Dear readers, each and everyone of you,
I don’t care for censorship. I had hoped I would never have to censor anything on a blog which I conceived of as a means to build a community of artists, art lovers, critics, educators, emerging artists, established ones, young and old. But today I’ve had to censor a few comments and I would like to discuss this openly and with transparency. I encourage you to join in a positive constructive discussion of the issue and to add your individual perspectives.
As an artist I see the value of constructive criticism. I encourage it. I desire it in my own practice for the challenges it can present; and for the opportunities for growth that it can inspire.
The comments that I have had to censor today are in my opinion not constructive, but rather a personal attack on a variety of levels which I feel does not have it’s place on this blog. I aim to showcase a variety of ceramic based art on this site. There will be many different genres, skill levels, approaches shown. I believe that this is very important as this amazing clay community is built up of so many individuals and their unique approaches to art.
I always encourage dialogue and commentary on the blog. In fact I often desire more commentary. But should you ever feel the need to be cruel, rude and make personal attacks (directed at myself or any other artist I showcase on the blog) I will be forced to censor your comments. Please understand and respect this. If you would like to comment on this or ask questions of me regarding this please do so either publically in the comments or you can also email me at [email protected]
As always I look forward to hearing from you, my dear readers. I appreciate that you are all here with me everyday and a part of this online community. I respect your opinions and thoughts and would love to hear them.
Cheers,
Carole
Good for you, I totally support your decision! I welcome people to say most anything on my blog, because I do, but I draw the line at insulting people or being hurtful (except for the large corporations that are… never mind, you can read this on my blog! haha) I have been very much enjoying the photos you are posting.
It sad that you have gotten comments that you feel the need to censor. It sucks that people feel the need to type something hurtful and not helpful about another artist. I'm glad you censored them, I know they would only have pissed me off.
Thank you.
That is very sad indeed. Unfortunately there are some very unhappy people out there.
Keep up the good work, I love the inspiration that your blog provides.
There is always one.
There is one in every crowd.
Do not let that one person ruin for you what you are doing.
Keep showing us the cross section and keep challenging us and making us think.
THANKS!
M
so sorry that you had this unfortunate experience. A few years ago, I had a similar experience on a blog that I was writing. I was forced to add a filter to the comments. They still came and were very personal and painful. I eventually stopped blogging for several years.
I hope that people are more respectful in your case, and that you carry on with this important blog.
Just to clarify – I would never let anything like this stop me for continuing this blog. I LOVE working on this blog and contributing in whatever way i can to this amazing community.
Thank you all for your lovely and supportive comments.
And also to clarify – I wasn't the subject of the attacks, but I do feel that in a case like this we all are.
One other comment, I had a blogger last year leaving strange comments and my regular bloggers called them out on it, and that blogger censored him/herself. It was odd but interesting to see how the rest of the blog community handled it. At first I was going to take it down right away, but I was curious to see how it would play out. They went away never to be heard from again….
The thing is, if you are featuring other people on your blog and things are said about them, I think it is the responsible thing to do to take those comments down. It's one thing if it's a personal attack on the owner of the blog, quite another if it's a guest. Unless maybe if it's some sort of editorial that invites comments, then you open yourself up for all kinds of opinions!
In the spirit of fairness I will post some of the comments. But I refrain from any that included a personal attack.
I agree with you Tracey that often the community will sort itself out and it is with that in mind that I share them with you for comment.
The Best Critic Alive has left a new comment on your post "We need to talk…":
My stated comments were not personal attacks but more as another example of what the 'institutional arts' are becoming in the 21st century. I apologize for offending you and the integrity of your blog.
—- NOW
Its ridiculous that mediocre, self-proclaimed artists are put in charge of educating the future generations in the arts. Professors are more concerned about their pools and a new mini van then they are about making art. Ive seen it time and time again and its disturbing. Tenure is a limpid concept that only makes already lazy artists even more lazy. These artists selfishly 'get a high' off the approval of their students and in turn have no need to make art. Why would you want to make something that someone might criticize and make you feel powerless again? NOT HAPPENING!!!
