Calligraphy & Art Interpertation
The questions I have been asking myself lately have fallen in the category of: Why does someone like a piece of art? What draws them to the piece? Why would they buy and hang a piece of art on their wall? These questions got me thinking about content. A single piece of art can have different meanings to different people. That’s what makes art so interesting and special. The human mind interprets images in many ways. Those images can be so dynamic for some that it sets off waves of emotion which, either good or bad, resonates with the psyche, perhaps bringing up long forgotten memories, or even simply establishing a feeling.
Calligraphic artists face a quandary related to content. The art itself, when executed properly, can have the same multi-channel effect. It can set off waves of emotion, bring up good or bad memories, and in general let the viewer invest in the image.
When lettering is added to the art, it becomes very static because letterforms, in their essence, deliver a particular message. Humans communicate through language and alphabets allow that communication to be delivered on a written page. And while no one is a master of language, alphabets supply a very real and concise communication venue. Hence, by incorporating lettering into a piece of art, you have revealed that you want the viewer to receive a particular message. Even if the lettering is subservient to the image, the viewer will still read the message and this will color their interpretation of the art. In order to allow the viewer full freedom in how they interpret the art, lettering cannot be included.
There are calligraphic artists that have pushed the “making marks” idea to an extreme. The lettering that is placed on the paper cannot be read. The lettering becomes the image and the viewer is free to interpret the image within their own experience and ideals. But in the end, calligraphers produce letterforms, which have been produced for a particular style of communication. They produce these letterforms because they enjoy producing them. The style and grace of, say, the Copperplate letterform has its own intrinsic beauty which is enjoyed by many calligraphers as well as non-calligraphers. The discipline and patience needed to produce fine calligraphy is a draw for many.
In my art, I have tried to balance letter and image, so that a distinct message is given to the viewer. If that message is not to their liking, chances are they won’t take it home and hang it on their wall. Recently, I have become more aware that by incorporating lettering with the image, I have (inadvertently) channeled the viewer’s artistic freedom into a venue of my own making. Lettering produces a very real message that is really not open to multiple interpretations, so if you want to have your art to express infinite expression to infinite people, you cannot weigh it down with letterforms of any kind.