Post date: Aug 21, 2012 7:07:09 PM
1st Annual “Mouthy” Awards
When doing a new series of art, I normally think about a theme, topic, viewpoint or opinion which I feel deserves some general interaction and conversation by the public. Each piece in a given series is like a personal letter or phone call to me. Whether another agrees or disagrees with my viewpoint is not what is important to me. Their taking the time to express their personal views and feelings is what means the most and keeps me doing more of these little creatures. I am not concerned about what any numerical poll says as a generality. I care about what each individual thinks personally. Have found that one of the greatest friendship builders is when two friends take opposite sides when discussing a specific topic. Have been taught and learned that without truly, in depth, debating the pros and cons on a subject, that no real solution can be worked out or rendered. When there are no solutions, the world just continues to plod along in a dull and boring fashion. The old commercial about “a mind is a terrible thing to waste” is absolutely true. Is funny how excited we all get when children begin speaking their first words. The more developed their verbal abilities and inquisitiveness become, we wish they would just clam up, once in a while. By the time they are opinionated adults, we just want to find some place to hide from them. Personally, just think we should be excited and happy to hear what comes out of the mouth of anyone, whether they are 3 or 83. We should be happy for them taking the time to share their feeling, views and opinions.
Have also come to realize that by me titling/naming each new piece of art and then sending it out for solicitation of views and opinions, that I limit the viewer’s thought process. It becomes, like those yes or no, a,b,c or d or 1-10 polling questions. You don’t really get to say what is on your mind or just how you feel about the piece being presented. I know how I feel about the subject matter being presented, but as mentioned, care more about what you honestly see, feel and think. If I simply titled a piece “Untitled”, what would you name it and how would you describe what you see and feel to another viewer?
When I get all of these polling calls, I usually ask “are you going to pay me for this” or “what’s in it for me?”. America has always been the land of opportunity and dreams. People have come here for centuries to have the chance to be able to freely compete to have their dreams come true and to be winners in life. Few won’t put out the effort if they know they have a fair and equal chance to win. One cannot win if they don’t try and the wonderful thing about America is that you get unlimited opportunities to enter and win at whatever it is that you may choose to pursue.
Am announcing my own 1St Annual “Mouthy” Awards. It is a quite simple contest and you can enter as many times as you wish. Over the next few weeks you will receive new pieces of my art via email. You simply have to make a few comments, express your opinions and then give a name or title for the piece. An independent jury, consisting of all religious, racial, ethnic, color and political bents shall select the best name or title. The individual chosen shall have their name inscribed on the award and it will be shipped to them free of charge, including photos of the art piece. As a bonus, if said named piece is sold, the chosen namer or titlist shall receive 10% of the selling price or have that sum donated to their favorite charity.
It is my hope, that not only you will participate, but that you will forward this opportunity on to others, whom you may agree with or disagree with. In America we still have the freedom of speech and if we continue to communicate with one another, not have deaf ears, perhaps we can find more solutions for all to have their dreams come true.
JOHN MICHAEL dodig