Why would you take a risk expanding your sanitized artistic abilities when you have a mortgage?
All these 'professors' at these little institues are interested in are being on faculty committees, attending their elitist cocktail parties, and attempting to tare the heart and soul out off the hot, raw talented 20 year old undergrad, who with one swoop, has done everything they couldn't.
Who's making money off of all these college 'art students' – Universities, Professors, Landlords, etc….
If a student (or his parents) are going to dish out 100 GRAND for an education then they deserve one!!!! Afterwords, when they have put all of this energy and time into creating art, they cant just go to the beach and smoke dope, they have to get a job at a fricken ice cream shop, while their 'professors' continue to enjoy their parties and undeserved $75,000 salaries.
GIVE ME A BREAK
Again just to clarify: the last comments about professors was NOT my comments.
Oh golly, don't they have anything better to do?????
My response:
I have studied ceramics in 2 different institutions, one in Canada and one in Australia. At both times I was eager to learn from the professors I had chosen to work with and respected the balance that they managed to create between the needs of the students, the needs of the department/committees that they worked for, and the needs of their own individual artists pursuits.
After grad school I had the opportunity to teach for a session at the college level. My respect for the demands of such a position grew (as did my sleepless nights trying to balance everything). Since that time I have been pursuing a career in clay that is focused on my personal practice, attempting to make this a viable, financial and rewarding on many levels – career. Do I miss teaching? Each and every day. I loved working with students and faculty. I love the community and environment of learning and exploration that exists. But I have come to realize that as much as I love teaching I love my artistic practice more. I have made a selfish decision to follow that path over the path of teaching. And I have made that decision with the respect of the generosity and sacrifice that is required of a professors.
Was my college experience perfect? Absolutely not. Where there times that I wished for more from my advisors? Yes. But looking at the larger picture showed that where there existed failings, there also exists a methodology of addressing students needs that created a confident, a challenge seeking, and personally driven artist. The community of ceramics supports each other, but only when you are willing to put in what you take out.
I believe, and it is my opinion that you create the life you want to have. We all have to make sacrifices and have mountains of challenges, personal, professional to overcome.
Sure success is difficult to achieve, but it is also harder to define. Is success only measured in finances? In exposure? I like to find successes in small goals achieved. Would I like to be an art superstar? Who wouldn't but having the respect of a few is greater than the temporal admiration of the masses.
as shakespeare would say… "methinks the lady doth protest too much", it sounds like it's probably a guy but that's the quote. i say, censor away… it's your blog and you present a persona, if you will, of professionalism, love of ceramics, admiration for the entire spectrum of work, etc. and there is no need to include any dingdong that happens to take the time to rant. i get some weird comments now and then but when you consider how many comments have been made, the strange or unacceptable ones really are few and far between. all that being said, i'm sure a reasonable debate could occur about tenure and like any system, it's open to corruption. unfortunately, universities without tenure would most likely become corrupted in a totally different, and to some, unforseen way. i'm not sure of the effectiveness of college profs constantly running everything they make or do through a "will this cause me to lose my job?" filter. more than likely your ranting commenter would have a similar rant if we had no tenure only it would be the opposite to what it is now. regardless, it's your blog and we love it without whatever you see as unfit.
Your blog is one I check daily – I'm amazed by your generosity, putting so much time and work into this site and have been meaning to email thanking you. I rarely looked at comments unless I felt more information might be available; to find out people are using that feature to voice opinions (I saw nothing fact-based in that rant) is an odd use of such a helpful blog. Commenters like that must need a platform; perhaps we can encourage them to start their own blogs and blast away there. Thank you again for the great service you give – I pass the information on, and though I may not comment often, my thanks and good wishes are sent daily – naomi
Excellent response Carole. Your integrity shines through. Seems like "The Best Art Critic Alive" is eating sour grapes.
Excellent response Carole. Your integrity and sense of fairness shines through. Perhaps "The Best Art Critic Alive" is eating sour grapes.
Totally in support of this. People are at different levels in their development. Many do not realize the risk it takes to put ones self out there and the risk one takes to be totally honest with themselves in expressing their art. Open support of assisting people to move to the next level is needed by all. Vicki Hardin
Carole, you were fortunate to have great professors.
