carving ethics

["George Graham" <georgergraham@zzzzzzzzzzz>]

Hi all,
I've really enjoyed the discussion of ethics and better add my two cents to
the pot!

I think that focusing on the purists vs the productionist sculptor leads us
in a direction that has no end. We have gone from the question that Norman
asked , am I doing something wrong by using a new tool to carve stone,
instead of a hammer and chisel, to looking at a sculptor using assistants to
execute a work of art. In my mind they are both the same. A stone carver
using a new innovation to express themselves is identical to having the
assistance of a "human" tool. The beauty  of having assistants help you is
that , you have the skills and sensitivities of another artists\craftsmen
helping you. This is essentially the ultimate tool. The dark side to this
situation is that an unethical artists ( I think that is an oxymoron phrase)
could have his assistants crank out an endless stream of similar work, and
all the "artist" has to do is sign his name, and get the money. If we throw
out the extreme examples of fraud and forgery committed by unethical
"artists", our whole discussion is about process.

I just don't see how any process that is used by an ernest, and honest
artists as they go on this life long journey of self expression, and
communicating to others , can in any way be unethical. It is in our very
nature to be creative, and to not be creative in the process of doing art is
impossible. Almost everyday I read wonderful innovations and ideas posted to
help each other . We have come a long way from using stone hammers to make
stone tools to make stone carvings. Now we are using air hammers, die
grinders, diamond burrs, and sandblasters to make stone carvings. We are
doing the same thing that Neanderthals were doing, but we have better tools.

This evening I was reading a book by Kevin Gardner called "The Granite
Kiss". It's wonderful and thoughtful book about how the old stone walls of
New England were built. One old builder was quoted to say," a man learns
something about himself every time he builds a wall" When I read that , my
confused thoughts crystallized on this subject of ethics. The most unethical
thing an artists can do is not learn something about himself every time he
finishes a piece. If an old master has helpers that he brings along with him
as he does his work, then so much the better. If Norman wants to use a
flexible shaft grinder to carve with, then he should do so with as much
pleasure and enthusiasm as he can. Any art work that he does will be
enlightening to him and the viewer.

I keep coming back to Norman because he is someone who cares and thinks
about every aspect of  stone carving. I suspect that has something to do
with being a mountain climber who hangs off the sides of cliffs.  My most
heartfelt advice for him and any other beginner, is to begin the learning
process by doing the carving. The more you sculpt, the faster you learn what
you want to do, how you want to do it, and maybe after a very long time, why

That's enough for now,
Good carving to you all
George Graham