Let's Talk Aesthetics

[d.huber]

If you want to talk to an Art Major, I suggest the waitresses at Denny's. They have a little more time than the folks behind the counter at McDonalds.

And I was working at a Casino buffet! Sheesh, some people and their stereotypes.

Unfortunately a major in theatre doesn't really apply when discussing the creation of static visual art, nor does it help with classical art history. Just to be clear, by "static" I simply refer to the nature of sculpture, ceramics, painting, etc. Once it's done, the shape of the composition doesn't change. Although time and use may alter them, when we view them their nature is essentially immobile and unwavering.

Ocelot, I think another great example to add to the cultural influences conversation is the Japanese. Their take on pipe design is inherently different. There is a lot more organic asymmetry and I think that comes from a long history of Japanese artistic tradition which, of course, comes from living on an island surrounded by a bounteous sea full of fascinating aquatic creatures.

[Ocelot55]

Dear Gentlemen,
I would like to preface this comment by noting that I am not Ocelot55. I am Ocelot55's fiance. You may call me Serval55. As I am not a smoker myself, I believe I can offer a unique perspective on pipe aesthetics as pipes have no practical or functional appeal to me.
To embellish on what Ocelot55 said, an individual's personal taste is developed over time and influenced by multiple aspects of our lives. This also explains why an individual's taste often changes as they age. So a simple test of this theory is to observe the overall appearance of several 'art' pieces you own or that are appealing to you. This can be anything from glassware to cars, even attractive people. (Yes, I do fall under the Danish school of pipemaking aesthetics, if you were wondering.)
However, to apply this idea on a cultural level is somewhat more difficult. The majority of art history does not apply, as most historical periods generally cover the majority of Europe. A study of each region's folkart would be more likely to reveal a correlation between pipe aesthetics and overall cultural taste, if any exsists. Any of you actual Art majors can advance that conversation from here, my Bachelor's is in Musical Theatre. I just had to take Art History last spring. I will note that a recent study cited in the Economist showed a link between Asian culture and their affinity for math. It would be interesting to see if a similar link exists between pipe making cultures and their daily cultural habits/enviroment. If I can find a link to said article, I will post it.
Anyhoo, on a more general note, I find oddly shaped and intricate pipes aesthetically pleasing. I can certainly see the difference between amateur pipes that are 'artistic' to cover fundamental flaws and well crafted shapes whose simplicity borders on the divine. And then there's Walle. So while my eye is not uncultured I do think that my general tastes differ from pipe smokers, as the mechanics of a pipe don't matter to me, i.e. a less than exemplary pipe that smokes well. Going (wayyyy) back to the begining of this thread, I like the first pipe pictured for its artistic flair within the prescribed parameters of a conventional billard. The second pipe does disturb me because that curve is just wrong. I don't know why, but I would like that pipe much better if the stem was straight. That may be weird, but that's what I think.

[staffwalker]

Dear Gentlemen,
I would like to preface this comment by noting that I am not Ocelot55. I am Ocelot55's fiance. You may call me Serval55. As I am not a smoker myself, I believe I can offer a unique perspective on pipe aesthetics as pipes have no practical or functional appeal to me.
To embellish on what Ocelot55 said, an individual's personal taste is developed over time and influenced by multiple aspects of our lives. This also explains why an individual's taste often changes as they age. So a simple test of this theory is to observe the overall appearance of several 'art' pieces you own or that are appealing to you. This can be anything from glassware to cars, even attractive people. (Yes, I do fall under the Danish school of pipemaking aesthetics, if you were wondering.)
However, to apply this idea on a cultural level is somewhat more difficult. The majority of art history does not apply, as most historical periods generally cover the majority of Europe. A study of each region's folkart would be more likely to reveal a correlation between pipe aesthetics and overall cultural taste, if any exsists. Any of you actual Art majors can advance that conversation from here, my Bachelor's is in Musical Theatre. I just had to take Art History last spring. I will note that a recent study cited in the Economist showed a link between Asian culture and their affinity for math. It would be interesting to see if a similar link exists between pipe making cultures and their daily cultural habits/enviroment. If I can find a link to said article, I will post it.


Anyhoo, on a more general note, I find oddly shaped and intricate pipes aesthetically pleasing. I can certainly see the difference between amateur pipes that are 'artistic' to cover fundamental flaws and well crafted shapes whose simplicity borders on the divine. And then there's Walle. So while my eye is not uncultured I do think that my general tastes differ from pipe smokers, as the mechanics of a pipe don't matter to me, i.e. a less than exemplary pipe that smokes well. Going (wayyyy) back to the begining of this thread, I like the first pipe pictured for its artistic flair within the prescribed parameters of a conventional billard. The second pipe does disturb me because that curve is just wrong. I don't know why, but I would like that pipe much better if the stem was straight. That may be weird, but that's what I think.

I agree, that second pipe is just wrong. I also agree it would be better with a straight shank or with a more pronounced bend in the stem portion. bob gilbert

[d.huber]

Dear Gentlemen,
I would like to preface this comment by noting that I am not Ocelot55. I am Ocelot55's fiance. You may call me Serval55. As I am not a smoker myself, I believe I can offer a unique perspective on pipe aesthetics as pipes have no practical or functional appeal to me.
To embellish on what Ocelot55 said, an individual's personal taste is developed over time and influenced by multiple aspects of our lives. This also explains why an individual's taste often changes as they age. So a simple test of this theory is to observe the overall appearance of several 'art' pieces you own or that are appealing to you. This can be anything from glassware to cars, even attractive people. (Yes, I do fall under the Danish school of pipemaking aesthetics, if you were wondering.)
However, to apply this idea on a cultural level is somewhat more difficult. The majority of art history does not apply, as most historical periods generally cover the majority of Europe. A study of each region's folkart would be more likely to reveal a correlation between pipe aesthetics and overall cultural taste, if any exsists. Any of you actual Art majors can advance that conversation from here, my Bachelor's is in Musical Theatre. I just had to take Art History last spring. I will note that a recent study cited in the Economist showed a link between Asian culture and their affinity for math. It would be interesting to see if a similar link exists between pipe making cultures and their daily cultural habits/enviroment. If I can find a link to said article, I will post it.


Anyhoo, on a more general note, I find oddly shaped and intricate pipes aesthetically pleasing. I can certainly see the difference between amateur pipes that are 'artistic' to cover fundamental flaws and well crafted shapes whose simplicity borders on the divine. And then there's Walle. So while my eye is not uncultured I do think that my general tastes differ from pipe smokers, as the mechanics of a pipe don't matter to me, i.e. a less than exemplary pipe that smokes well. Going (wayyyy) back to the begining of this thread, I like the first pipe pictured for its artistic flair within the prescribed parameters of a conventional billard. The second pipe does disturb me because that curve is just wrong. I don't know why, but I would like that pipe much better if the stem was straight. That may be weird, but that's what I think.

I agree, that second pipe is just wrong. I also agree it would be better with a straight shank or with a more pronounced bend in the stem portion. bob gilbert

This is exactly what I was referring to when I spoke about that almost beautiful bend. It's fascinating to me in that the slight bend and then straightening of the shank forces discomfort on the eye. My sensibilities want to pull the end of that shank up ever so slightly to resolve the bend into a pleasing shape. However, I think that the second pipe is really interesting for this very reason. Given this guy's skill, I can only assume that it was intentional.

As frustrating and discomforting as a piece like this is, I've got to say that I love seeing work like it. It forces us to step outside our comfort zone and reanalyze what our notions of beauty are.