Inspirationism nowadays

[Artisticself]

Hello!

Just wanted to start a thread about this movement that is evolving nicely now, with digital representation aswell...

How do you like the Inspirationism nowadays? It is even affecting game industry.


Peace =)

[Anid Maro]

Well, I looked up "Inspirationism art" at Wikipedia and what I got from that is that it's a bunch of pretentious bullshit written by a pretentious jackass who is so stuck up that the "21st" century isn't good enough so he had to write it as the "XXI" century.

Presuming that what I read isn't representative of inspirationism, perhaps you could provide an explanation of what "Inspirationism" is for those of us who are uninitiated. Particularly I'd like to know what inspirationism is in the context of visual art. And then, if you would, could you show how exactly it is affecting the game industry?

Oh, and welcome to CA.org!

[Artisticself]

Hey Anid, thanks for the welcome. : )


I looked up at the wiki site and, yes, it is quite pretentious description... well, I find another movements a little pretentious aswell hehe

Inspirationism in visual art really began in end of 20th century mediterranean as described in wiki but it was almost ignored since it didnt lived to the inspirationist concept... well... it is a concept so great that just few artists like Michealangelo could live up to that.

Inspirationism is an expression beyond, it is like a type of perfection done in many ways. To do that the artist would need to sacrifice the "personal touch" for it to go beyond to another level.

I like to call it "super art" hehe but I see that there is really something going on now envolving that in digital, the possibility of doing colors that were impossible in regular painting, amazing quality... in game that is possible now with such a great development in technology, some final fantasy games express some of that, but is really just a start.

for me, inspirationism would be like a good dream expressed, and inside that have a great message or something to think about.

I love this concept anyways. =)

[Stoat]

Anid Maro made me hork Coca Cola up my nasal passages.

I had a poke around the web, too. Looks like a weird mish-mash of vague religion, classical imagery and New Age hooey.

[Artisticself]

Hey Stoat, you are mixing everything in there lol

There is the concept of it, the historical part and the expression of it... there is no mix of putting it all together... but it all follow the concept of going beyond of what is regularly achieved...

[t0po.inc]

...I don't get it. D:

[deepbluehue]

Could you please post a picture that exemplifies Inspiration-ism so that we will understand what you mean?

[Artisticself]

Hey Deep

yes, I think that this one pretty much sums it =)

ignore the era it was made, just look at how much this vision tells

This would be an apex of Inspirationism expressed...

[deepbluehue]

I agree that Michelangelo's paintings represent an apex of artistic ability. Michelangelo was a good storyteller and consummate draftsman.

[saa]

Gosh, I guess this thread will get even more interesting soon..

For me "Inspirationism" is absolutely not an artist-point of view. There surely are people who are into such things but certainly not serious artists.

[Artisticself]

yeah saa...

The thing I search in art is really this "not-artist", or even philosophic, point of view expressed in form of art. Truth is that the artist that achieve this gets much more than an artist title, in my point of view.

For me is like the ultimate goal for any artist, really.

[Elwell]

It is even affecting game industry.


I expect its impact on the game industry is comparable to its impact in any other sphere.

[Anid Maro]

Thanks for your response Artisticself.

Correct me if I've got this wrong, but from what you say and the example you posted it would seem inspirationism is about conveying a concept/idea/feeling beyond just the literal depiction of the image (in the case of visual arts). To steal a quote it is in essence about how "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts".

Taking Michalangelo's fresco, technically all it depicts is some young dude and some older dude touching fingers. However it's not just merely that, there's a more profound concept at heart than a couple guys doing a finger dance.

That's somewhat interesting. I certainly agree there could be a great impact on video games for that, but there are also games where they are exactly what they seem. For example one might look at a game like Virtua Fighter where it is exactly what it looks like and nothing else, whereas a game like Metal Gear Solid gives an experience deeper than what you see at the surface.

But some of this is still a bit vague. If an inspirationist artwork is to give you something beyond the sum of its parts, is that something supposed to be a specific thing as dictated by the artist? Or is it something interperative depending on the viewer? And are there any definitions of what this something ought to be? Should it be something that is otherwise undepictable, or something that could be depicted literally?

[Artisticself]

thanks for this great reply Anid :)

As far as I can see, when there is so much greatness in a work, many great meanings arise... The fact that the viewer can get it all depends on the viewer, since even artists get surprised when their work is exposed by a different view...

You got a great question there in the end... for me, that Michaelangelo painting is very literal, but for some people it might not be. If you analyze it all you can have such a great vision of the artist... It is painted in a very high location on a place which people go to have contact with what is greater and higher than them... and the vision express it all in its context, and express everything within it at the same time! That visionh is literally greater than the image itself because it symbolize a concept and the place you are standing in looking up for an answer.

So, if this kind of art, when expressed "literally" is so great, imagine when is not literal.. You got to build so much within you just to learn how to identify and appreciate what is "not literal"! =)

I am learning now to start appreciating what is not literal, and that is why I posted it here, just to know how everyone is understanding this approach taken recently... There is a lot of things appearing out there in art (painting/digital/games) which are not just pretty, there is more to it... normally we cant even see it!

