As I begin to work on my Artist Statement for the mid-September Joint Show, I find myself trying to account for the whimsicality of most of my images. So here’s an preliminary summary of my take on Whimsy:
where things are built that cock snooks at
conventional boundaries of the factual.
The whimsical rests upon
risible analogies,
wordplay,
and a fine sense for the absurd.
Visible manifestations of the whimsical
are frequently paredoliac (“…it looks like…”),
often grandiose (what can I conjure out of this rock?),
and are generally calculated to amuse
(think Grandville)
or sometimes to warn and admonish
(think Gargoyles).
The whimsical is likelier to elicit a snort than a guffaw.
But it is wise to remember
that some folk are annoyed by the whimsical,
and that the most literal-minded are often simply baffled.
So choose your audience mindfully
and avoid poking the bear.