Limit(less): An exploration in the process of art making For this project, students explored how the use of limits could either restrict or allow for a new type of creativity. Students initiated a set plan of limits through non-traditional materials, physical body, setting, process, and imagery. Students engaged in initial experiments based from their set limits. They documented their process through video and photographs, challenging their notion of how art is defined. From these experiments, students decided the aspects that would remain or be abandoned, developing a plan that would be used to create a more final artwork. For exhibition, students led audience members through a series of experiences which limited them in their art making process.
Process or Product?
"I believe that process is more important. I believe this because without a plan or goal while trying to complete something, you aren’t getting the job done to where you could be able to do it again because of a missing process. In order to have something complete you’d have to have a plan to go about so it could be the way you want it to be. For example if you wanted to change the color of a picture or add color you’d have to have a process of how to do it, which is either painting or coloring with something with a color. Without this process the picture isn’t going to be colored because of a missing process." Semji Parker
"I feel like the process is more important. This is more important because it shows the audience the struggle that the artist has been through to create a great product. Without process there would not be such a great final product. . The process allows you to work and construct new ideas throughout the project and helps you come up with good ideas. For example, my project that I am creating now would just be a black outline of a rat if I did not work through it. Because I worked through it, the process helped me improve my project and I was able to create a darker image of the rat. Therefore, the process is more important than the final product." Aurice Blanton
"In my opinion I believe that the process has a greater purpose than when compared to the final product. Personally process has more pros than final product while final process’s list is limited outside of personal accomplishment. Process provides a more brief and somewhat diverse analysis of growth and personal development. In conclusion, process shows more development otherwise that just reaching a final product. Throughout my junior year in Art, process has provided more room for evaluation on your work and if it can truly be viewed as art." Zach Hubbard
"I believe that the process is most important part of a project. I think that the process is the most important for many reasons. One reason is because the right process brings the right product when the process isn’t great the product won’t be great. The point of these projects is not in an end result, but in the experimenting and exploring that goes into the making. During process projects, we are not constrained by what something “should” look like, instead the focus is on exploring a medium, technique or idea. Like a story for instance you don’t just skip to the point the adventure and the events that lead up to everything is the most important part." Mariah Dowdell
Limits or no limits? Does setting limits in art allow us to think more creatively or does it restrict us?
"Limits can seem like the last thing you’d want for a project, but they’re actually helpful when it comes to being original. If you’ve ever felt bored of the plain projects, you’ll know what it’s like to be craving for more creative opportunities even though the opportunity is right in front of you. What restrictions does is take away some of the choices available to us. Then in them we find original ways to make them better in our own eyes." Omar Askew