Gerhard Richter Painting movie last week. Definitely would recommend it if you are interested in painting in general, and his work in particular. I think he is an interesting painter, definitely not one of my favorites, but I rarely miss an opportunity to watch a documentary on an artist.
I have a book of interviews with Richter and his own writings called The Daily Practice of Painting: Writings 1962 – 1993 from which I pulled this month’s quote:
“Pleasure is only one aspect [of painting]. Nothing can be done without it; but if that’s all there is to it, it merely bores and irritates the viewer. The objective side has to come in, through which painting offers something of universal interest: a statement, a new quality, an advance – something the other person can do something with.”
Your thoughts? Agree? Disagree?
Responses to “Food for Thought: Gerhard Richter”
Sandi
Hi Michelle
Just saw the movie last night as a late mothers day gift with my family. I was impressed by his honesty, his vulnerability, and his courage. I loved his description of one’s work as an artist as a manner of “being seen.” Deeply. I think my other favorite moment was his spontaneous exclamation, “this is FUN!” while he was painting. Although you experience his struggle, the sense of being exposed during his process and the self importance of the way the art world perceives the artist through the lens of fame and projection, ultimately it IS fun! Sometimes when I am working I can’t believe how much fun it is. That joyousness of creation abandon and playfulness. And sometimes it is work…struggle and courage is called for. At any rate I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to all.
Michele Theberge
Sandi – I find that Richter has definitely mellowed and softened with age which is something I appreciated from the movie. When he was younger he was prone to making a lot of pronouncements about art – criticizing other artists and their aims – such as Anselm Kiefer. I find him much more humble now.
rennie
“Universal” … yes that takes us – artist and viewer both – into a different world. Into … the Universal. Far, far away from personal (mortal and transient) pleasure. It is the task, and the quest, of the artist to take the “Universal” and then offer it on (not forgetting what “Inspiration” actually is …) for the viewer to be touched. Nice quote …
Michele Theberge
Hi Rennie – so glad you shared your thoughts here. Glad you liked the quote.
Kim
Great recommendation! Thank you.
Michele Theberge
So welcome, Kim! I just heard about it myself by chance and was glad to be able to make it last minute as it was only in San Francisco for a few days. Hope you get to see it!
jewel lentz
Yes, to paint, is to from the heart, and so the passion comes from there, and can not be boring. I believe the artists pull out what the world thinks about laments about and hopes for. Thanks for posting this article Michelle. Cheers Jewel
Michele Theberge
Hi Jewel! “I believe the artists pull out what the world thinks about laments about and hopes for” – insightful.
Cyrus Mejia
Hi Michelle, I loved the trailer, but don’t live anywhere near a theater this will be shown in. Sadly I’ll wait for Netflix! But thanks for the heads up. I look forward to meeting you on the May 29th phone call!
Cyrus
admin
Hey Cyrus – that’s the thing with art movies, right? Kind of marginal in movie land. At least there is Netflix! And so excited you have signed up for the call! Yay! https://www.themindfulartist.com/freecall
Tim McKay
Art is personal to me. I do not see it as universal in the same way I do not see myself as an archetype. When I make art I have fun. If art making stops being fun, then I quit doing it. My art fits into a timely perspective of what I feel, think, wish and dream. I share my inspiration, source and meaning, i.e., my iconography.
Michele Theberge
Hi Tim – It’s great to know what drives us as artists. I so appreciate your joy and sense of fun in the process!
Ed Smiley
I’m not sure you can really approach the universal, except through the personal. I think that when you go deeper, you pull out something that’s surprising sometimes, and then you try to let it become alive, and it’s a great feeling if it happens. But the things made always seem to reflect a particular world and particular way of seeing, and yet they seem to come a bit from outside ourselves and connect up with all the other worlds.
Michele Theberge
Hey Ed! I really love how you put this. “I think that when you go deeper, you pull out something that’s surprising sometimes, and then you try to let it become alive, and it’s a great feeling if it happens.”
