Okay, I'm thinking of testing this out soon – art from our community going head to head in a Creator Clash competition instead of featuring famous/historical work like usual.
Could be fun -- could be a fast lane to hurt feelings?
Let me know what you think and if you'd be up for seeing your art compete in a Creator Clash!
Sounds intriguing. I'd be curious to find out the details as to what would be involved. I'd like to think of it more as a fun constructive criticism session since, as another person pointed out, there's never really a "best" in art... and that's what makes art so great. 😉
Or maybe do a community vote through phases. Like the first cut is top 50 voted for etc. etc... I like the idea
Constructive discussion of one another's art can lead to an expanded notion of where ae stand and opens up possibilties for the evolution of our art. I was the organizer of a Meetup group of local photographers. We all benefitted greatly from our get-togethers. Additionally, members frequently offered short tutorials on techniques for post-processing that also expanded our horizons.
I'm in. As artists we need to accept that not everyone is going to like every piece we do. One of the biggest problems I experience in this area as a photographer is the emotional connection I have to every photograph I take. I'm sure other artists face this same issue.
I'm a bit ambiguous about judged art competitions, The only ones where I think the judges have got it right are the ones where i have won.
Maybe change the wording from picking a winner to top favorite pieces, fan favorites, most popular or most interesting. Keep the wording and voting focused on aspects of the works with emphasis on why the art was chosen. Most popular and why would be more constructive and useful instead of winners and losers....
One of the most important traits to foster in yourself as an artist is comfort with criticism and the reality of subjectivity. The people voting may not be your audience, there's no hurt feelings in that.
This sounds like fun. If I have something that fits the mold, I would participate.
To me, after teaching art for many years at the University level, critiquing is a very strange practice, and certain conditions have to be in place for it to be orderly. I don't know who is going to lead this? And my main concern is that we cannot see the quality of the paint online. We can discern many things like color theory and composition, but paint quality isn't visible without seeing the artwork live.
Sounds good. How about not just a vote but the reason for the vote.
I totally agree that art competitions, and I enter many occasionally winning awards, are generally a philosophical flat tire. For example, comparing a highly skilled modern representational painter to Rembrandt is a thorough waste of time in my opinion. But the great crisis in art is how to judge quality. I am also a physical scientist, and science has very powerful tools for vetting ideas. Not so in the arts. Until the advent of AI I would have advocated for a different contest without caveat. Present say 10 artwork images without attribution. Have people vote on their favorite. Only one is by a famous painter. This is a double blind experiment of a sort. The problem is that modern AI may be able to identify the sleeper for people, so cheating becomes easy. If done honestly this tells you how well work by famous artists stacks up against good work by unknowns in the minds of ordinary people, and I think that is more interesting because I believe it would tend to demonstrate that much of the art by unrecognized artists is undervalued.
Could be all of that: However with some guideposts on 'how to view art with compassion and encouragement' -- it could be a very wonderful opportunity for feedback and something to look forward to. Clash...a term that pits one against the other rather than "choice" --- so it is a matter of 'coaching' from the perspective of the "viewer" and the "person being reviewed". This brings "trust" into the community rather than separation. "Creator Collab" or Creator Fusion or Creator Rally or Creator Connect... Make it our own and encourage Community while allowing a competition...Artists have kind hearts, good design eye, and ALL art is beautiful to the right audience. Here we may be able to get closer to defining that audience without 'hurt' but candid and honest feedback. Instead of yuk, that's terrible... it could be mmm, not my cup of tea, however, I do like the color, the shapes, the rhythmn...or what ever. not only teaches Artist new vocabulary to use in being observant, but allows for someone to rise to the top. Using terms like tone, color, resonance, etc. Give out the list of artists words and vocabulary first...as a prompt for describing likes and dislikes...
I'm almost too busy to answer this, but I think narrowing the criteria would be a gentle way to include all artists-- Instead of "Best" you could say Which makes you feel the heat? Or Which most evokes childhood memories of summer ? or so on. (questions which would inspire some of to create work along that theme, too!) There's a huge diversity of skill levels of artists/photographers on here, which is good, but I don't think we should emphasize competition between skill levels.
So, I am on the fence with this one. On the one hand, nothing wrong with a little competitive fun...a bit of a summer pick me up, could be a good way to get a creative spin on critiquing and fixing problems in art, and I suppose there would be bragging rights for the person who "wins".
On the other hand, there is art, good or bad is an opinion, not a fact, and where this could just lead to a popularity contest...voting for people you know versus an artwork for artwork. Could it be done in a way that we do not know who we are voting for, just comparing our likes painting to painting.
Most of my art sales are from submissions for public art calls.... So dozens or usually hundreds of artists apply, and only 1, or a few in some cases, are picked. That means a lot of us are already getting a lot of rejections. I'm used to it now ...I just move on, but I wouldn't want to ask for more of it unless there's some bennie from going through it. That said.... If you're into it, go for it!!!
Could you give some more details about your art submission procedures? I’ve always assumed these call for art deals are scams or I would have no chance of winning - and all I’m doing is wasting my money on entry fees.
Sure! The calls I usually submit for are city or county arts commissions looking for - usually - art that is suitable for signal box wraps or vinyl prints on aluminum panels, or printed art on adhesive film on windows or walls. I usually submit my digital art for these.... And they don't charge fees to submit, and if they pick you as an artist, the pay is usually decent. Sometimes state organizations or other entities look for art this same way - like hospitals, for example. If you look on Entry Thingy or CAFE (call for entry) filter by public art or no entry fee. I agree that I also feel a lot of those fee based shows are just out to make money, though I enter there to once in a while just for exposure.
