deepundergroundpoetry.com
“Cheap” Ballpoint Pen
Fantastic bit of engineering and chemistry.
We take it for granted
because it doesn’t cost much, does it mean that it lacks value?
Fine art done with a ballpoint pen seems like heresy.
Franz Klein painting with house paint.
A cheap pen can’t create “fine “ art
Bullshit elitism.
Charcoal is cheap. Burn some wood.
The expressive potential is vast
Accepted medium of “fine” art
Denim blue of ballpoint ink
Immediately recognizable
Beautiful in the right hands,
Seen with probing eyes
that appreciate the technique, interact with the work,
contemplate what the artist’s choice of a ubiquitous tool conveys
Make an effort to see value beyond the price tag of the tools.
We take it for granted
because it doesn’t cost much, does it mean that it lacks value?
Fine art done with a ballpoint pen seems like heresy.
Franz Klein painting with house paint.
A cheap pen can’t create “fine “ art
Bullshit elitism.
Charcoal is cheap. Burn some wood.
The expressive potential is vast
Accepted medium of “fine” art
Denim blue of ballpoint ink
Immediately recognizable
Beautiful in the right hands,
Seen with probing eyes
that appreciate the technique, interact with the work,
contemplate what the artist’s choice of a ubiquitous tool conveys
Make an effort to see value beyond the price tag of the tools.
Published 18th Oct 2023
Author's Note
I have been thinking about how, as a society, we ascribe value to things (tools, art etc.). Probably an outcome of experimenting with various tools for applying ink to paper.
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19th Oct 2023 00:22am
This is a critical message for all aspiring artists, and really resonates with me since I used to work in camera shops back in the day, and I was always blown away by how much money dudes would shower on their gear.
Later, I realized that one of the most attractive things about poetry was how cheap it was, and how portable, and just as long lasting as a photo, if not more so, once it gets bound into a book.
And my wife has done marvelous drawings with a ball point pen:)
Later, I realized that one of the most attractive things about poetry was how cheap it was, and how portable, and just as long lasting as a photo, if not more so, once it gets bound into a book.
And my wife has done marvelous drawings with a ball point pen:)
19th Oct 2023 1:41am
Dear M,
It seems that for many activities, they become about the gear and the tools. The high end gear seems like an easy way to improve but ultimately the quality is up to the user mastering or pushing their own skills. I get the impression that the tools are generally not the limiting factor.
It seems that for many activities, they become about the gear and the tools. The high end gear seems like an easy way to improve but ultimately the quality is up to the user mastering or pushing their own skills. I get the impression that the tools are generally not the limiting factor.
19th Oct 2023 2:01am
Excellent observations. There is no limit, perhaps, to what can be used as a utensil to get our words out, and our pictures, etc. The human mind is limitless, and nothing is without purpose for expressing that.
Great write.
Great write.
19th Oct 2023 2:34am
Dear S,
Thank you for reading and commenting. Yes, there are lots of tools people use to get words out. I have seen demos of people painting using sticks found in the woods-gives interesting marks.
Thank you for reading and commenting. Yes, there are lots of tools people use to get words out. I have seen demos of people painting using sticks found in the woods-gives interesting marks.
3rd Nov 2023 00:56am
