The Rocky Mountain PBS Arts District story on Tania aired January 9, 2015 highlighting artwork both old and new. Tania’s new body of work, Anthropocene can be viewed on her website or at her pop up gallery at 308 E. Hopkins in Aspen until March 31, 2015 open daily from 10a-10p.
Artwork from the Anthropocene series discussed in the video
6 Comments
I really appreciated your interview on Arts District. You gave me a geniuinely validating moment. I’m an art supplies collector who sometimes does something with them. I’m also a science person with a tendency to overthink actions. I don’t naturally share deep thoughts often, but I got the nerve to do so at a friends art showing several years ago. It was decidely the wrong venue, but I blurted out, “don’t you sometimes deconstruct making art to the point that the process and material use starts to feel self indulgent and absurd?” He’s a talented and dedicated artist and he gave me such a confused look and then said, “no.” I’m terribly insecure about doing art anyway and it seemed like confirmation, that I don’t belong as an artist. Your comments about your thoughts of deconstructing skiing and art gave me a feeling that having doubts may not mean I don’t belong as an artist. The comments about starting work were also heartening. Thank you so much for your candor.
Bethany, those thoughts you are having like “don’t you sometimes deconstruct making art to the point that the process and material use starts to feel self indulgent and absurd?” mean you actually are a real artist. I think artists, wether professional or not, are the types to always question, overthink, see from new angles, and not automatically swallow the status quo. It is ironic that you said it felt like confirmation that you “don’t belong as an artist.” You might as well get used to feeling like you don’t belong sooner rather than later! That comes with the territory. Practice not reacting to those sensations.
I cannot help but deconstruct art. That is probably why I tend towards making art about more universal themes. One of the categories on my website is called “metanarrative” for that reason. The endless navel gazing of so much contemporary art often seems absurd and boring to me, like the friend who goes on and on about the fascinating gurgles their baby made this morning. That doesn’t make it wrong, it just doesn’t do it for me. It is really challenging to be an artist and to think about “the art world” at the same time, but don’t confuse the two. I am not saying you should be uninformed, I am saying you should value your own thoughts and opinions. I think your comment is very relevant for a lot of people and I thank you for posting it.
Bethany’s thoughts about Tania’s candor are particularly on point. I’ve known Tania for well over twenty years and candor is central to who she is and to her art and to my friendship with her.
Bethany said, “having doubts may not mean I don’t belong as an artist.” Definitely! I don’t know any artist who doesn’t have doubts. Certainly, I have lots of doubts when I’m painting. But occasionally, there are magic moments when they fall away. Tania said it well when she described the voices finally quieting down, and being satisfied “when you’re not wondering where you’re going, and you’re just doing.” It’s true with painting and skiing and so many of those particular things each of us does well. It’s an enchanting groove or zone we sometimes find, which may be the essence of art in any form. It may be the oneness to which spiritual teachers refer. Spirit and art are part of a whole.
well said Michael
very insightful. and interesting to hear and see the artiste at work in her studio and to know of her own apprehensions while in the process of creating.
especially like accumulation and new nature and anthropocene.
great work!
Thanks Paul!