Tim Lefens Visit

I took Art for the Exceptional Child last semester, and it was here that I learned about the great things that Tim Lefens was doing. I know they had a hard time getting him to come but it finally happened and was a really enjoyable lecture to listen to. He was a very personable speaker and brought a great sense of energy to the podium. Some of the stories he told were really funny which made it easy to pay attention and take something useful from it all.

He began by explaining what inspired him to do art. The notion of limitlessness was his main aspiartaion. He quoted DiVinci saying "Body and spirit cohabitate against our wills, the body longs for the Earth, the spirit longs for the sky." I think by starting with this, we really know where his art comes from. He said that artist find real art only after letting go of themselves. I think this is so true, he was right in saying that not all fine art is good art.. only those artist who completely lose themselves in what they are doing, have potential to really impact viewers. He said that real art exceeds among the plateau, where there is a feeling of equality among artists, and strives to  ascend beyond that physical level. The best art speaks to the viewer... it hits home and evokes a strong sense of emotion. I agree with him fully on this idea. I'd like to think that some of my artwork does that for someone.
Lefens' belief that the conceptual aspects of art is not as important as the emotion that it evokes. If art has to be explained, it cannot be as powerful as just looking and knowing. For the making of it all, if it is planned it cant be as strong as losing oneself in the art-making and therefore making that ascend beyond the averages.

After religiously being taught to think of a "Big Idea" within my curriculum, I find Lefens' ideas are constrastive. The lessons we create start with a concept as to allow our students to create something with more meaning. But though students might not particularly grasp this idea, I feel like
 it may not be necessary for them to lose themselves within the making of the work. They want to do what is right, and what we, as teachers are looking for. Following a concept may or may not lead them into the art-making that Tim Lefens deems most note-worthy. In my own art-making, I try hard to think of a conceptual idea often, but sometimes... it just has to look nice. I might end up making something with no higher value to it, but it was the process of making that moved me most and if i like the result product, than it is deemed worthy of my own standards. So much attention is placed on being conceptual, especially at this school... but it is not the only way to produce something with meaning. It is, however a good way to motivate students to make something more meaningful which can result in the artist "losing themselves" in the art-making.


"If someone has to tell you it's art... it's not art."