About/Contact
Who I am
Hello!
I am a 28 year old Israeli guy, freelance writer by trade, who is seriously passionate about art. I was born in Russia, in the cold Ural mountains (not Siberia!), in the industrial city of Yekaterinburg, and moved with my family here in 1990. Children are known to overcome culture shock pretty quickly and I was no exception. I studied in high school, served in the army and went to university (BA in English&Linguistics). I like music, literature, cinema, football and the sea. That’s me in a nutshell.
How it all began…
One day, a few years ago, I got the strange urge to look at something beautiful and colorful. I didn’t want to bother going outside. My eyes wandered about the room, until they fell on the book shelves, particularly the one with the few monographs on various painters. I picked one book — it was on Caravaggio — and the next moment I experienced a mild form of what is known as the “Stendhal Syndrome.” I was hooked ever since.
I began browsing various art forums, networking and discussing my and other people’s ideas about art. I noticed that I was beginning to develop my own voice — that I always had things to say. Talking with working artists was an especially exciting experience that gave me the sense of real participation and contribution to contemporary art scene. Finally I decided to establish my own place to run critiques and share my thoughts on art. Thus, Art&Critique came into being. Reviewing frequent and daily painters is a great experience, but occasionally I still enjoy writing on the classics.
What I do
Everything I write is a result of my personal impressions, opinions and conclusions. Every post includes a reproduction with a short critical article. I try to construct a story for each piece. In an endeavor to reach a broad generalized conclusion, I point out the main elements, discuss composition, palette, linear and rhythmic movement, balance, general atmosphere and impression, and so on and so forth — anything and everything that makes a painting remarkable.
My goal is to be observant and analytical. Ultimately, I think that my writing style can be categorized as “pseudo-intellectual.” I try to cut down on the “pseudo” part, but it doesn’t always work :). I started writing these reviews for myself, unsatisfied with what the books have to offer, but I still rely on these books, stylistically and formally. I learn from both the best and the worst.
What I don’t do
I am not a professional critic. I don’t do systematic research and I don’t oblige myself to quote (I am on tense terms with the MLA format), though sometimes I will. I am aware that some of the things written here will inadvertently repeat already familiar hypotheses. Still, I believe that knowledge has the right to exist outside of established institutions, and that new knowledge can also be produced outside of them.
Some important elements, brushwork in particular, are very difficult to examine via the Internet. Though there are great reproductions out there, nothing can compare to looking at a painting live in a museum or a gallery. Colors are also prone to distortion. These technical limitations can undermine some of the words written here. If you are looking for complete, all-round critical assessments, I would strongly recommend going to a museum and consulting with known authors and books.
My goals
My main goals are: to learn to appreciate art, to grow as a critic and as a writer, and to acquire new knowledge. Writing about art often becomes a discovery process for me, and I am happy to be able to share it. I hope to take part in interesting discussions and conversations, so don’t hesitate using that “leave a comment” option.
Contact
Feel free to contact me by email, elish(at)artandcritique(dot)com , if you are interested in writing services or wish to share comments and suggestions.
Some last words
I hope you enjoy browsing this website as much as I enjoy writing for it. Feel free to subscribe to artandcritique.com in order to receive live updates:
Thank you for visiting,
Elijah Shifrin
