“Wow”, indeed! Dear Eliza, I cannot tell you how exciting it is to be joining you on this journey! I’m not certain, but I do believe that we might be the first to attempt to document the exchange that takes place between an artist and model in the creation of a work of art. I’m particularly excited because I think this is going to allow for some compelling reflection on the nature of that relationship, as well as the relationship between a pair of artists, and the ever odious “fan and celebrity” (a phrase that always makes my insides turn). I’ve always maintained that one has to be widely “celebrated” to be a celebrity, and what I’ve got, is a modicum of fame, that’s five years old. Thanks to the internet, you can even get listings for such things. Here’s a recent popularity ranking of former project runway contestants from mylifetime.com:
As you can see, I’m out-ranked by Kayne Gillespie! So I think, we should formally dissolve this fan/celebrity context, because the numbers clearly are not celebrating me! But seriously, I am much more intrigued by what we can accomplish on a lateral plane, as an exchange between two creative persons, both extraordinary for their skill, but neither for their station. While the constructs of fame have brought us together, isn’t it interesting that at the end of the day, we are really two strangers that want to know more about each other? On that note, isn’t it also curious that you found inspiration in an image that is essentially a self-portrait that I snapped with my computer?
It seems likely that what we want from our “celebrities” is intimacy. It’s fascinating to note that the process of your work has moved you progressively closer to your subjects. Paparazzi images, from the internet, have given way to images from public performances that you’ve personally attended. And now, this image is one taken by the subject themself. (It’s essentially a manifestation of how I think I look, from the outside in.) And yet, it still isn’t the ‘whole picture’. I’m hoping that while we converse over this process I’ll get to know you, and you’ll get to know me, on a level that transcends this photo, and somehow, what you learn, will find it’s way into your drawing. I can see from your tweets that we already have several likes in common. Am I safe in my assumption that you are also a fan of Doctor Who, and the New BBC Sherlock Holmes? Of course, I already knew about “Drag Race”, another brilliant exploration of public persona and intimacy. I’ve forgotten the other images that you had also considered. Perhaps you can post them in the next installment, and share a little bit about what makes a suitable image for transfiguration into crayon? I’m curious to see whether they were all indeed pictures that I’ve taken myself.
Type soon,
Andrae
One Response
This is cool. You guys are fun.
Of course I imagine that since the artist’s main task is to convey their understanding and vision of a subject (celeb, intimate, new idea, whatever) to others. In my experience, not only the vision, but the way to share it requires something more than great talent… it requires the ability to do just what you said: See the subject from angles. From the public facing in, or from the inside out. That effort seems like it is a much an important tool in the work as the canvas or the crayons.
Keep up the work you guys!