Chapter Four Tradition and the New in Current Art

In this chapter he begins with showing how even if you are breaking traditions you are in a sense still staying true and close to old traditions because you must have something to base the new traditions off of in order to make them different. He covers how one should not simply learn of the new styles to immediately try to shove them into their old styles instead they should study and practice the styles until the new ones force themselves into the artists old styles. if the artist attempts a premature grasping of this combination it most often results in a failed understanding of the meaning. He calls back on that vision of the cross country runner pushing and pushing himself and he applies it to an artist needing to get up early and work more and more and to overcome their preconceived limits and to set new heights. And most important of all, be willing to allow that cup to hold new ideas, new traditions, do not allow yourself to be so wound up on the old, and comfortable, accept change. He warns against many teachers who say stay strong to your traditions. While traditions are important, learning about other styles will help one to see the world differently and improve their traditional art in ways they never knew were possible. It will allow you to eventually combine the two and allow you to enhance your art with the arts you have let yourself explore. He Speaks of how he advocates for the teaching of "concept over technique, practice, or drill". It is interesting the example he provides of Japanese learning vs American learning of science and math, you should definitely look at that. And once again he reiterates that the student must be willing to reach out to the teacher and not simply expect to come to class and sit there and like a sponge soak it all up. They must put effort and attention into the assignment including especially the reading and lectures to truly understand the meaning of the class and styles. What he is saying is don't expect a miracle worker out of your teacher, you have to work work work and work some more if you ever expect to get any where in this major or any major for that matter.