cultural relevance?

["John VanCamp" <jvcstnwrks@zzzzzzzzzzzzz>]

Hi All.  I have not involved myself with replies to this very interesting
thread until now, but Georges comment brought back some powerful memories of
why I do what I do now.  ( I did get that degree in geology, but than
apprenticed as a stone mason when it came time to actually work).  Back in
the middle seventies, a local sculptor organized an international sculpture
symposium in our little community.  28 sculptors from eight countries lived
for 6 to 8 weeks in various homes around town, and each created a large
format piece of art the likes of which most people here abouts had never
experienced before.  Since we are in a limestone producing area, most were
stone carvings in full or split quarry blocks.

A few years later, several additional sculptors where invited to add pieces
to the collection, and by that time I was more that just curious about the
process -- spending many hours watching the artists work, and talking with
them about carving.  My masonry skills, and stone working abilities had
progressed to the point of realizing that I knew as much about working the
stone as any of the sculptors I had observed.  My dilemma was having no
"ART" background (degreed geologist--remember), and actually expressed that
to one of the sculptors I was spending time visiting with.

His response was that was a bunch of crap, and what I needed to do was carve
a piece.  If I liked it, than it was art.  If I didn't like it, throw it out
the back door, and carve another. This artist gave me permission to get
beyond my inhibitions, and become a carver. (Oh, by the way, that first
piece was bought, and resides in a private collection now. )

I guess what all of this is about, is that great art (not that I feel that
any of mine is) knows no cultural boundaries.  If it evokes an emotion, or
inspires, or changes the observer's perspective even so slightly, than it
has work as a piece of art should.  Thus an abstract form completed last
week can be just as great a work of art as Michelangelo's David.  However,
my art is art, only because I believe it to be, and if anyone else agrees,
that's frosting on the cake. If a piece does manage to evoke an emotional
response, than even better yet.  I'll continue to create since my passion
for the feel of the stone under my tools will not let me stop.

John VanCamp / JVC Stoneworks