I remember George Kubler and his Shape of Time (1962), required (suggested?) reading when I went to art school. Kubler was the art historian and archaeologist who described the history of art as a vast mining exercise with innumerable shafts, most of them closed down long ago. Each artist works on in the dark, guided only by the tunnels and shafts of earlier work. We arrive at our work on the continuum or series of works extending beyond us in either or both directions. When a specific temperament (edginess?) interlocks with a favourable position, the fortunate individual uncovers forward movement in the field. This achievement is sometimes denied to others as well as by others.

An artist can not/would not/should not paint the Mona Lisa in the 21st Century just as, hopefully, social scientists would not want to retreat to mid-20th Century “laboratory experiments” and studies that used college freshmen (sic) as guinea pigs. Both the artist and the social scientist are, first, recorders of the time in which they live and must reflect their place on a historical continuum of work. It may be painful at times to be where we are, but that is all we have. We cannot go back (and shouldn’t want to, either).

Kubler also pointed out that only a few make thrusts forward in a field, the rest fill in from behind. Both activities are necessary activities, so we shouldn’t be so quick to criticize those who would rather march in place than move the field forward.

In my own work, I get quickly bored and hate repetitive tasks. I think that my temperament is one that seeks out what is new/challenging.

Having turned my back on a career in art to pursue an academic path, it is only recently that I have realised that by assimilating one into the other that I would truly make a difference as well as quiet both sides of my heart. I have found a place in my work where I am quite content now. If only others wouldn’t find it so threatening to their own work, be it in forward moving efforts of their own or marching in place.

I respect anyone who chooses an alternative path, whether academic or artistic. There are days when I wish I just sold ties in a department store, however.

Cheers,
Kip