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Hands Up! Who Juxtaposes? - Artists' Language

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Adele Elgood

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Hope I don't upset anyone, but am I the only person who cringes when reading an article and the word "juxtapose" comes up. Sometimes listening to or reading about an artist and their work sounds like trying to read through an Insurance document - lots of meaningless words and phrases (at least to me). So where do some of these artists learn this? Can this be attributed to going to art school and do you have to talk like this to be successful?

Amanda Bates

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I learnt the word "juxtaposition" from a Piers Anthony fantasy novel and a dictionary. Never thought of it as an art term. (It just happens to be one of very few words that I can pinpoint where I first came across it). It just means putting two (or more) things in exacty the same place.

Amanda Bates

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But to (try to) answer your questions, which are perfectly reasonable, I think that, basically, it is really difficult to talk about art. Because a picture is worth a thousand words, as the saying has it, and if you haven't got a thousand words, maybe one or two really big ones will do instead? I *didn't* go to art school, but I read a lot (or used to) and I just pick words up. I don't think you have to talk like this to be successful, but I don't really know about that. Instead of going to art school, I studied science. Hence my readiness to use terms like phthalocyanine and quinacridone, which are chemical names for pigments. I also worked as a technical writer, and I do try not to use jargon (I fail sometimes). Chemical names, however, are not jargon. They are accurate and precise names... but sometimes it's better to say Phthalo Blue or Rose Madder Quinacridone (bother, that's longer! But it's what it says on the tube).

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by Amanda

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Alan Green

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I used it in written assignments at Uni, but not when talking about art. Maybe it's the latest addition to the Artwaffle Dictionary

Kay Devlin

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I first came across this word in a book that discussed how best to arrange houseplants...
michael

Michael Edwards

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I must admit I have a sort of loathing fascination for words and phrases which come under the 'babble' umbrella. -especially those adopted by football pundits and managers. The same goes for those who adopt 'art talk'. It strikes me it would a bit of fun to compile a list of such words and phrases and juxtaposition is a good start. Another one which always grates my teeth is 'less is more'. So own up - who's been guilty of using this one. Any others?

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by MichaelEdwards

Derek Snowdon

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Painterly could possibly could come into the same category, but I like it.

John Kay

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I blame it on the fact that Art Schools now have Fine Art Degrees instead of NDDs. Who marks these? Why Universities of course and what do they specialise in? Written dissertations. So the writing becomes more important than the Creative Work. I tried to follow a radio interview a couple of days ago with Anthony Gormley and I couldn't understand a word of it, so there you go. John
michael

Michael Edwards

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Ah but you don't have to understand it - as long as you can write it. If anyone is having trouble here's a useful website: http://www.artybollocks.com/#abg_full
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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I see you have a large number of replies, juxtaposed with your post.

Kay Devlin

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For the enjoyment of art-waffle, there is no finer place than a good art auction catalogue. They had a modern art auction at Bonhams recently. I spent hours reading through the listings. It was wonderful, in a squirmy sort of way. I like the link, Michael. This will save me hours the next time I have a write a statement. Kay.
michael

Michael Edwards

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I can never get a cauliflower effect - turns out more like wilted spinach. I've just done a twig and ink drawing and the ink's blobbed all over the place - broad bean effect? Well they're all vegetables so sort of juxtaposed in a five-a-day sort of way. Quick edit: Just to clarify in case of doubt that cauliflower, spinach and broad beans are all contrasting types of vegetable

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by MichaelEdwards

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