Well put!
Matthew J. Johnson
Dear M.A. Forum,
Tim McKay responded, “My art fits into a timely perspective of what I feel, think, wish and dream.”
And I most definitely agree with his philosophy along-side the quote that Michele posted by Gerhard Richter. Painting is truly one of the aspects of the pleasure that I receive from using my imaginations creative power.
As for the objective – this is where the “perspective of what I feel, think, wish, and dream” begins to shift into higher gears, merely revealing the essential nature of the content I am currently contemplating. The practice of enabling the viewers mind for later enlightenment is where the objective lives, by providing that “take-away and do something with it” vibe.
I am in full agreement towards this particular quote.
[MJ]
admin
Matthew Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!
Kellyann
kellyannart.com
I agree, an academic art & design study with each new collection & iteration in ones art practice. A continual quest for knowledge that perhaps touches the viewer in your artwork. To continue to practice this is a thoughtful, practical, process. A love of learning & growing. Discovery throughout ones life.
Art as life & life as art.
Cheers, Kellyann
“Pleasure is only one aspect [of painting]. Nothing can be done without it; but if that’s all there is to it, it merely bores and irritates the viewer. The objective side has to come in, through which painting offers something of universal interest: a statement, a new quality, an advance – something the other person can do something with.” Gerard Richter
admin
Hi Kellyann! “Discovery throughout one’s life” I think that is one of the most compelling reasons I have been making art all these years. There is an exhilarating element of discover – continually.
Kellyann
Michele,
Thank you for inviting me to participate in your work process. I can see you possess many admirable qualities, which you share with the art world. Cheers & Best, Kellyann
Tim McKay
I do not believe in the concept of universal meaning to art. Art is always personal. Making art is the same as writing in your diary. You express forgotten or undiscovered ideas. Art has never had a universal meaning because that connotes that we all are connected to the same source for beauty, ideas, inspiration and memories. Please consider abstract art as way of showing that universal is an oxymoron. Most people are clueless to the “universal” nature of abstract art. If you gather 100 people in a room with one abstract painting, then do you get one universal meaning from this group. I doubt it.
Matthew J. Johnson
“I do not believe in the concept of universal meaning to art. Art is always personal. Making art is the same as writing in your diary. You express forgotten or undiscovered ideas. Art has never had a universal meaning because that connotes that we all are connected to the same source for beauty, ideas, inspiration and memories.”
Sir, being a product of this Earth, (a human being) we all make personal expressions creatively, especially one who rises from the mental view, and creates a product of the physical they envisioned. And when you are expressing “forgotten or undiscovered ideas” are they not A – already found out and made known somewhere if they are (forgotten)? and B – if it is undiscovered, is it not a Universal discovery that you found that could have been discovered by the person next to you? Art – to an extent, is a Universal means that connects us through beauty, inspiration, ideas, and memories.
Consider the thought of the maker of the universe. We all derive inspiration from the entities that (he/she/it) designed and created, so this is where the universal takes its position – artistically.
Art is life. Life is art.
Kim Acker
Excellent comments from Tim and Matthew. What about the idea that you’re both right? making art is both personal and universal.
Ed Smiley
Hey Michelle, and all,
Just an interesting footnote.
It’s really challenging to try painting with a squeegee. I’d seen some of his work and, although it was nothing like what I am aiming at, I gave it a go. (This was a little before your post, so maybe there was synchronicity involved.)
I’m just using one that is only about 9 inches. I’m not using it straight, I’m twisting it around like a giant palette knife. It is indeed fun. Hard to control though, I end up reworking quite a bit.
Nothing like his. That is one huge squeegee!
admin
Hey Ed,
I’m glad you shared your experience with the squeegee. Would love it if you want to post some of your results on my facebook page!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michele-Theberge/141639189231397
I’m so curious. I’ve never tried painting with a squeegee. Watching Richter paint with those custom designed GIANT squeegees is quite something.