In response to Deborah's recent message (reprinted below).

Your definition of "the artist's vision" is extremely broad!

I'm also struck by your preoccupation with the *origin* of a work. Even
though you appear to acknowledge that the subsequent history of a work -
including the context in which it is shown - affects its meaning, you
appear to imply that it is both possible and desirable to strip away this
history in order to reveal the origin of a work in all its splendour. If
I've read your message correctly - and see how difficult it is to establish
what the meaning of a work is, even one so brief as your email! - why are
origins so important to you?

Is your reference to visitors towards the end of your message not a little
patronising?! Do they really need such a large, warm and reassuring hand to
hold on to as they walk around a gallery?

My comments are meant to be constructive.


>I 've thought about this statement since I sent it to the list and have also
>discussed it with a valued colleague.  When I said "the artist's vision," I
>didn't mean the artist's reading or interpretation of his/her own work as an
>after thought or reaction, but rather the source (the ideological,
>conceptual, aesthetic origins) from which the work was created, whether
>stated by the artist or not.  However, since reviewing the statement and
>debating the topic, I've realized that these origins are important in the
>creation of the work (and sometimes carry over into the life of the work),
>but once the work is finished it takes on a life of its own, being influenced
>by the various contexts in which it is placed (which brings us to the
>"curator's vision").  Although, I still hold fast to my original conviction
>that as educators it is our job to help visitors become comfortable and
>confident in formulating their own visions.  Thank you, Paul, for catching me
>on this point.  I appreciate the opportunity to work through my thoughts.
>
>Deborah Bain

Best wishes,

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Paul Melia

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Visit the VFI at "http://www.zen.co.uk/home/page/paul.m"
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