Art Is In The Eye Of Beholder

“Art Is The Eye Of The Beholder”

By Bruno Zabaglio

Let’s figure out why, at age 59, I have decide to enroll into a two years   program that will eventually award me, at age 61, a Curatorial Certificate. Expressions such as: “It’s never too late”, or “You should do what you feel is right”, and “You must follow your dreams” come to mind.  Well, these are common expressions that could apply to anyone and any situation. The words that I feel drive me are the ones of my uncle Rino told me, in a summer evening about forty years ago: “Bruno, don’t you ever give up art.  You got something”. Are those words enough for me to embark on this new venture?  I don’t think so.  There is another reason why I believe I should: Intentional Motivation.  Robert F. Bornstein, Joseph M. Masling talk about Intentional Motivation in their book “Scoring the Rorschach” and claim that “For motivation to be scored as intentional, the action must be directed toward some future moment and subjects must be seen as, in some sense, choosing their action rather than having to react.” But before describing my motivation point I feel it’s important to tell you a little about myself. My love affair with art began when I was a young man.  Off and on in my adult life I picked up my brushes and created some artworks that received mixed reactions from family and friends. Every time negativity or indifference bruised my artistic ego, the words of my uncle came back and boosted my confidence.  Once my children got older I felt the need to get a formal training.  My college experience at the University of Cincinnati, DAAP College, didn’t just enhance my knowledge, my creativity, and technique. Through interactions with fellow students and faculty members, my passion for all forms of art grew.  I came to appreciate the old masterpieces more deeply.  And I also became knowledgeable about the art and artists of today and began to feel a sense of excitement as a participant.The main reason why I want to be part of the Curatorial Program is because I believe that contemporary art can be as beautiful as the one created by the old masters.  The famous expression: “Beauty is the eye of the beholder” can also refer to art.  “Art is the eye of the beholder”.  Contemporary Art sometimes gets a bad wrap because the mass population is not exposed enough to it or is correctly educated about it.  I don’t blame anyone. The uneducated viewers try their best to understand the thematic and conceptuality of modern works.  Galleries and museums make an effort to highlight contemporary artists, but they are handicapped by financial and social restrictions.My short-term goal is to learn more how the curatorial world, how it works, and how can I contribute to the expansion of the appreciation for the fine art and artists of today as well as the old ones. My long-term objective and wish is that one day the adjective “Starving” will not precede the noun “Artist” as in the common expression: “Starving Artist”.   I look forward to a time in the future when everyone in the artist profession will attain a renewed social status.  Artists deserve more appreciation for their creativity and contribution to society regardless how famous they are or how much we personally like their artworks.  I believe we must enhance not just their financial support but also their social recognition because, although “Art is the eye of the beholder”, is always art.