15/08/2008

What is the difference ?


Between Craft and Art ? I know, and this is it. A craftsman works in one tradition, achieving perfection through skill and artifice. An artist works with whatever is available and does the best he can. I'm not a craftsman, although my work may be well crafted. I see equal value in form and content, and believe a work must have at least enough of each, to achieve the basic objective. To satisfy this premise, “a good work of art needs only to simultaneously stimulate and relax the mind” - Charles Murray Chaplin. And so, I present this piece, an organic exploration, carved by my hand using diamonds and water, in mushroom green adventurine quartz. This work represents the mythological synthesis of sexuality, an hermaphrodite*. Like some strange creature living beneath the sea, neither animal nor vegetable, but something like both. This work provides gentle humour and fascination to some who pick it up, while perplexing, and disturbing those inhibited or weak of mind. This sculpture was collected by my excellent friend Melanie Carlson, who uses it as litmus test, to gauge compatibility of humour.
*It seems the term “hermaphrodite”, when applied to people, is both inaccurate and offensive. For persons who live in the physiological spectrum between genders, the correct term is “intersex”. Although these persons would probably prefer to be called by their actual names.

photo credit: Peter Lattimer
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats

4 comments:

Malcolm Douglas Chaplin said...

Not to be confused with "pecker-tent". That early morning event that can be either entertaining or embarassing depending on your situatuion. Cheers, nice carving.

Dougie

Robert Chaplin rca said...

thanks Bro :)

Hobo Divine said...

Craft is the sound of two hands clapping...
Art is the sound of one hand clapping.

I learned this from TV.

Wonderful sculpture!

Robert Chaplin rca said...

Thanks Amigo !