Chuck Close has an almost photographic memory for things that are flat, but for 3 dimensional things that move around – things like faces – he is effectively blind. His work is built around his talent, and his disability. Through the detailed grids, Close can learn about the faces of people he cares about and commit them to memory. The portraits are his way of connecting to people.
This is one of the many examples showing why I get so danged giddy when someone says they have a limitation for the “normal” way of doing things. We all have limitations and challenges in various forms. It’s adaptations to these challenges that can inspire the most interesting and original creative responses. Creative responses are part of the magic in authentic and engaging artwork. So – what are your challenges?
Curious about what a man with face blindness can see? Check out the Radiolab interview below, featuring Chuck Close and Oliver Sacks. I love listening to them talk about their experiences. This interview is one of my favorites.
“When you’re this way, you have to find other avenues for your intelligence.” – Rauschenberg as quoted by Close
[divider line_type=”Small Line
About Face
Oliver Sacks, the famous neuroscientist and author, can’t recognize faces. Neither can Chuck Close, the great artist known for his enormous paintings of…that’s right, faces.
Oliver and Chuck–both born with the condition known as Face Blindness–have spent their lives decoding who is saying hello to them. You can sit down with either man, talk to him for an hour, and if he sees you again just fifteen minutes later, he will have no idea who you are. (Unless you have a very squeaky voice or happen to be wearing the same odd purple hat.) Chuck and Oliver tell Robert what it’s like to live with Face Blindness in a conversation recorded for the World Science Festival, and they describe two very different ways of coping with their condition (which may be more common than we think).
Quiz time Watch this video, and test your face recognition skills
Thursdays are vocabulary day in our 30 day challenge. Our inspiration is actually two words: smatchet / menge, both from A.Word.A.Day with the incredible wordsmith Anu Garg. smatchet PRONUNCIATION: (SMACH-uht) MEANING: noun: An insignificant contemptible person.ETYMOLOGY: Of Scottish origin. Earliest documented use: 1582.USAGE: “Again he wondered how Mieka could be such an infuriating, impossible little …
The League is turning three years old. I am proud to say we are growing and thriving both as a school, and as a community of artists. We are an art school of collected individuals, an art school where no one creates artwork in the same way, and every artist has a story. This diversity …
I’m collecting images to share for week three of the SAL Challenge. I’ll post them tomorrow. One more day left in the 31 day creative challenge. Get your sketches up!
I am interested in showcasing pictures that illustrate the very strange 6′ social distancing rule. Open to any media (photography, drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, etc). Must be a League member to submit. Please email your works to ruthiev(at)seattleartistleague.com. Include your name, the artwork’s title, size and materials, and your website/social media page. Send your images …
Chuck Close; About Face
Chuck Close has an almost photographic memory for things that are flat, but for 3 dimensional things that move around – things like faces – he is effectively blind. His work is built around his talent, and his disability. Through the detailed grids, Close can learn about the faces of people he cares about and commit them to memory. The portraits are his way of connecting to people.
This is one of the many examples showing why I get so danged giddy when someone says they have a limitation for the “normal” way of doing things. We all have limitations and challenges in various forms. It’s adaptations to these challenges that can inspire the most interesting and original creative responses. Creative responses are part of the magic in authentic and engaging artwork. So – what are your challenges?
Curious about what a man with face blindness can see? Check out the Radiolab interview below, featuring Chuck Close and Oliver Sacks. I love listening to them talk about their experiences. This interview is one of my favorites.
“When you’re this way, you have to find other avenues for your intelligence.” – Rauschenberg as quoted by Close
[divider line_type=”Small Line
About Face
Oliver Sacks, the famous neuroscientist and author, can’t recognize faces. Neither can Chuck Close, the great artist known for his enormous paintings of…that’s right, faces.
Oliver and Chuck–both born with the condition known as Face Blindness–have spent their lives decoding who is saying hello to them. You can sit down with either man, talk to him for an hour, and if he sees you again just fifteen minutes later, he will have no idea who you are. (Unless you have a very squeaky voice or happen to be wearing the same odd purple hat.) Chuck and Oliver tell Robert what it’s like to live with Face Blindness in a conversation recorded for the World Science Festival, and they describe two very different ways of coping with their condition (which may be more common than we think).
GUESTS:
Chuck Close and Dr. Oliver Sacks
Player or link not working? CLICK HERE to go to Radiolab.
Related Posts
30SAL Challenge: Smatchet / Menge
Thursdays are vocabulary day in our 30 day challenge. Our inspiration is actually two words: smatchet / menge, both from A.Word.A.Day with the incredible wordsmith Anu Garg. smatchet PRONUNCIATION: (SMACH-uht) MEANING: noun: An insignificant contemptible person.ETYMOLOGY: Of Scottish origin. Earliest documented use: 1582.USAGE: “Again he wondered how Mieka could be such an infuriating, impossible little …
League Artist: Wendy Lumsdaine
The League is turning three years old. I am proud to say we are growing and thriving both as a school, and as a community of artists. We are an art school of collected individuals, an art school where no one creates artwork in the same way, and every artist has a story. This diversity …
SAL Challenge: Week 3 Favorites Posted Soon
I’m collecting images to share for week three of the SAL Challenge. I’ll post them tomorrow. One more day left in the 31 day creative challenge. Get your sketches up!
Call for Art: 6′ of Space
I am interested in showcasing pictures that illustrate the very strange 6′ social distancing rule. Open to any media (photography, drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, etc). Must be a League member to submit. Please email your works to ruthiev(at)seattleartistleague.com. Include your name, the artwork’s title, size and materials, and your website/social media page. Send your images …