Comments on: Why paint? http://artandperception.com/2006/11/why-paint.html a multi-disciplinary dialog Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:01:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: David http://artandperception.com/2006/11/why-paint.html#comment-1729 David Mon, 27 Nov 2006 21:45:52 +0000 http://www.artandperception.com/2006/11/why-paint.html#comment-1729 Jon, that's a good question. I think there are several good answers. (I'm assuming by math you mean arithmetic). The first thing that comes to mind is that by doing it longhand, you learn the concepts, and develop an understanding upon which you can build in learning more advanced mathematics. Even if you're using a calculator or computer to solve complex equations, you need to have an understanding of what you're trying to figure out. Learning basic math skills is the starting point. But it also occurs to me that once you do understand how to add, subtract, multiply and divide, it doesn't make any sense <i>not</i> to use a calculator in most cases. If my accountant insisted on figuring everything out with a pencil and paper, I think I'd be a little concerned. The math doesn't come out any better by using a pencil (if anything there is more room for error). It also generally takes a lot longer. Doing math in your head or on paper is a good way to train your mind, to build a foundation for further learning, and can be enjoyable just for the process itself. But if the purpose is to quickly and accurately find the sum of a bunch of numbers, a calculator is the way to go. I think on the surface "why paint" and "why do math" seem like similar questions. But in fact they are quite different. Jon, that’s a good question. I think there are several good answers. (I’m assuming by math you mean arithmetic).

The first thing that comes to mind is that by doing it longhand, you learn the concepts, and develop an understanding upon which you can build in learning more advanced mathematics. Even if you’re using a calculator or computer to solve complex equations, you need to have an understanding of what you’re trying to figure out. Learning basic math skills is the starting point.

But it also occurs to me that once you do understand how to add, subtract, multiply and divide, it doesn’t make any sense not to use a calculator in most cases. If my accountant insisted on figuring everything out with a pencil and paper, I think I’d be a little concerned. The math doesn’t come out any better by using a pencil (if anything there is more room for error). It also generally takes a lot longer.

Doing math in your head or on paper is a good way to train your mind, to build a foundation for further learning, and can be enjoyable just for the process itself. But if the purpose is to quickly and accurately find the sum of a bunch of numbers, a calculator is the way to go.

I think on the surface “why paint” and “why do math” seem like similar questions. But in fact they are quite different.

]]> By: Jon Conkey http://artandperception.com/2006/11/why-paint.html#comment-1728 Jon Conkey Mon, 27 Nov 2006 21:19:24 +0000 http://www.artandperception.com/2006/11/why-paint.html#comment-1728 Why do math when you can use a calculator? Why do math when you can use a calculator?

]]> By: David http://artandperception.com/2006/11/why-paint.html#comment-1708 David Mon, 27 Nov 2006 00:16:52 +0000 http://www.artandperception.com/2006/11/why-paint.html#comment-1708 <i> San Diego</i> Oh, you're just down the street :) There's a good contemporary art museum in La Jolla. I don't know what's there now, but I've seen some fine shows there in the past. Also, UC San Diego has one of the best collections of outdoor site-specific contemporary sculpture I've seen, scattered around their campus. Don't know if it's anything you'd like, but some excellent works by Bruce Nauman, Nam June Paik, Terry Allen and others. San Diego

Oh, you’re just down the street :)

There’s a good contemporary art museum in La Jolla. I don’t know what’s there now, but I’ve seen some fine shows there in the past. Also, UC San Diego has one of the best collections of outdoor site-specific contemporary sculpture I’ve seen, scattered around their campus. Don’t know if it’s anything you’d like, but some excellent works by Bruce Nauman, Nam June Paik, Terry Allen and others.

]]> By: Leslie Holt http://artandperception.com/2006/11/why-paint.html#comment-1707 Leslie Holt Sun, 26 Nov 2006 23:15:47 +0000 http://www.artandperception.com/2006/11/why-paint.html#comment-1707 Karl, Why not do it all? If this building compells you, why not sketch, paint, take photos, take videos, make monotypes, write about it... Although I primarily use paint right now, I have found working in different media can really open me up to new ways of experiencing subject matter and thinking about art in general. Why make a mark digitally versus with your hand, versus through the wieght of a printing press? All great experiences and very different. I think the division between media is pretty meaningless in this day and age It depends on what your goals are. Is "mastering" the medium of paint your supreme goal as an artist? It does not sound like it to me... Karl,
Why not do it all? If this building compells you, why not sketch, paint, take photos, take videos, make monotypes, write about it… Although I primarily use paint right now, I have found working in different media can really open me up to new ways of experiencing subject matter and thinking about art in general. Why make a mark digitally versus with your hand, versus through the wieght of a printing press? All great experiences and very different. I think the division between media is pretty meaningless in this day and age It depends on what your goals are.

Is “mastering” the medium of paint your supreme goal as an artist? It does not sound like it to me…

]]> By: Karl Zipser http://artandperception.com/2006/11/why-paint.html#comment-1703 Karl Zipser Sun, 26 Nov 2006 20:31:23 +0000 http://www.artandperception.com/2006/11/why-paint.html#comment-1703 David, I'm in San Diego. That's about seven thousand miles from Haarlem, plus two thousand miles of mental jet lag. I've been taking lots of photos . . . David,

I’m in San Diego. That’s about seven thousand miles from Haarlem, plus two thousand miles of mental jet lag.

I’ve been taking lots of photos . . .

]]> By: Diane Widler Wenzel http://artandperception.com/2006/11/why-paint.html#comment-1692 Diane Widler Wenzel Sun, 26 Nov 2006 17:06:00 +0000 http://www.artandperception.com/2006/11/why-paint.html#comment-1692 I am anxious to see more of your work on this Harlem building. I am anxious to see more of your work on this Harlem building.

]]> By: David http://artandperception.com/2006/11/why-paint.html#comment-1690 David Sun, 26 Nov 2006 16:33:26 +0000 http://www.artandperception.com/2006/11/why-paint.html#comment-1690 Karl, I'm trying to imagine where nine thousand miles from Haarlem might be. Wherever it is, be sure to take some photos. Karl, I’m trying to imagine where nine thousand miles from Haarlem might be. Wherever it is, be sure to take some photos.

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