That's why I like it so much.

:)

[t0po.inc]

It's that called "symbolism"? :/

I still don't get it.

[Zaxser]

It's that called "symbolism"? :/

I still don't get it.

I'm chalking it up to summer influx.

[Artisticself]

t0po... restricting it to just "symbolism" is like calling Socratic philosophy dialogues of an old diary of gossips! lol

Symbols can represent what is great, but can also represent what is just trivial and superficial... Not many artists can focus their work on what is greater than themselves...

Inspirationism calls for greater meaning, something that you must go beyond regular apreciation, you really must look and think about it in so many ways that might cause a change on you, it all depends on the viewer when something is not literal... the final limitation is on the viewer side and the artist that wants to take that approach normally give a "hint" on where to start to analyze so that your eyes don´t wander off the work faster than it was supposed to be : )

[J Wilson]

Sounds to me like what I expected it to be... vaguely religious or spiritual art. Which of course is nothing new. I see nothing particularly interesting or unique in this "movement", because to me it is focusing on something that many other art movements had without making such a big deal about it.

Maybe I'm just not getting what the original poster is trying to get at. It just sounds to me like artists getting "high on God (or spirituality)" and then painting.

[Stoat]

Well, I think we have a language problem with the original poster, which is why I backed off the smartassery. Not cool poking fun at people struggling to communicate in a foreign language.

But from poking around the web, I'm not seeing anything in Inspirationism but the usual vague New Age hooey.

[Artisticself]

well.. it is not my duty to show off everything that is being done about it all around, I would just like to tell people to look further into what they see nowadays because the concepts are being applied, that is all...

[chaosrocks]

artisiticself

it might be a more interesting discussion if you defined what you mean by inspirationalism. Im not getting a clear picture of anything. Oh I believe you have one but you haven't communicated it yet.

it's no tyour "duty" but if you want an actual discussion it helps to define what you are discussing.

[Artisticself]

hey Chaosrocks... yes, I guess that you are right...

Inspirationism is a very deep concept, it is really difficult to try to capture it at once or define it in a very clear way, since it can be applied purely as a principle.

The principle is going beyond of what the eyes can see, not just plain symbolism, it is not just finding an interpretation, it is a fact inside the work that is very essential, like finding a truth in there and that truth causes changes not just on how you understand the artwork, but how you understand life...

It is the type of art that you would need to look at it for years, thinking about it, just to know part of it... that is true Inspirationism... it requires a lot from the viewer.

[Seedling]

I assure you, Artisticself, that such masterbatory art ideas do not make it in the door of game companies. We have key-cards to keep that sort of drivel locked outside of the building.

[waranghira]

hey Chaosrocks... yes, I guess that you are right...

Inspirationism is a very deep concept, it is really difficult to try to capture it at once or define it in a very clear way, since it can be applied purely as a principle.

The principle is going beyond of what the eyes can see, not just plain symbolism, it is not just finding an interpretation, it is a fact inside the work that is very essential, like finding a truth in there and that truth causes changes not just on how you understand the artwork, but how you understand life...

It is the type of art that you would need to look at it for years, thinking about it, just to know part of it... that is true Inspirationism... it requires a lot from the viewer.

oh now I get it.
It's like finding enlightenment even if the picture is just stick figures with cocks.

[Artisticself]

Seedling, if you take a close look on what is being released with concepts called "new", or "innovative", in game industry maybe you will notice it, or maybe you will go unnoticed about that.

I will give you a hint, they are no violence based games and there is no competition in its objectives.


waranghira,
Let's say that this art can bring you inspiration without the disturbing view.

[Seedling]

I work in the games industry, Artisticself. :)

[Artisticself]

But you don´t do research about the new releases of other companies seedling?

[Seedling]

You think I don't?

[Artisticself]

Well, since it is just starting maybe you missed it, since it all starts quite little... not huge budget games.

[Seedling]

Lots of this start little. . . and then die. There's no point paying attention to them until they get bigger.

This one won't make it past the sprout stage.

[Artisticself]

Well, it is just a matter of time... I see projects growing.

[Stoat]

Can you point to any?

[Artisticself]

We can start with very little games that can originate others... they are not as great as the concept yet, but they are opening some doors...


to mention a puzzle game... It is just starting but if you watch closely it tells you things which are beyond a simple puzzle.

[J Wilson]

I believe anyone could find the same "depth" in nearly any painting from what you describe, because it sounds a lot to me like just simple meditation, but while looking at art. If all of this is coming from within, the art is just a prop.

Some artists may put in layers of meaning, but if you are literally spending years reflecting on a piece of art and continually pulling out new concepts, then I think you are reading waaaaaay more into it than the artist put into it. This is nothing new though. We each come to understand our lives through whatever medium we choose. Musashi wrote in his Book of Five Rings that we all discover truths in our own Way. He followed a Way of the Sword, and he found it's lessons could be applied to construction, art, writing, etc. My point being that if you reflect on anything long enough you will see certain "truths."

