http://artandcritique.com/2008/03/16/todd-bonita-the-keys-to-desire/ Critical articles on artists from various periods, including contemporary daily/frequent painters. Art interpretation guide. Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:07:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 http://artandcritique.com/2008/03/16/todd-bonita-the-keys-to-desire/#comment-583 elijah Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:29:13 +0000 http://artandcritique.com/2008/03/16/todd-bonita-the-keys-to-desire/#comment-583 I agree 100%, Diana. I never presume to know what the artist meant or intended. I try to suggest a direction and one possible interpretation. I agree 100%, Diana. I never presume to know what the artist meant or intended. I try to suggest a direction and one possible interpretation.

]]> http://artandcritique.com/2008/03/16/todd-bonita-the-keys-to-desire/#comment-582 Diana Moses Botkin Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:28:46 +0000 http://artandcritique.com/2008/03/16/todd-bonita-the-keys-to-desire/#comment-582 It is always interesting to learn what viewers find in an artist's work. Perhaps in many cases the observer's interpretation reflects more of their own mind than the artist's. But it's all about connections, isn't it? If a viewer gets satisfaction of his desire to engage the key in the lock, so to speak, what difference does it make that the artist just liked the way the metal looked with the wood? It is always interesting to learn what viewers find in an artist’s work. Perhaps in many cases the observer’s interpretation reflects more of their own mind than the artist’s. But it’s all about connections, isn’t it? If a viewer gets satisfaction of his desire to engage the key in the lock, so to speak, what difference does it make that the artist just liked the way the metal looked with the wood?

]]> http://artandcritique.com/2008/03/16/todd-bonita-the-keys-to-desire/#comment-196 elijah Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:19:12 +0000 http://artandcritique.com/2008/03/16/todd-bonita-the-keys-to-desire/#comment-196 I actually agree that the psychoanalytical interpretation may be too speculative. I though it would be an intersting angle to explore because of the general warm atmosphere. You present a valid and interesting point of view, Mr.Cole, thanks for the insight. I actually agree that the psychoanalytical interpretation may be too speculative. I though it would be an intersting angle to explore because of the general warm atmosphere. You present a valid and interesting point of view, Mr.Cole, thanks for the insight.

]]> http://artandcritique.com/2008/03/16/todd-bonita-the-keys-to-desire/#comment-182 B. Cole Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:54:11 +0000 http://artandcritique.com/2008/03/16/todd-bonita-the-keys-to-desire/#comment-182 I think Mr. Miller is very astute in his observations. All his assertations are wonderful but I think applying them to the "libidinal desire" may not necessarily be the case every time. I believe the use of the key in art is really about a search. The searching artist might be on a quest for a mate but I think it more likely they are on a quest for answers pertaining to art. They are trying to unlock the doors to the "Art Kingdom" so to speak. Perhaps it is a journey to find a personal style. Perhaps it is a journey to understand the art market and gallery world. The questions are; Do I understand my journey? Do I understand my next step? Am I finding the key to unlock Art's door? Is it just there in front of me, obscured in a box? Am I just about to grab it? Will this next "idea" unlock the doors for me? Am I almost to sucess? I think this Key motif could come up for other reason. You may see it in someone dealing with infertility or searching for an answer to a physical illness such as cancer or diabetes. As I said before it could come from someone who is single and searching for a mate but as our jobs usually consume a majority of our waking life, I would guess it will usually pertain to that aspect most often. Linguistically, think how often the word "key" comes into play in a workplace. People use the word to describe the struggle in finding solutions to their business problems. ex. "What is the key to solve this problem?" It is so often used like this that I believe it is more likely linked to business than romance. I love Mr. Millers thoughts on the door and wood. Truely the artist thinks the key is close to the door. Had the key been painted in a pile of nails it would represent a different feeling. The shadows could be simply a "must do" because of the lighting the artist chose to use, if it were done from a setup. They could also represent a "foreshadowing" of the key the artist believes is coming; sort of a repeated meaning - the key x 2. The artist believes they see the shadow of the key, the key itself and it's hanging comfortably near the door. Things are about to open. I think Mr. Miller is very astute in his observations. All his assertations are wonderful but I think applying them to the “libidinal desire” may not necessarily be the case every time. I believe the use of the key in art is really about a search. The searching artist might be on a quest for a mate but I think it more likely they are on a quest for answers pertaining to art. They are trying to unlock the doors to the “Art Kingdom” so to speak. Perhaps it is a journey to find a personal style. Perhaps it is a journey to understand the art market and gallery world. The questions are; Do I understand my journey? Do I understand my next step? Am I finding the key to unlock Art’s door? Is it just there in front of me, obscured in a box? Am I just about to grab it? Will this next “idea” unlock the doors for me? Am I almost to sucess? I think this Key motif could come up for other reason. You may see it in someone dealing with infertility or searching for an answer to a physical illness such as cancer or diabetes. As I said before it could come from someone who is single and searching for a mate but as our jobs usually consume a majority of our waking life, I would guess it will usually pertain to that aspect most often. Linguistically, think how often the word “key” comes into play in a workplace. People use the word to describe the struggle in finding solutions to their business problems. ex. “What is the key to solve this problem?” It is so often used like this that I believe it is more likely linked to business than romance. I love Mr. Millers thoughts on the door and wood. Truely the artist thinks the key is close to the door. Had the key been painted in a pile of nails it would represent a different feeling. The shadows could be simply a “must do” because of the lighting the artist chose to use, if it were done from a setup. They could also represent a “foreshadowing” of the key the artist believes is coming; sort of a repeated meaning - the key x 2. The artist believes they see the shadow of the key, the key itself and it’s hanging comfortably near the door. Things are about to open.

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