Palladio users need not apply(Re: Names, names...)

Sal (sal@www.napc.com)
Thu, 06 Feb 1997 18:16:37 -0500

Eric J. Neilsen wrote:
>
There can be no renaissance
> without substance. Call out to the students and buyers with images of
> lasting art. Hands on photography, (Palladio users need not apply).
> Putting a name "Renaissance Photography" onto a course listing would
> probably bring more art historians in to the rolls than it would modern
> artist, (todays photographers/print makers).
>
> EJ Neilsen
Eric J. Neilsen wrote:

> If the name game is an attempt to bring in an audience, be that students
> or buyers, let it reflect the possibilites. There can be no renaissance
> without substance. Call out to the students and buyers with images of
> lasting art. Hands on photography, (Palladio users need not apply).
> Putting a name "Renaissance Photography" onto a course listing would
> probably bring more art historians in to the rolls than it would modern
> artist, (todays photographers/print makers).
>
> EJ Neilsen

Am I to understand that Palladio paper is not considered to be
alternative process, renaissance, classical etc? So only a HANDMADE
print gets that honorable distinction? Where does that leave the many
prints made around the turn of the century on factory-made papers?
The comment "Palladio users need not apply" raises my ire and makes
me bear my teeth. I have chosen the alternative processes as the
primary means of my artistic expression because of the final
result,the image imbeded in and on the fibers of a watercolor paper.
For me the IMAGE is everything. How you get there is secondary.
For all the handcoaters out there, I ask this: Do you or do you not
use a factory made film to expose your image in camera? Did you
construct your camera? What about your lens? The light meter you use
was probably made in a factory. I know that some of us make our own
paper base.
I do not believe that the use of these factory made tools makes the
practitioner any less of an artist. Though a good hand coater would
have a more intimate grasp of the inner workings of his/her craft.
Following the same reasoning the use of Palladio paper should not
disqualify the image or the artist.
I use Palladio paper as well as hand coating for my imagery depending
on the particular image. Speaking from personal experience I feel that
Palladio paper is in no way inferior to hand coated materials.
I also want to be clear in that I am not putting down handcoating. I
think it is important to have an understanding of the process from
beginning to end. I simply feel that palladio's paper is an extremely
useful and beautiful tool and those that use it should not be
overlooked or dismissed out of hand.

Sal Mancini
Palladio