As an example: Art. Good artists learn to start with the general and refine down to the specific. You include more attention and focus where it's needed, and in other areas you are free to simply imply things. You could convert this into a truth about life, where it's best to tackle each thing in turn, starting with solving your biggest problems and then working down to smaller more specific problems. If you don't solve your bigger issues first you'll often find that all the work you spent on those other issues has been in vain. You can also say that it's important to stay focused on the important issues, and let the other things fade into the background, as they are ultimately of little importance.

See what I did there? You can really do that with ANYTHING. As Musashi said, each have their own Way, and when you become a Master at anything you find that those lessons mastered apply in all things. Those lessons don't really come from the various arts though, they come from within, and this art you are so enamored with, in my opinion, doesn't do anything special or different except this is what you've decided to pull your own lessons from. If you had decided to do this with cartoons you'd probably have come up with something very similar to "The Tao of Pooh"

[Stoat]

Hm. Echochrome. I got the overview from Wikipedia. I'll look at some screenshots when I get home (game sites are blocked from work).

I've got a PSP I've been underusing lately...

[deepbluehue]

hey Chaosrocks... yes, I guess that you are right...

Inspirationism is a very deep concept, it is really difficult to try to capture it at once or define it in a very clear way, since it can be applied purely as a principle.

The principle is going beyond of what the eyes can see, not just plain symbolism, it is not just finding an interpretation, it is a fact inside the work that is very essential, like finding a truth in there and that truth causes changes not just on how you understand the artwork, but how you understand life...

It is the type of art that you would need to look at it for years, thinking about it, just to know part of it... that is true Inspirationism... it requires a lot from the viewer.

Like a mandala?

[t0po.inc]

Now, I'm not trying to be rude, but it sounds like a cult denomination to me that's over complicating and putting a lot of emphasis on "inspiration".

I'm sure there have been instances when a person sees a piece of art, may it be music, a painting, or a piece of artwork, and it moves them so much, they do something drastic like leave their family and join a circus, but I'm not sure if these things can be formulated or called a "movement".

I guess my next question is if you're following this from a religious standpoint or just as an innocent bystander.
To me, it seems like a huge acid trip that's taking the focus away from God and the Bible while putting more emphasis on being inspired by worldly things.

Woodstock died back in the 70's. D:

[Artisticself]

J Wilson, I enjoyed reading your post.

But I still hold to an idea that the Inspirationist artist can push the viewer to see beyond the art. It is really appliable to anything... The question is... How artists nowadays are becoming capable of enticing the search for truth within their work ? To welcome the viewer/public inside the truth they want to expose by living the art?

I will quote you here in this passage:

"...If you don't solve your bigger issues first you'll often find that all the work you spent on those other issues has been in vain. You can also say that it's important to stay focused on the important issues, and let the other things fade into the background, as they are ultimately of little importance."

This part I really enjoyed... It suddenly reminded me of the game, if you look at it on the paths to your objective in life, as an example... it shows that in some parts you need to jump to another path, even if that path has visible difficulties and you will need to face them... once you jump to that path you can learn how to overcome that smaller problem, but first you might need to jump to see the smaller problem closely before trying to solve it, or just letting it fade on the background because they were ultimately of little importance, as you said : )

[Artisticself]

hey t0po,

actually, i think is a good thing to find the truth within things, think a lot about them... I really do give value to artists that can do that in whatever media they use... I am not focusing God because I think that before trying to understand God and everything else, we must understand ourselves... and everybody, including atheists would benefit understanding themselves... but if you want to focus just God it is ok, I just think that for general people is equal importance to know them first before going to a concept as big as God straight away

[Elwell]

one star

[t0po.inc]

hey t0po,

actually, i think is a good thing to find the truth within things, think a lot about them... I really do give value to artists that can do that in whatever media they use... I am not focusing God because I think that before trying to understand God and everything else, we must understand ourselves... and everybody, including atheists would benefit understanding themselves... but if you want to focus just God it is ok, I just think that for general people is equal importance to know them first before going to a concept as big as God straight away

At the same time, I can say that you truly find yourself through God. D:

But ok, not looking for an argument or anything, just wanted to know about your stand point. o 3o

[Artisticself]

Stoat
I guess that they even have a demo of the game on the web

deepbluehue
Mandala would fit in the "non literal"... great complexity there! i don´t know if we are ready for that yet, really lol

[Seedling]

I guess my next question is if you're following this from a religious standpoint or just as an innocent bystander.
To me, it seems like a huge acid trip that's taking the focus away from God and the Bible . . .

Hooboy, one nutty idea has attracted another! I'm getting out of here while I have a shred of sanity left.