This person has a valid opinion that does apply in "certain" situations. The blanket generalizing may not be appropriate, however it is as valid and existent as the pots that anyone creates.
I do not believe in censorship of the arts period.
… just my honest opinion
Carole, I support you in your efforts to present a civil discussion.
Personal attacks and broad generalizations are counter-productive and thoroughly unpleasant.
I am not a college teacher, but I found those generalizations to be mean- spirited and not likely to provoke a meaningful conversation.
I'm hoping that TBCA has some positive experiences in his future to moderate his cynicism and rancor.
I would have been just as happy not to have read his diatribe.
Thank you for your blog- it is most informative.
Carol
Oh, I just couldn't resists. Nothing like a good Monday morning rant. Must say as much as the Negative Nancy (who has a dash of bitterness) has really struck a nerve, which has caused a really interesting discussion.
I am temped to think the person who created this is acting as the antagonizer, possibly just to see what kind of response they can generate, but in rereading their response I decided no. Not sure what the cause of this attitude is from, are they the "raw talented undergrad?" Hummm? maybe they themselves are an instructor in academia? or maybe a full time artist? I guess that is besides the point.
We meet people who see the world this way. It is easy to fall into the dark side, being an artist is not for the weak, you must persevere. In the big picture life is what you make of it, school is what you make of it, especially art school. There will be people who are helpful, and some who are not so helpful. But to generalize Academia in the way this person has done is in my opinion ignorance. And an artist who has to work at an ice cream shop to make ends meet (and get all the free ice cream they want) and who continues to make their art should be happy.
You live in Canada. You went to school. On that bases alone I wonder how all of this negative, bitter energy can be justified? maybe put that energy into making art?
You can never say never, one day you could wake up and be the mini van driving, cocktail partying, $75,000 money maker, who gives students nightmares.
Love it! Thanks for your Blog Carol, I am your # 1 Fan! (after reading this #1 fan sounds creepy)
Xanthe
PS: Throughout my undergraduate and graduate school experiences I NEVER received positive feedback, it was always challenging tuff love. I am a better artist for it. 🙂
PPS: That Koi Neng Liew is quite the Rabbit Man.
As the person who's work may have started all this, or at least who's work generated the initial comments I thought it might be appropriate that I say a few things.
First of all Carole did not end up censoring our friend "Best Art Critic Alive" comments about professors you can see those posted above. She did remove several comments about my work being terrible along with my artist statement that seemed to ultimately grow out of his/her frustration about my profession. This was done, I am sure, with my feelings in mind, along with her desire to moderate the kind of dialogue that exists on her blog. I don't think it is fair to insinuate that she in any way supports censoring the arts.
As for the comments on professors, while the statements above are clearly a bit Fox News/ uninformed, for my taste. They do bring up valid criticism of Art in Higher Education which could make for a valuable discussion. As in any profession there are good and bad examples. For the most part I am very fortunate and grateful for the job I have.
this…..person has never heard of the sword of Damacles, running a university department is a lot of responsibily, there's a price for everything. i have chosen to live from my work, but have the utmost respect for those at institutions who i know who give their working lives to keeping things running so that students can learn, your blogger is showing his own mediocrity by not facing up to the fact that learning from an art school is a two way thing.
Hi Carole,
Well, in response to the critic:
I've been teaching at the university level since 1999 at three (very good) institutions. I make less than $75k, don't have a pool (and don't know any profs with the time for one), and my minivan is a 2003. I've never been to a faculty cocktail party, and if you know anything about university life, you'd know good profs will do about anything to get out of committee meetings.
When I have a few hours off teaching, challenging, and encouraging my students, I work as hard as I can in my studio. I don't ever try to rip their hearts out; quite to the contrary, I sometimes serve as a confidant and councillor. There's a box of tissue on my desk for those sessions.
