Like, oh wow, "Reality"

[Moltas]

I'm not sure if I can contribute to this interesting discussion but I will give you my view on a couple of things.

Tecnique vs art
Some people seem to think of art and techinque/photo-realism as opposites. Two different players in the world of expression and communication. I don't really see it that way. On the contrary, without the right technique you will be limited in the way you can create "art". And tecnique without meaning is also pretty pointless.

3D??
What do we mean with 3D images? The last supper is one of the best examples of 3D and the use of perspective to add interest in an image. It's done on a canvas but it's still very much 3D. I don't really care if you use a computer, a pen or whatever just as long as the results "speaks" to me (technically or as art).

But I think that there might be a danger in using computers to create art. It's quite easy to render a perfect scene with the use of a computer but it doesn't mean that anyone can create a new "The last supper". To paint a "3D" scene on canvas will take longer, giving you the time to reflect on every little detail. You will automatically put more of yourself into the end-result. You will have the time to reflect on your feeling for the subject etc...


/Moltas

[gare]

Thanks, All, for your invaluable input! I think we all can agree that:

1.) There's a distinction between the medium of modeling, and creating something that speaks to us dimensionally. The two modalities are not necessarily mutually exclusive, however.

2.) There's no substitute for inspiration. Having technical skills will win you a technical award (which is fine), but not an award for "Deepest Thought" ;)

Additionally, I feel that the designers who are leveraging the power of the personal computer the most these days, have spent time getting their hands dirty in the physical, analog world of Art, either through self-taught experience (usually the most fertile!), or through schooling.

But that doesn't disclude the ambitious, self-expressive individual who wants to use the computer as a vehicle, and doesn't necessarily have the experience in the media of paint, pen & ink, whatever.

Back to modeling for a moment...
It's frequently used-and abused-but it's just a medium, very akin to photography, which did't gain acceptance as a "true" art form until the 1950s.

Here's to a New Millenium of tolerance and open-eyedness!

My Best,

Gary

P.S.-Welles; I like your sculpting