Panelists attempt to debunk the myth of art's obsolescence

By Ellen Trinklein     11/15/12 6:00pm

In Rice University's hyperscientific and technologically focused environment, art sometimes seems marginalized.

Taking a stand against this trend, the newly formed club Art Lab held a discussion panel on Nov. 13 called "Debunking the Myth: Art. Technology. Professionalism." The panel aimed to dispel myths about art and highlight the importance of creativity in society, technology and modern professionalism.

The panel consisted of four influential professionals from Houston's art community: Adela Andea, a Romanian-born artist who uses innovative materials to create sculptures and art installations; Judy Nyquist, a curator, founding board member of the Houston Arts Alliance and patron of the arts; Jane Weiner, executive and artistic director of the innovative dance studio Hope Stone, Inc.; and Anthony Brandt, a Shepherd School of Music professor and founder of Musiqa, a program dedicated to bringing art into childhood education.

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Key issues discussed in the panel included getting started in the art business, the creative process, the role of technology and the sciences, and the importance of art in today's world. 

The speakers began the panel by debunking the myth of the starving artist, validating a future for students interested in art and encouraging anyone who has a passion for art to pursue it.

"The greatest gift you can give yourself is doing what you love," Brandt said. 

Andea said one has to be willing to create one's own path, especially within an academic setting.

"You have to be stubborn to be an artist, to know what you like and what you like to do," Andea said. "There are a lot of ways you can change academia by actively participating in what's happening."

According to Weiner, the education of an artist should be one that takes both the art and business side into account. She believes economics and accounting classes are just as vital to the future of an artist as are art classes. 

Nyquist, who connects with and and fosters artists, emphasized the role of networking. 

"Be your own advocate," Nyquist said. "Never apologize for your art. If you believe in it, then it's good."

As the title of the panel indicates, one of the most important discussion subjects is the role of technology and science in the current art scene. Andea said her work would not even be possible without the scientific and technological innovations of the world today. 

"We are beyond the approach of humanism where the world is centered around the individual," Andea said. "Now we are dependent on technology. It has become an extension of the mind and body. We are all cyborgs today."

Nyquist added the constantly evolving role of technological innovation leaves a lot of space for students to add to the current art scene. 

"[Andea's] work relies on the groundbreaking world of the sciences," Nyquist said. "These advances give her the tools to do her work. [Rice students] can inform and help art maintain art's progress. If they say, 'Oh, I can't participate in the art discussion, they are wrong."

All four panelists agreed that in spite of the emphasis on quantitative results, laboratory tests and computational coding, art is essential for the future of our society. 

According to Weiner, art develops creativity in the sphere of education and creates compassion and joy in children. 

"[America] has this complete pie of education, and somehow art education is missing from the pie." Weiner said. "Someone with an art education does not look at a problem and just come up with one way to solve it. They come up with 57 ways to solve it."

Brandt added art reflects not only who people are but expands their worldview. 

"[Art] plays a greater role in our future than in our past," Brandt said. "It's just going to take hard work to convince people of that."

Ultimately, according to Nyquist, art is for all those who are interested, no matter what they study, where they work or where they fit in society.

"Art is essential for every breathing, walking human," Nyquist said. "You need to embrace it in every part of your life and try to inject it into the lives of others."

The takeaway message from the panel was that art is not an innate passion in some people and is a missing link in others. Art is part of human discourse, regardless of ability. In the words of Brandt, "the world needs more artists."

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