Tenure is a funny thing, you know, a 'job for life.' What you may not know is that there is a seven year probationary period wherein a professor may be let go for just about any reason. The tenure application process is long and difficult, and a negative review often results in the loss of a job. After tenure, a professor is free to do as s/he wishes, but anyone wishing a promotion must submit a huge package for review again after a seven year wait. If one fails to be promoted, often one must wait another seven years before being allowed to apply again.
I think if the 'critic' has (or had) such a horrible experience at university, he ought to transfer and write a signed letter to his administration. He also ought to come out to his audience here rather than continuing to post as an anonymous coward.
Thank you,
Steve Grimmer
University of Manitoba
To the "best critic" I am not posting your comments. I will not because you have yet to identity yourself, and hiding behind a blocked user name is unacceptable. Beyond that I have no desire to encourage more negativity in the world, here or elsewhere. I would appreciate that either a) you stop sending me comments, or b) find another venue to present your negativity. I am not censoring the arts and I annoyed at the implication. I am censoring wining and negativity. Period.
Hello Posters Good and one Bad,
Too bad I missed the last round of negativity before it got removed..I likes me a good row once in awhile.
That said, I too, like Mr. Grimmer, have served many a year at fine institutions both academic and non-academic. Now I live on an island and teach classes to the non-credit crowd who makes some damn fine work (all A's to everyone on Gabe).
I recently found myself backed into a corner, or my show space at the Out of Hand Craft Fair in Victoria by an equally annoying critic who chastised me for using the word "academic." This came about after he inquired about my future intentions at such crafts fairs and I told him that this was really my first one as I had recently left my life spent largely in "academics." Holy hackles went up and what was I to say if I wasn't allowed a word in edgewise? So, I listened and listened and steered the conversation away from my booth so that people would keep on buying my wares, but in the end, it was no use..This person had made up their mind and I was going to be WRONG…now and forever more.
Uh, this world is full of choices..some expensive, some cheap, some a little heady, some a little more basic, and yes, some of those choices come with credits, and some not.
I have had teaching and learning experiences good and bad as a result of the choices I've made…lucky for me, mostly enriching, expanding good ones. I learned how to teach by the hand of both great and lousy teachers as observation is how I learn best. And over the years I've cried on many a prof's shoulders…the good ones do have tissue, I agree Steve. One such Prof, Kirk Mangus, had great words with which he ushered us out the door at the end of our MFA's (I am sure you would refer to that Best Critic as Masters of Fuck All..) Anyhoo, he told us that, " I am not responsible for your successes or your failures, and should you become more successful than me I will not be envious." I gotta say that ALL of my most impressionable profs have carried that same mentality and look at me now! I gave up the whole academic thing…at least for the time being.
Life is about learning Best Critic. Don't shut yourself out of the great opportunity called education no matter what form it comes knocking in. Ignorance is for sure the biggest waste of time there is.
Thanks for sharing this blog with us Carole. I know everyone thinks that ceramics people are the happies, pot smoking, Dave Matthews and Phish fans all around, but this gal's got bigger fish to fry.
Mariko
as a daughter of a university professor, friend of many professors, and graduate of Alfred University I would assume that this individual leaving ridiculous comments is –
a. a flat out troll.
b. someone who was kicked out of art school.
c. someone who was denied entrance into art school.
the majority of my professor friends are incredibly overworked and certainly can't afford, "pools and a new mini van." True I've witnessed "art star" professors acting in ways that they couldn't get away with most other places but they are in no way rolling in the cash and they do truly care about providing an excellent education even if they go about it in a circuitous way.
Censor away. It's your blog. If anything you have more readers now because of this. I saw this posted on facebook and will now follow you!
Hi Carole
"the Critic" has certainly attracted a lot of attention, which, it sounds, is likely what he craves. At any rate, it looks like he has also got a bunch of people, including myself, reading more and commenting on your blog. I for one would just like to say Thank You! for creating and maintaining it. I don't know how you find the time, but it's a great resource and a forum for ideas and opinions, concurrent or otherwise. Thanks again!
Many thanks to everyone who has commented here, or by email or on facebook. There is so much love and support in this community. I'm just so honored and happy to play a small role.
Thanks and hugs to everyone!