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Call it art; Charge a lot more for it.

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  • Member since
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Posted by mlehman on Friday, July 25, 2014 4:44 PM

Keep in mind that those tending to favor the possibility of art aren't suggesting such a definition be imposed on anyone. It's there to pick from just like "newbie," "scratch-builder," "kit basher," or "armchair model railroader."

I wonder why those disfavoring the idea of model railroading as an art are so insistent that what others do couldn't possibly be doing such a thing?

I don't presume to speak for them. Why are the anti-model-railroading-as-art so insistent that how others choose to describe their work is wrong? After all, those who create something know better than anyone what it is they made, whether it's an art or a craft.

How one describes one's identity is a fundamental human right, but it's still far too common that some people want to impose a label on you, rather than accept you as you are, as you choose to describe yourself.

Heck, I wouldn't even decsribe all I do as art and my guess is most of the artists in the crowd wouldn't either. The art didn't really start, except for some backdrop painting, until the track and basic scenery forms were in as far as the layout is concerned. Other projects have greater or lesser degrees of art. We all know we couldn't survive by art alone, any more than most of us could get by on our good looks.Laugh

Yep, I stick to part-time art, because some folks start looking at me kinada funny if I use too much of it.Cool

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

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  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Friday, July 25, 2014 5:40 PM

"In for a penny , in for a pound".Smile, Wink & Grin

BRAKIE
Nope no art here either just a transportation system that runs between point A,B and C.

So with your somewhat pragmatic view, Larry, as these are of a transportation systems motive power, how whould you describe these?

http://i968.photobucket.com/albums/ae169/antiquesofworcester/P1050229.jpg

http://streamlinermemories.info/Steam/EmpireState.jpg

or these?

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05_03/locomotive0805_800x340.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t461/165thspc/TypicalWartimeLoco_zps864a12a9.jpg

If there was copies of the fourth example done of my favourite NZR Ja locomotive I'd have one framed on my wall.

Cheers, the Bear.Smile

PS. what a terribly boring world it would be if we all agreed on every thing.Sad

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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  • From: Finger Lakes
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Posted by howmus on Friday, July 25, 2014 5:52 PM

JaBear...

Concerning #2...  The museum I volunteer at, the Rochester and Genesee Valley RR Museum now owns the cars in that picture. 

OK, back to our regularly scheduled debate...

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
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  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Friday, July 25, 2014 6:02 PM

Off Topic

howmus
JaBear... Concerning #2...  The museum I volunteer at, the Rochester and Genesee Valley RR Museum now owns the cars in that picture. 

I have done a "virtual" visit before Ray  but hadn't realised. 

Thanks, the Bear.

 

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

  • Member since
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  • From: OH
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Posted by BRAKIE on Friday, July 25, 2014 6:28 PM

Bear,What you are looking at is calender and advertisement drawings/ paintings-these art renderings of locomotives and passenger cars was to push the idea of speed,power and luxury.Freight cars behind the engine was a symbol of fast freight service with big modern locomotives.

The beloved Chessie the cat was nothing more then a advertising tool for C&O.

Did you know Chessie had a husband named Peake and they had three kittens?

Peake was dressed as a solider during WWII.

All rendered in beautiful paintings.

 

And yes it would be boring if we all agreed..

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
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  • From: OH
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Posted by BRAKIE on Friday, July 25, 2014 6:38 PM

howmus
I bring this up only for consideration amongst this group. I like philosophy, BTW!

Cool!

I like certain types of railroad art like the art renderings railroads used in their advertisements and company calenders..Locomotive manufacturers also used art renderings of new  locomotives in railroad trade magazines and Trains Magazines.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 918 posts
Posted by Kyle on Monday, July 28, 2014 2:08 AM

I mostly consider paintings art.  Now sculpters are considered art.  I guess you can call models are. 

Recently I saw a cool coffee table with a glass top and a sculpter of sea turtles underneath. It is considered art and was priced at $28,000!  No that is not a typo, it was $28,000.  I could buy a nice car or boat for that price.  Now imagin if you had that much to build a layout.  You would have a very nice layout with DCC and sound equipped locomotives.  You could also get a nice solid wood coffee table too.

Art is cool, but for the prices they charge, I wouldn't buy it unless I had millions of dollars.

To be honest, if someone asked me put design a modern metal sculpter, I would get an old locomotive, paint it, and put rails down.  And it would look better than some of those mangled metal prices they call art.

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