[Artisticself]

You better not play the game then Seedling lol, your problems in there are just a matter of perspective...the way you see them.. ; )

[arttorney]

The summary definition I just found:
inspirationism
adherence to a theory or doctrine of divine influence, inspiration, or revelation, especially concerning the Scriptures.

does not make me think of video games much. If a bunch of monsters are shooting at me or trying to eat my head it's a little closer to an artistic movement I have thought about starting myself called Desperationism. I think in view of the economy the time is right for me to paint up a few of the Desperationist works that I have long envisioned (although it wasn't until just now I thought up this name for the movement so I thank you for that).

[Artisticself]

arttorney, you wrote the original description of the word, there is the expression of it through art, which is directly related to it...

please read the entire thread... it has nothing to do with the popular games you know, it is the new concept starting to drive some games with a different focus, and real art is not about the money, it is what you add to the others through your work. Inspirationism is about bringing a revelation inside oneself, not just a portray of whatever you see around without bringing any meaning to add to others.

[Anid Maro]

Just a quick note on vagueness and meaning...

If an artwork requires the viewers input in order to have meaning, then it probably wasn't meaningful in the first place. If an artwork is meaningful then, whether or not it's shown explicitly, the viewers will all come to the same conclusion without vagueness.

And this principal extends beyond art.

[Zombunny27]

As far as I can see, when there is so much greatness in a work, many great meanings arise... The fact that the viewer can get it all depends on the viewer, since even artists get surprised when their work is exposed by a different view...

:)

So essentially this sounds like a lottery that degrades the efforts of the artist and interpretation of the viewer.

I'd assume that most true artists strive to convey something. In that, it doesn't seem like that amazing a concept, besides the "divine" link. There will always be hit and miss. The whole concept is too vague especially with the mix of revelation. A work can simply be a trigger for something under the surface, not a cause or link. So where would such a work stand?

I probably don't understand the point, but I don't actually find myself motivated enough to look into it further.

[Jasonwclark]

Check out Plato's Ion (http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/ion.html) for more about this silly inspiration business (its been around for a while.) :)

Here's one of the more important passages in the dialogue, which has had a pretty wide ranging influence on subsequent theories of art/inspiration.


There is a divinity moving you, like that contained in the
stone which Euripides calls a magnet, but which is commonly known as the stone of Heraclea. This stone not only attracts iron rings, but also imparts to them a similar power of attracting other rings; and sometimes you may see a number of pieces of iron and rings suspended from one another so as to form quite a long chain: and all of them derive their power of suspension from the original stone. In like manner the Muse first of all inspires men herself; and from these inspired persons a chain of other persons is suspended, who take the inspiration.

So the Muse, communicating through all those whom she has first inspired, to all others capable of sharing in the inspiration, the influence of that first enthusiasm, creates a chain and a succession....



I really like that note on vagueness and meaning Anid.
You just clearly stated in two sentences, what I was trying to say in that other thread, after like four pages of rambling and taking it all over the place. I'm a big fan of brevity. ;)

[Artisticself]

Hey Anid, normally the artist gives a clue about what is to be given more focus and explore that, so it is not meaningless before. It is like a cave man trying to understand his body, he know it works, but does he know why? There was a meaning in the first place which the viewer didn't captured, but it is still there to be found. Not all viewers will come to the same conclusion because not everybody can see a deep meaning within a vision. The viewer really need to spend a long time thinking about it and analyzing a great work just to know everything that is in there....

That is beyond "regular" art, that is for sure.

[Artisticself]

Hadesdream
"A work can simply be a trigger for something under the surface"... you described well, but this concept really requires a ton of time and motivation to be "vaguely" understood.

Jasonwclark
I liked your quote a lot. I would be lying if I could said that an expressed principle like Inspirationism could be briefly explained and detailed with its "general characteristics to look for in painting" for example... Even more because this concept is better exemplified by the hands of geniuses, which have no regularly known identifiable pattern concerning their expression method.

[deepbluehue]

Bear with me, but those "genius" masters studied very very hard and weren't relying on diving intervention to create their works. They knew what they were doing.

[kev ferrara]

Opinion: I smell spam.

I think this whole thread is a veiled ad. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)

On the attempt to attach excess value to the works of "inspirationists" through the use of text... that's so 20th century. What value there is, is there to see. Text only impresses the rubes. Especially that the philosophy presented is weak tea indeed... It couldn't stain a paper towel.

Peace
kev

[arttorney]

You are begging the question:
"The viewer really need to spend a long time thinking about it and analyzing a great work just to know everything that is in there....

That is beyond "regular" art, that is for sure."

Of course if it's great work it is beyond regular work. That's why it's called great work.

The last time I played a video game I think it was that paperboy game they made for Commodore 64. I read your thread and saw no focus, hence the need to seek a definition. You wouldn't happen to be selling that game you are talking about, would you?

