critiques

[morgaina]

Studio still frozen, so I am painting underglazes on bisqueware again. The painting is going quite well. I hope the glaze firing doesn't screw anything up or it will be teh sad......or I don't screw the firing up.

This evening my potter's guild is having a critique. We are all going to bring some pics on CD show them, drink wine and well, critique them. I'm looking forward to it but a little nervous. I haven't participated in a real critique since college, lo these many years ago. Even during some summer courses since the instructor's comments were: "Where do you think you will go with this next?"

Which makes me wonder. Have SCA A&S people done anything like real critiques of the work? Not contest, Laurel tourney sorts of things, but getting together and taking turns giving comments, advise on each others work? With no one in the position of being an all wisdom judge-type person or a quivering student-type person. Or perhaps everyone being in those positions at the same time.

Comments

[ornerie.livejournal.com]

myu apprentices and I do this frequently (which is oen reason we're a good fit :))

it does lots of things:
1. real feedback without baggage
2. teaches us how to GIVE useful feedback
3. teaches us to TAKE feedback

its a good thing :)

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

Yes, and those things are not easy, so starting out in such a safe enviornment with ya'lls good relationship is wise.

I'd like to add that it:
4. trains people to have an objective and analytical eye about their own work.
5. helps us see aspects that, another eye provides. Sometimes real "ah-ha!" moments.

[countess-e.livejournal.com]

You bet we do critiques like that--all you have to do is run down somebody whose opinion and expertise you respect, when you both have time and are in the same place, and all the relevant stuff is available :-/ Not easy for anybody, and for you probably more than most, given geography and the number of other people in your field.

So this opportunity for critique ought to be a good one. Not to mention the wine.

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm sure it would work and could be beneficial, but not exactly the same thing as an organized critique.
I don't believe I've ever received a real critique in the SCA.
Geography, yes, geography

[hroar.livejournal.com]

I doubr i f they have..I have never seen such things happen. An dfrankly, they woudl benefit. But its not likly to happen.

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

I find the majority of judges really do try to be sensitive to people's feelings in the SCA, which is a good thing I suppose, they are in a safer environment and can enjoy themselves.
But as you know in colleges art schools, the wider art world it is quite different.

[aelfgyfu.livejournal.com]

I try to give a good critique when I judge, but I also temper it based on what I know the person can handle (or if I know them at all), since even well-worded critiques that are positive can get people's backs up. I have tried giving good critiques at displays, but there are usually so many people that it is hard to do so. I have never been in an art-school type critique situation in the SCA. If asked one on one I will try to give the same sort of feedback I would in a group critique, but of course it is just me, and I am not always right... ;-)

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

"since even well-worded critiques that are positive can get people's backs up."
This is sooooo true. We often have to do a quick psychological evaluation before commenting ;-)

I personally feel the need for another set of artistically knowledgeable eyes viewing my work right now. I wish I could talk to my 2 sons, they are so good with critiqueing my work. Looking at it objectively, but saying it kindly.

[aelfgyfu.livejournal.com]

Well, I will be at A&S... We could always set up an unofficial critique and dinner or something. Invite people who know how it is done. Bring (gasp) some modern stuff even as well as medieval.

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

That sounds good. We can make an announcement on LJ for other people who are interested.

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

Oh, by the way, have you heard back from the merchant coordinator for KAS? I heard back fairly recently.
It would be nice to have you as a neighbor there.

[aelfgyfu.livejournal.com]

I haven't herd back yet - you have contact info? I'd better check my junk mail folder just in case too.

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

I will email you their address.