I’m in. I think constructive art criticism is beneficial. And I’m ready to hit this whole art creator thing head on:)
over the years, I've done a few "clashes" with fellow artists. We called them "duels" and had people on IG vote for their favorite. Winning image was then given away as a print to one of the people who voted. Worked well, so I'm all for this.
Go for it. The most important lesson I learned from art school was that criticism is the best form of learning. You strengthen your own views; you look at your work in a new light, and most of all, you learn how to communicate using the language of art. This idea of yours would be like going back to art school, bouncing ideas, philosophies and anything that life throws at you. A chance to live and breathe ART.
I think this sounds like fun ...also a way to connect ..I agree with other comments about no "Best" ..just most popular choice
I’m still not sure how all of this posting and back and forth helps us reach non artists through the normal social media channels.
I would love to see, but am not brave enough to participate at least out of the starting gate 😉
Totally get that! If it ends up being a fun time I'm sure we'll do plenty of them so you could jump in later.
Go for it, we won't bite!! Sharing with other creatives is probably the safest place to start.
I have comparison-itis bad enough on my own, I don’t need to go up against another artist in here. I just read Taylor’s post more carefully. It’s a definite no for me. I haven’t ever been in an art competition or had it critiqued. I’m too new at this.
Hi, all! I agree with Genie Higbee regarding the competition. But we can share our works and discuss them. I think it is more inspiring and provides new ideas and ways of working.
Okay with me too.
Talking about art can never hurt, especially among artists. So it's better viewed as a discussion approach rather than any kind of competition.
We definitely need to collaborate and celebrate! I absolutely concur about it being constructive, friendly, respectful, supportive and helpful with our artistic community and personal journey! I do not know the concept of the march madness and I am hoping this an opportunity and advantage 🤞🏻. You mentioned the purpose of being a creator clash my thoughts and questions to this group and you,
You suggest ‘Summer’ as a the theme logical due to the obvious lol, how would these creative pieces become and benefit in clashing?
Are these clashes to probe curiosity and growth?
Do you want discussion and debate on polar opposites?
How would trolling be managed if it happens?
What benefits are there to have voters?
What outcomes, goals and benefits are aiming and wanting from this experience?
You cannot please all of the people all of the time fortunately at present we all have preferences, opinions and values. I personally would love this experience to give growth, acceptance and lots of reflection in order to develop
I would love to see the various interpretations of summer. It would be tough to judge "Best" without specific criteria. I know that we are all in competition with each other for the market place but I am not sure we should compete with each other. Too many genres.
I Like this Idea, I have been trying everything to get some honest critisism on my work. This seems like a great way to get som insight. Even if people only post why they prefer one piece over another.
What if, i dont have a painting that depict summer, most of the paintings i do have more of a dark touch, like winter. Have i experienced summer yet, not as in weather, i am or my life is still on the between plane of not so summer. What painting do i present? An ADHD artist.
That is an amazing idea. It’s a fantastic way to showcase incredible artwork in a beautifully organized exhibition. I think it would create a memorable experience for everyone and really allow each piece to shine. Rachel
Lets do it.Whats the worst that can happen ???All egos and opinions put aside and just do it See what happens
Kim
Lets do it. I've had enough paintings turned down that it doesn't worry me too much. And presumably it costs me nothing.
I can see that I am quite alone in this. Please forgive if I offend any of you. But I'll express my thought: I believe there can be no winner of BEST in regard to artistic creations. Who wrote THE BEST symphony? Who painted THE BEST portrait? Who wrote THE BEST poem? So...are we actually asking "what's most popular with a particular group of voters?" and does that make it BEST? And who does that benefit? YAY THE WINNER!!! So if CLASH is fun, I say go go for it. I myself find it a waste of time and energy with no benefit. I do admire seeing our multitude of interpretations of a subject, however. Seeing this amazing group's work is truly inspiring and energizing.
I agree that a winner should not be the point but the sharing could be positive.
Genie is spot on. I'm all for constructive discussions but how do you pick a winner that best reflects "summer" - or the best of anything really. We all see different things or experience different emotions when looking at an art piece! Nice idea tho.
When you're drawing it's never a waste of time.... It's just practice in a world where the currency is Time.
Helloooooo, rationally you’re absolutely right. And for my part, for example, I already take that for granted. That’s why I also have no problem participating, if someone else wins. Especially because, in reality, it’s fun. There is no true 'BEST'.
The exercise here consists of deliberately letting art affect you in a specific way. In a tunnel. And this is already interesting: you notice a difference in the direct comparison with the subject and with another image. It’s similar to how an image can look really bad if you hang it in the wrong place.
So, well, it’s fun and helps people get into creativity and connect with each other. That’s why, actually, it’s not a waste of time, with so much precision.
But, of course, rationally viewed, you’re right; and so many people who make art itself see it as a waste of time.
It’s not always useful for everything.
Some guideposts on 'how to view art with compassion and encouragement' -- it could be a very wonderful opportunity for feedback and something to look forward to. Clash...a term that pits one against the other rather than "choice" --- so it is a matter of 'coaching' from the perspective of the "viewer" and the "person being reviewed". This brings "trust" into the community rather than separation. "Creator Collab" or Creator Fusion or Creator Rally or Creator Connect... Make it our own and encourage Community while allowing a competition...Artists have kind hearts, good design eye, and ALL art is beautiful to the right audience. Here we may be able to get closer to defining that audience without 'hurt' but candid and honest feedback. Instead of yuk, that's terrible... it could be mmm, not my cup of tea, however, I do like the color, the shapes, the rhythmn...or what ever. not only teaches Artist new vocabulary to use in being observant, but allows for someone to rise to the top. Using terms like tone, color, resonance, etc. Give out the list of artists words and vocabulary first...as a prompt for describing likes and dislikes...