[Artisticself]

I will edit my posts that mentions the game since it was interpreted in a way that was not my goal, I am explaining an expression and a principle and just mentioned anything commercial because I was asked for it as an example.

deepbluehue
I did not mentioned divine intervention before, but now that you mentioned it would really improve the quality of some works.

kev ferrara
"What value there is, is there to see."
I agree with this sentence and I expect more of it.

arttorney
"The last time I played a video game I think it was that paperboy game they made for Commodore 64"
It is no problem, you can get a quick update on game industry just by searching the web.

[jhgoforth]

erm I hope it's nothing to do with this stuff: http://www.inspirationist.com/Questions-and-Answers.htm

Seriously, applying your 'view' of what art means onto someone else's work is the epitomy of 'bias' thinking. Just like being "Euro-centric" in studying cultures not of the Western cultures is a bad stance, viewing artwork through the lens of Inspirationism is just as pointlessly limiting in itself.

Michelangelo, to return to an example, was not an inspirationist. You may call his work that by today's standards if you like, but there was no such thing as the Inspirationism movement in his time. He worked for the Church because that was the people that would pay him and give him the means to create the works he wanted to. Marble doesn't fall out of the earth for free ya know. And being commissioned, he made works in the context of what he knew his 'employers' would want (granted he did indeed push the envelope in bring nudity to religious art at the level he produced, but that is another issue altogether).

When art is truly moved by a religious/spiritual/truth seeking motive, it is usually quite easy to spot. Especially in the artist's title of work and statement. Rarely do the works themselves of those actively seeking such things actually convey the intended message w/o such things in written form. If you took most of Michelangelo's work out of context, the images themselves (and you can do this by finding his sketches that planned his statues and paintings) will no longer hold the 'religious' nature that the 'finished' piece retains. Michelangelo was after 'truth' perhaps, in an abstract manner of seeking the 'body beautiful', but stretching it to that point is absurd. "Truth" is an arbitrary word that means different things to different people at many different points of their existence. It is all subjective.

[Anid Maro]

There was a meaning in the first place which the viewer didn't captured, but it is still there to be found. Not all viewers will come to the same conclusion because not everybody can see a deep meaning within a vision. The viewer really need to spend a long time thinking about it and analyzing a great work just to know everything that is in there....

Is it the fault of the viewer for not digging deep enough, or the fault of the artist for not burying shallow enough?

Yes deep analysis does take a lot of time, but why should one have to guess at what they're even supposed to analyze? Just being vague doesn't create depth.

If an artwork is deep then people will discuss their thoughts, feelings, interpretations, et cetera... about the idea(s) that they readily obtained from the artwork. If an artwork is meaningless then people won't even know what to discuss except their guesses at what the art is supposed to be.

For an example look at this thread. How much of this discussion has been regarding what we think about inspirationalism compared to wondering what inspirationalism even is?

[Artisticself]

jhgoforth,

No, it has nothing to do with the link.

"Michelangelo, to return to an example, was not an inspirationist. You may call his work that by today's standards if you like, but there was no such thing as the Inspirationism movement in his time. He worked for the Church because that was the people that would pay him and give him the means to create the works he wanted to. Marble doesn't fall out of the earth for free ya know. And being commissioned, he made works in the context of what he knew his 'employers' would want..."

Michaelangelo was an inspirationist in the expression of some works, yes. I am not talking about a timeline here, I am talking about the art itself, the content within regardless of time or period.

I agree that he survived out of art and the material given was important for his figures to exist as they do, but he went beyond on what he expressed, that is my point... Regardless on what his "employers" expected, he gave more.


"When art is truly moved by a religious/spiritual/truth seeking motive, it is usually quite easy to spot. Especially in the artist's title of work and statement. Rarely do the works themselves of those actively seeking such things actually convey the intended message w/o such things in written form. If you took most of Michelangelo's work out of context, the images themselves (and you can do this by finding his sketches that planned his statues and paintings) will no longer hold the 'religious' nature that the 'finished' piece retains. Michelangelo was after 'truth' perhaps, in an abstract manner of seeking the 'body beautiful', but stretching it to that point is absurd. "Truth" is an arbitrary word that means different things to different people at many different points of their existence. It is all subjective."

That is why you need to look at it until you find a truth that is, indeed "true", and not a trick of your perception. That "real truth" is what those artists aim for, and is subjective until you really perceive it. It can take years.


Hey Anid

"If an artwork is deep then people will discuss their thoughts, feelings, interpretations, et cetera... about the idea(s) that they readily obtained from the artwork. If an artwork is meaningless then people won't even know what to discuss except their guesses at what the art is supposed to be."

I agree with you, but normally people do not take everything that is within the work at first glance. They might contemplate it than dig it until they get to what the genious wanted to express, or just leave at the point that they think they had enough. I guess that the geniouses knows how to reward someone who looks deeply into things.


"For an example look at this thread. How much of this discussion has been regarding what we think about inspirationalism compared to wondering what inspirationalism even is?"

That is true, it takes a lot of time just to think about the principle... Is not as obvious and identifiable as other kinds of movement, like Cubism, which you can recognize by the forms and other patterns, directly perceivable before getting to the content of it... In this one the content is really what dictates the ultimate art.

