Note on Art

Note on Art

A note from LeRoy Neiman on his artistic process and spectacle.

This note from LeRoy Neiman looks at the role of spectatorship in the artist’s creative process. Both comparing the making of his work to activities (e.g. “physical play” or “taking part in the competition”) as well as immersing himself in the hustle and bustle (he uses metaphors such as, “I am on horseback—in the ring—(throwing punches) at the plate, at the bar, table, not the field, at the wheel”), the artist collapses notions of inside and outside. It is not that Neiman envisions himself as both actor (i.e. artist) and spectator, but that through making his work on the scene, in the midst of action, the artist ventures imaginatively inside the activity itself. He then seems to say there is no division between what his going on and where he stands with regards to the piece. This more theoretical writing is but one of many touching on “action”, artistic process, and spectatorship.

LeRoy Neiman

LeRoy Neiman Foundation

LeRoy Neiman Foundation

c. 1900-2011

LeRoy Neiman

Property of the LeRoy Neiman Foundation; please consult the organization's archivist for further details.

Notes

Image/jpeg

English

Document

LN_Notes_994_01; LN_Notes_994_02

New York (N.Y.) New York

wrap-up
Self-invented, a noticer. The people who populate my work either perched on the bar stools in tap rooms or swank nite clubs or immersed (or consumed) in more action oriented physical play activities or assorted monkey shrines are [postures] on the rise or stalled. (along the way more)
Being there as apart of or taking Part in put me in the competition (home my companions) In the scene
Being at the fights or games puts me in the mist of or action
(Taking cuts) I am on horseback—in the ring—(throwing punches) at the plate, at the bar, table, on the field, at the wheel, [dining]
conversant, measuring up, A PART OF, imagining, doing trying[,] winning, loosing
A result of doing—result of being
I was there you are there
The viewer can feel or say he was there[,] because I was there.
I am there /

Date of Olympic Terrorists
World Series Poker
Poker
Relive
Exemplars
Unfamiliar angels
At the heart of

Felt-tipped pen and pencil on paper.