Titled or untitled? What's in a name?

For the same reason that some feel it necessary to display their philosophical positions, I guess. Sets them apart from hoi polloi.

I named a recently completed run my "Budweiser" collection, but nobody figured out that the pieces were all made of beechwood, aged.

Arch ponders :"Why should some bowles (sic,'G') have a descriptive name or a title?

Perhaps for indexing purposes at the back of the book.

-Kevin

Glad you're back and apparently safe and sound, though it looks like all that wind stirred some dusty corners. :o)

'Bowle' calls to mind the 'Old, Vintage, Antiques' I see on e-bay from time to time. I've spent many a minute musing over that one, since 'antique' usually jacks the price, as does 'vintage'. But, does 'Old' cancel out 'Antique' or 'Vintage' or both? Or does 'Vintage' and 'Antique' square the price and 'Old' cube it? Am I just 'Old' or an 'Old', 'Vintage' 'Antique' and can I charge more for stuff I make?

LD

the one I've always liked is the difference between junk and junque.. lol

Arch et. al.

The idea that one can assign a name to their "bowle" is probably akin to the idea that one can assemble a whole book of wooden bowls and sell it as if there was some kind of revelation contained within. (BTW I submitted 3 pictures of my work to this endeavor and was given a summary dismissal - was it becasue I did not assign names to my work?)

If I were to assign a name to some of the bowls I make they would probably be similar to the following

"Sugar Maple with a Nasty Catch Near the Exterior Base" "Cherry with a Huge Crack" "Awwww Nuts!" "@$%&*!%!" "The Curve Just Does Not Look Right" "Maybe Next Time" "Wasted Blank" "Looked Better in the Log" And my all time favorite..... "Salad Bowl"

Really, I think the names are often quite nebulous and potentially nefarious at best - I think it is better to let the work speak for itself! Unless there is an absolute need to help someone make a connection to the piece - although the only connection to the piece that I can envision is the point where ones hand makes contact with the surface of the piece. that is the only connection most of us make - then a name could be useful!

If it is art, is there a need to assign a name?

If it is art, is it because someone made up a psudo psycological moniker for the piece? {I think naming the piece might be a way to preserve an experience we have as an artist, but will the name mean anything to someone else?}

If it is art, does it need to affect you emotionally? {(That is like trying to say that the 10 Commandments in the city square offends you) I enjoy looking at (or is that viewing) paintings, but the only emotion I experience is something like "wow - isn't that a great painting" - I have never been brought to tears or saddened or elated or repulsed - well maybe repulsed - but usually it is pleasurable to look at others' work - it really is not much of an emotional experience like some of these art bigots want you to think}

If it is art, is it because I said it is?

These questions/statements could go on and on....

I say my work is art, becasue I used the skills and the wood that God gave me and did something constructive with them - to show off His handiwork - not becasue I gave it a name!

Good Day

Ray

Let's not forget Auntie Cue!

I haven't seen the 500 Bowles book, but I do have a copy of the 400 Wooden Boxes book. All of them have names, but the names seem less affectatious than the Bowles. There are a few 'EarthMother' and 'Bubba' boxes, but most are pretty simple or descriptive. Some of them even have names like 'Jewelery Box', or 'Walnut Box'. I'm not sure what this means. Perhaps the flatlanders have more confidence, or maybe they're just trying to make a living. I've noticed that things that are 'named' cost more. Things with names you can't pronounce cost even more. Just try any 'upscale' restaurant to see what I mean.

I do find some inspiration in the 400 Boxes book. There are even some boxes in there that I could have done. If I hadn't got the joint wrong or the finish hadn't orange peeled.

I'm very glad to hear this. It's always good to know you are not alone.

My favorite Bowles are: 'Flung Off Chuck And Damn Near Knocked Me Out' and 'Blood Of Thumb Sliced By Chuck'.

Only if you want to make more money. See above.

Here we diverge in in a wood. I have been brought to tears by music and dance. Most memorably a performance of the 'Swan Lake' dying Swan scene by Maya Plesitskya. For me, it was not a dancer on the stage. It was the Swan. Absolutely incredible!

It is art to you if you consider it that way. When most people consider it to be art, then it probably is great art.

Harry

Cambell soup cans?

If the soup can fits ...