[jhgoforth]

I'm sorry but you are merely playing the semantics games with twisting of words. Truth is subjective, much as beauty and spirituality. The value others put on an artist's work does not mean that was the value intended. It's a very wobbly ground to base any belief that is a projection of your own thoughts on to someone else or their work. The work might make you feel it has truth or some deeper meaning, while to the artist it might have been nothing more than an academic interest.

Couching your arguements in things like "it can take years" merely comes off as pretentious and vague. You are saying a lot of words that all in conjunction, say absolutely nothing whatsoever. Define what your 'inspirationalism' is. Without a definition, then how on earth can you call anything by that label? By the very nature of categorization, you must have a definition to fit things into it. Without such definition, you are merely 'farting in the wind' as the old people would say around here.

[Ian Mack]

You say that inspirationism is when you go for better than great. Isn't that also called idealism? And aren't all of us here on CA trying to become the best we can be(better than great-professional-awesome-whatever) so that we have all somehow found ourselves inspirationalists? Maybe we're motivationalists. We create artwork and post it which makes others create artwork. Hell, I'm going to start a new movement and call it motivationalism and put every artist into it. That michealangelo guy? mos def a motivationalist.

Sorry, I got a little sarcastic there but nonetheless, the entire movement seems to be all style and no substance. Almost like you're trying to put a blanket over the entire world. It stretches too thin and holes open up in it. You however, on the edge of the world holding the cloth, aren't aware...

[kev ferrara]

The lounge is full of fish... The hooks are in.... Let's see who ends up in the boat.

[Artisticself]

jhgoforth
I am not playing anything, if you don't understand what I say you may need to read it all again and think about it, because I understand what you say, and what you say is valid within your concept.

If what you said was valid in a larger concept then it would not be a personal concept, would be a greater concept than your concept, and that greater concept is what I search, not personal interpretations...

What you are looking for here you will not find if you look the way you are looking, just because I can say it to you and you can never see it... it is something that does not exist within your previous concepts and cannot be categorized the way you are thinking. And you cannot accept that. But believe me, I would like if you could allow yourself tounderstand it sometime, but it requires you to think a lot about it.

Ian Mack
Through Idealism you could get philosophic enough to become an inspirationist, but it is far off still...
well, I am not judging the effort of anyone and definately not putting every artist in this category, there is no concern about that... But I would really like to know more artists in this level.

"the entire movement seems to be all style and no substance"
That is totally opposite from what I said so far.
Look, I like criticism really, but please at least read it all before posting. There are some people here that added so much depth to the topic and you just missed.

[Elwell]

What you are looking for here you will not find if you look the way you are looking, just because I can say it to you and you can never see it... it is something that does not exist within your previous concepts and cannot be categorized the way you are thinking. And you cannot accept that. But believe me, I would like if you could allow yourself tounderstand it sometime, but it requires you to think a lot about it.

Wow, it sound like you've found the secret to drawing (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=57411).

[Stoat]

Dude, I have read EVERY SINGLE post in this thread, plus I've Googled around the web a bit, and I have NO EARTHLY idea what Inspirationism is.

It's things...that are bigger than those other things which are smaller. It's the whole which is larger than the sum of things that aren't quite the whole. It is moving forward...not backwards, not to the side, not forwards, but always whirling, whirling, whirling towards enlightenment.

Seriously, I've read more meaningful things in a fortune cookie.

[Artisticself]

Elwell
lol :)

Stoat
Since you mentioned before... take a look and grab the game demo and think a lot about the concept while you play, it would come to you sometime and you will understand a little bit about it that is not written. :)

[Stoat]

In other words, "I'm not going to tell you, you have to figure it out for yourself."

[Elwell]

Artisticself, are you yourself an artist?

[Artisticself]

Stoat, it might be just better! Face it as a reward of your effort trying to understanding... For me it was very worthy. :)

Elwell
I am always trying to be.

[arttorney]

Without directly answering, I can say that I critted a piece by him in the critique center yesterday.

[Stoat]

I dropped acid once.

Okay, maybe a few times.

[Artisticself]

arttorney
I appreciated your critic, by the way. :)

[Faxtar]

I just created my own art movement called Awesomeism, its like inspirationism but even deeper and its definition is even more vague. Great works in Awesomeism include the Sistine Chapel, the planet earth, and Evel Knievel.

[Ilaekae]

I've been contemplating my toenails now for four days...






The image I'm getting isn't improving, so I think I'm doing it wrong...






...

[Artisticself]

Faxtar
"I just created my own art movement called Awesomeism, its like inspirationism but even deeper and its definition is even more vague. Great works in Awesomeism include the Sistine Chapel, the planet earth, and Evel Knievel."

Well, you might need to spell it right before creating it, but I don't see much future in a movement based on teenager language moddism.

Actually, this topic is for those aspiring for serious art.


