Artists Interview Artists: Joseph Barbaccia

Joseph Barbaccia, a local artist, participates in the Artist Interview Artists Project. Below Joseph responds to another artist's five questions (Josh Feldman from San Francisco). In order to participate, Joseph had to provide me with five questions for some other artist to answer. The assigning of questions to artists is completely random. If you're an artist and interested in participating, let me know.

Sustenance
Mixed media, stainless steel ladle, ploychromed wood
11"H x 7"W x 3.5"D
2005

1. Do you ever say to yourself, "What the fuck am I doing?" If so, what do you do to get past it?

Yes, I sometimes wonder. I stop wondering and keep working.

2. What's your feeling about the idea that, "If the general public doesn't understand contemporary art, it's not because they are stupid, it's because art has gotten stupid." Do you agree?

I don’t agree. The general public has nothing to do with art except for the fact that artists are a part of it. Art cannot be stupid. The stupidity label is a self critical reaction of our responses to art.

3. Name something you've done to further yourself as an artist that you thought wouldn't be successful but was, and something you thought would be great but wasn't.

The question doesn’t make sense. Why would I consciously do something to further myself as an artist and not think it would be successful? As far as something being great; time will tell. Every piece I conceive has potential to be great. It’s the failure of insight and craft that hinder greatness.

4. The business side of being an artist: how do you market/promote yourself, and does it work? How do you cope? Any juicy dealer stories? Do you even care?

I email images of my art work as I complete fabrication. I also attend openings, participate on Art Blogs, and submit myself to competitions. Does it work? Work in what way? I care about sharing my work and thoughts.

5. If you had an uninhibited alter-ego who could make any type of art at all, what kind of art would he/she be doing? Describe it.

Egos are diplomats by definition. They are part of the personality which maintains a balance between our impulses (id) and our conscience (superego). I believe the ego’s part is to manifest art. Actualize it. If what the question means is what kind of objects my ID would be channeling for my ego to produce; just take a look at the most recent pieces on my website.

Bling
Mixed media, polystyrene, sequins
7"H x 22"W x 13"D
2005

Previous Interviews:
Juno Doran (questions by James W. Bailey)
Josh Feldman (questions by Joseph Barbaccia)
Lisa Stephenson (questions by Whitney Lynn)

Comments

[Kathleen]

"1. Do you ever say to yourself, "What the fuck am I doing?" If so, what do you do to get past it?

Yes, I sometimes wonder. I stop wondering and keep working."

Just wanted to give a shout out to both the question and the answer. Awesome. Certainly gave me a good laugh just now.

[AAS]

nice site, Kathleen!

[shakiya robinson]

what type of media do you use