[Jewelry making - Article 00744] - Re: [Orchid] Definition of jeweler?

[AlanRevere]

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    I have read the many definitions of Artist which have recently
    appeared, and which evolved from the simpler question about the
    definition of the word Jeweler. You would think that defining the
    word Jeweler would be simple enough, as it clearly pertains to
    jewelry. But to some it means maker and to others it means seller
    and to others it means designer. Clearly we cannot agree, which I
    feel is primarily due to cultural, historical and language
    differences. 

    As far as the second and more interesting question of what is Art
    and who is an Artist, I agree with nearly everyone, despite the
    widely divergent points of view. The word elicits a wide breadth of
    meanings both as personal/subjective understandings, as well as more
    formal cultural/collective definitions. And so it is impossible to
    reach universal agreement on a single definitive description of what
    is an Artist. And then comes the added emotional/ego filter that
    those who create cannot clear away, which just muddies the water
    further. 

    In my personal experience as a creator in 2D and 3D, I never really
    felt comfortable being referred to as an Artist, even if what I made
    was Art. Although others were comfortable calling me that, it is such
    a loaded term that I shied away. I have never "honored" myself with
    that title. Using it was their choice and so I accepted it as their
    truth, but not mine. Although the situation has more differences
    than similarities, look at what they do in Japan. I do not believe
    that the greatest Artists there just one day decide to proclaim that
    they are National Living Treasures. Others do the calling, while the
    Artist just does his/her art. I always felt that Art speaks for
    itself, requiring no explanation, and that the creator should not
    interfere by adding loaded appendages to what they produce. 

    I suppose that language is the root of the problem, as usual. In
    fact, poor communication seems to be the cause of nearly all our
    earthly mistakes. Although they say that English is the most
    descriptive language, we still cannot define these very important
    terms properly. English has its limitations, despite its 675,000 or
    so words (and growing). For example, despite all those words, we
    only have one for Snow. Even Eskimos beat us there, with their dozen
    or so different terms for frozen water. No wonder we cannot agree on
    the meaning of Artist(e) and Jewel(l)er. We can't even agree on how
    to spell them, as some feel the need to add extra letters, perhaps
    to bolster their importance. 

    So I raise my chalice to diversity, to our living language and to
    keeping an open mind about how others use it. In fact, I hope that
    we never all agree. 

    And add a toast to Ton and Hanuman for providing a forum for this
    lively discussion. 

Alan Revere
Goldsmith and Jewelry Designer
Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts
760 Market Street - Suite 900
San Francisco, CA 94102
tel: 415-391-4179   fax: 415-391-7570
web: http://www.revereacademy.com
email: alan AT revereacademy.com 




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