Ilaekae

"I've been contemplating my toenails now for four days...

The image I'm getting isn't improving, so I think I'm doing it wrong..."

You might start the right way contemplating "general art" first (personal expression without any intrinsic meaning within or any clue to it), then you can contemplate the human figure, then you get to symbolism and try to understand it... Then maybe you are able to identify Inspirationism.

And I don't mean in a way that you would really understand it, just be able to notice Inspirationism somewhere.

Did I meantioned that it takes a lot of effort?

[chaosrocks]

suggestion: if you are going to crit others' spelling. mind your own.

[Artisticself]

chaosrocks
Thanks for your contribution chaosrocks.

I don't like to be like this, but since just a few people are really making an effort to know about it, I need to be strict with those who do not want to add anything constructive. Why write something if it will not add anything? I see no point of it, it is just a waste of the person precious time... this time could be spent looking for something that resonates with what they really want instead.

[B u r l]

http://www.terminally-incoherent.com/img/facepalm.jpeg

[chaosrocks]

you have no power to "be strict" you're welcome to waste your time as you choose, so am I. This is not "your" thread, this is a public discussion on an open forum

i have read every word of your explanations. Iand I am not one whit clearer as to your meaning. I really believe that there is art without subtext and innermeaning. And it is a total tail chasing effort to attribute deeper meaning when there is none. I suppose people find enlightenment in all kinds of odd places. But in the persistent and perpetual search for deeper meaning one often misses the "here and now"

Im sure we all think ...a lot
but sometimes it's better just to "be" and accept that whicj is offered.

i might offer up "mindfullness" as an antidote to the jargon of "innermeaning"

and illaekae dearest.... if you wash and trim those toenails they might be kinder to you and provide inspiration.....

[Artisticself]

"... in the persistent and perpetual search for deeper meaning one often misses the "here and now"

well, I have to say that I am very impressed with this sentence. :)
Yes, you are right. In the end this is a little door to go a little steps beyond and keep always evolving, not just making...

I am glad that you understand what I was trying to say so far, and well, you wrote a great line there.

This is the greatness that I was talking about, the greatness in the line you wrote

"...in the persistent and perpetual search for deeper meaning one often misses the "here and now"

This is the kind of greatness that I look for, like this line. :)

[Stoat]

I don't like to be like this, but since just a few people are really making an effort to know about it, I need to be strict with those who do not want to add anything constructive.

Dude, are you for real? I don't know whether to laugh or...okay, yes I do. Laugh.

Lookit, everybody. Poke it right here and it squeaks!

[chaosrocks]

it's a direct quote from tich na han (how everyou spellit) and its totally from the like early 70s ..man. pass the.....on the left and side

ilae will remember... if he can remember... although they say if you remember you werent' there

[Artisticself]

lol Stoat, you was actually trying to understand it, why did you take that?

That was directed to the people that were just mocking it all...

I like you.

And ferrets also. :)

chaosrocks
I will look up for those quotes. There is something in there.

[Stoat]

I was trying to understand it on the first page. Now I've given up and I'm making fun.

But ferrets are cool. I'll give you that.

[Artisticself]

Stoat
:)

[chaosrocks]

try Kahlil gabran
and
Tich Nhat Han

and any random Buddhist master
not to mention generations of unitarian universalists
but we are no longer discussing art, but religion and philosophy...
I may move this to the lounge

[Ilaekae]

"You might start the right way contemplating "general art" first (personal expression without any intrinsic meaning within or any clue to it),"

...ummm...exactly how is this even possible?

"then you can contemplate the human figure,"

Done so, many times, and probably for a lot longer than you have, inside and out, including in terms of biomechanics, engineering, aesthetics, and metaphysics. I've even contemplated the body in terms of psychology/physical links/affects even in the sense of corruption, growth, and transcendence/evolution to another form. Exactly what haven't I done yet that would warrant the word "inspirationism" being used?

"then you get to symbolism and try to understand it..."

...he said to someone who has been both a literary, conceptual and visual surrealist since the age of 14, and spends most of his time wondering and trying to explain to himself why and where any given self-created image has come from, both in real-world and spiritual terms...

"Then maybe you are able to identify Inspirationism."

...well...I blew something somewhere...

"And I don't mean in a way that you would really understand it, just be able to notice Inspirationism somewhere."

Sorry...I'm not into NOT understanding anything. I'm not built that way. It's beginning to sound like you want me to notice litter without wondering about its cause...

"Did I meantioned that it takes a lot of effort?"

Apparently...is it easier with blinders on or off?

Artisticself, you posted a question on a specific topic which you initially failed to even attempt to describe, and after reading this entire thread four times, I'm not even sure you've done it yet.

The single example you showed is two guys playing finger games that has no meaning except to a specific religious viewpoint. Not sharing that religious viewpoint, I'm still confused, and as dumb as I can be on this forum, one thing I DO NOT DO is confuse easily.

