Empannage
Empannage (study)
Erbin DK
WwS by the Wall
New Installation on the Moon
Sculpture in 2d"
Somewhere in China
Somewhere near New York
Nike
Maple Coffee Table
Alight
Daughters of Zeus
Faldan II
Faldan II (alt. view)
Nike III (steel maquette)
Composite photo - a proposed installation
Nike III, alternate view
Woman with scarf (study view2)
Woman with scarf (study view 1)
Woman with Scarf (cardboard maquette)
Woman with scarf (initial sketch)
Woman with scarf (inspiration)
The Conversation
Soffiato
Promontory
Fenice
Fenice (detail)
Fall from the Wheel
Fall from the Wheel (detail)
Truss Table
I-Beam Bench
I-Beam Bench (detail)
Wilkinsburg Gateway Proposal
Deutschtown Mural
Installation: Deutschtown Mural
"The Feast"
"Kachelofen" At the University of Pittsburgh Swiss Nationality Room
Artistic Category | Artist |
---|---|
Career Level | Professional |
Experienced With | Commissions, Public art |
Artist statement:
What is art (to me)? Art is a term that I feel has been grossly abused. In many instances, the bar seems to have been lowered to the point that nearly anyone or anything can produce or become “Art”. Objectively considered, everybody is not an artist. Just any thing is not art. The simple declaration of such should not make it so. The term “Art” deserves a special meaning, one that takes it out of the realm of the easy, the banal and the ordinary. Art should be special; a state of awareness, of learning, involvement, beauty or transcendence. That is not to say that art can’t be confrontational, controversial, or challenging. But to rise to the level of Art, the work must possess certain qualities that distinguish it from the background of ordinary experience. Certainly not all attempts are successful, and a serious artist cannot be afraid to fail. Investigation and discovery are messy enterprises filled with dead-ends, failures and catastrophes on the way to triumphs.
The history of 20th century art has introduced the idea that Art can be separated from the corpus and craft of art and need not be the direct product of the hand. Taken to the extreme, some assert that concept itself is enough and Art need only be a thought, an intent or an outline of process and an enduring physical element is not a requirement. This is a fine academic exercise but where does that leave us? It seems to be a dead-end, a death spiral of logic. And furthermore, how can such ethereal art be sustainable without some form of existential reality or value that incents the continuance of the practice. While the point of concept-as-art may be valid and deserves to be made, what is to be gained going forward by restatement in infinite permutations?
The mystical experience that humans naturally seek is missing and seems to be an unsustainable path that will be viewed historically as a passing fashion and not as a guidepost to a new artistic truth. The object and the craft of art are not dead, and all possible statements in physical media have not yet been made. Seeking that transcendental experience that the best art creates is a fundamental human desire that people seek to fulfill through music, expressive movement, visual encounters and other sensory experiences. To achieve this level takes practitioners of great skill and discipline to manipulate the tools of their discipline to create Art that speaks to universal truths.
Short version
Carefully considered, everybody is not an artist. Just any thing is not art. The term “Art” deserves a special meaning, one that takes it out of the realm of the easy, the banal and the ordinary. Art should be special; a state of awareness, of learning, involvement, beauty or transcendence. Seeking that transcendental experience that the best art creates is a fundamental human desire that people seek to fulfill through music, expressive movement, visual encounters and other sensory experiences. To achieve this level takes practitioners of great discipline and skill to manipulate their tools to create work that speaks to universal truths in a lasting and meaningful way.
Resume
Anders Anderson
Red Clay Tile Works and studio
75 Meade Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15202
(412) 734-2222
www.redclaytileworks.com
University of Cincinnati – Industrial Design
Art Students League of New York
Kent State University – BFA sculpture and metalsmithing
Penland School of Crafts - Metal
Operated Weathervane Forge 1974-1980
Operated Red Clay Tile Works since 1980 thru present
Red Clay Studio (Sculpture) 2005 - present
Private and public commissions continuously