believe that most artists want to provoke a response. Good or bad.  Better than being ignored.<a href="http://" target="_blank">http://</a>

[Sockratease]

Code:

...Good or bad.  Better than being ignored.[flash=200,200][/flash]

Did you mean to have a flash file there?

The empty player showed up for me, so I looked at your post - and the flash tag seems to be there, but no URL is specified!

Did you just click the icon by accident, or misunderstand how it works?  (You can edit in a URL if you want to display flash animations here hosted independently).

[Bent-Winged Angel]

  Curious not really knowing..  Thought I would give it a try.  Thanks for explaining! lol

[Bent-Winged Angel]

BTW I was rather disappointed with outcome.  Anti climatic? 

[Bent-Winged Angel]

someone mentioned something about provoking a response?  I was pondering if that's what "eccentric artists" tend to do also with personal style.  For example I used to while living in  a rather rural area... were a hooded black cape as a winter coat.  Also being that I'm disabled I would use a rather large snake walking stick.  Eccentric?  Also as previously mentioned depends on culture.

Now for 2nd part of question... Do any of you think your eccentric.. (personal style wise)

[Sockratease]

Now for 2nd part of question... Do any of you think your eccentric.. (personal style wise)

I'm not eccentric.

Everybody else is!!   

[Bent-Winged Angel]

AHHH uniquely normal?