That leads me to the belief, possibly unwarranted, that you have wrapped up a bunch of specific religious mythologies together and are trying to apply them to the real world view of the "uneducated to the real truth" peons out here, specifically in art, for some as yet unknown reason. If you want to talk about Gods and art, do so. If you want to talk about metaphysics or the "zen/whatever" of art, again, do so. Don't try to sneak in the back door like someone afraid of being shot on sight. It's very demeaning to both you and your audience who are sincerely trying to understand you.

Hopefully, this isn't taken offensively, but I just come to the conclusion, after working with the information presented here back and forth, that you are playing some kind of "one-up" game and enjoying yourself at our expense.

[kev ferrara]

Don't try to confuse us Confucius, everything is left to say. Not a trick of intrigue, amok, a mock turtle mocks turtles everywhere. That's what your soup is made of.

Enigmatism once again rears its obscurantist head, posing as content. At least bait your lines.

EDIT: Not directed toward you, nice kitty.

[Black Spot]

While art should not pander to the lowest common denominator, nor should it put itself above the average man in the street. By having art that is only understood by the elite few that declare themselves arbiters of taste is pretentious b*** s***. Art is to be enjoyed, even savoured without having know-it-alls talking down at them, sneering at their lack of art education and putting them off art for life. Try enjoying life and breathing in some fresh air before looking around.

[Artisticself]

Ilaekae
"Artisticself, you posted a question on a specific topic which you initially failed to even attempt to describe, and after reading this entire thread four times, I'm not even sure you've done it yet."

I explained it more than four times, and it was even exemplified by other people... It is good that you read some times but the trick is to read just a little part and think a lot about it, with all interpretations you can get... Then you will come to it. Really reading and assimilating the regular way doesn't apply.

Kev ferrara
"Enigmatism once again rears its obscurantist head"
There is no enigmatism, but in an obscurantist head.
So there is a block in the window, and you have to remove it to see what is outside.

Black Spot
I understand what you say, but the art that I am talking about serves well the lowest and highest. Of course there are nuances, it is difficult tocompare anything "made" to a concept that is set too high.

I agree that art is for all people, and people contemplate the way they like. I just want to explore the upcoming possibilities, "here and now" (like chaosrocks quoted) :)

[kev ferrara]

There is no enigmatism, but in an obscurantist head.
So there is a block in the window, and you have to remove it to see what is outside.

At first intellectual blush some words seem to have the force of reality. And grasping the words gives the young turk a feeling he is grasping the reality. And this fills him with fire. But words are oxygen and paper, that burn quickly and hot, soon powdered ashes that flit away on the wind.

Don't forget to draw more than you talk. Claiming to know all the answers just annoys those of us who question the questions.

Best
kev

[Ilaekae]

As I've said many many times...I'm just to damn ignorant and stupid to grasp some concepts. It took me 15 years of study to figure out how the four major elements made everything around me...

[jhgoforth]

@Artisticself

Seriously, it is semantic acrobatics. You have yet to define any part of your 'viewpoint' yet, even going to the extent of ignoring the fact that I asked you to. Without any sort of defining of the 'movement' of which no one can find any resources of, how can anyone verify all the smoke and mirrors? Call me when you decide to actually post something more than philosophical dodge ball. Keep chasing that dragon my friend. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anhW-rHFToI

[Artisticself]

kev ferrara
great words kev.
Long time I don't draw, good reminder.


Ilaekae
"It took me 15 years of study to figure out how the four major elements made everything around me..."

But you got it, that is the point.

jhgoforth
"You have yet to define any part of your 'viewpoint' yet."

I don't know if I have a viewpoint, or if it is really mine to have...

[Ilaekae]

"But you got it, that is the point."

Yeah, but it didn't make me right, did it?







:P

[waranghira]

While art should not pander to the lowest common denominator, nor should it put itself above the average man in the street. By having art that is only understood by the elite few that declare themselves arbiters of taste is pretentious b*** s***. Art is to be enjoyed, even savoured without having know-it-alls talking down at them, sneering at their lack of art education and putting them off art for life. Try enjoying life and breathing in some fresh air before looking around.

You can't always have everyone as your target audience.

[Ferdinand Venter]

"But you got it, that is the point."

Yeah, but it didn't make me right, did it?

:P

Lol...Ilaekae I love reading your posts. Anyway I got bored reading everything. This is all personal oppinion. People are individual, they learn and experience everything differently and that makes us human. My insperation is here and that is all that counts for me personally.

Just my 2cents

[Elwell]

"But you got it, that is the point."

Yeah, but it didn't make me right, did it?







:P
This is the very definition of "WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!!!!!!!!!"

[Black Spot]

You can't always have everyone as your target audience.

No, but you can't afford to be snobby either and I'm not talking about kitch.

[kev ferrara]

Anyway I got bored reading everything.

You think you're bored now? You should try reading this:

People are individual, they learn and experience everything differently and that makes us human. My insperation is here and that is all that counts for me personally.

Whew! That is some insight-free verbiage right there! Damn.