ArtBistro

Why are games more popular on an art site than discussions about art? Not that I have a problem with the "occassional" game... but why are people here spending so much time on games rather than stepping away from the computer and doing ART? Why do you have to filter through so many frivolous threads to get to anything resembling artistic interaction?

Is it just me that finds the plethora of games on the forum annoying? Sometimes I only come and look at the Portfolio section because I know I will be overwhelmed and annoyed in the Forum. Don't people know there are more amusing game sites out there? Are a bazillion posts and points the cause or do other artists really have so much more time to spend on games and amusements than working?

I am really confused regarding what could be the overwhelming attraction. Maybe I'm just cranky... what do you think?

Janice says ...

so addicting that some artists can do nothing else?

Take away the points and I would guess the interest would die down? I have a few favorite games, but I agree overall with your previous observation Janice. I am very competitve and just get caught up with it sometimes. I do it to relieve stress and boredom sometimes. I don't have any good answers for you, just more questions. Avoidence? perhaps. Maybe it's an age related thing?

I agree with you Janice. Just this week I was wondering the same thing. I find myself giving up after weeding through the huge amount of game posts 

Down with the point system!

brokencolor says ...

 I don' think it used to be as much of a problem. Many of the simple word games that seem to be popular were introduced in the last month. I still like to participate in some of the "fun" topics. But I am starting to avoid some of the word games in hope of helping to keep the forum more clear for art related topics, or maybe not to respond to more than one or two at a time. There are many good discussions that are getting buried. When people get on a run often you don't see an art topic until page three. Kinds of reminds me of how sometimes the news section has been controlled by a couple of people.

One way to find art topics may be to look at topics in the general forum (Materials, Art Bistro, etc.) or look at what art groups are posting. 

Yes I agree Jon, thanks for posting. Marty

I have a hard time seeing the fascination with the game thing too. I might post a couple of movie names and that sort of thing. I like to have fun. My main motivation in joining the Bistro was to have interactions with other artists from other places and in other places concerning art. It's something I miss from graduate school. We had critiques, threw ideas around, talked about collaborations. Since joining I have experienced that , but I get the sense that It does not happen on a wide spectrum on here, and I find that really amazing.  Someone wrote to me the other night and asked me if I would like to have more correspondence with with him regarding art. He said I was the only person he had met so far that he wanted to do that with because for the most part the Bistro came off as being a bit contrived.  And that is not aimed at anyone. Perhaps we will need to start even more threads for the basis of art discussions. I'm not sure what the solution is, but I am glad this was brought up.  L

lillyharms says ...

I have a hard time seeing the fascination with the game thing too. I might post a couple of movie names and that sort of thing. I like to have fun. My main motivation in joining the Bistro was to have interactions with other artists from other places and in other places concerning art. It's something I miss from graduate school. We had critiques, threw ideas around, talked about collaborations. Since joining I have experienced that , but I get the sense that It does not happen on a wide spectrum on here, and I find that really amazing.  Someone wrote to me the other night and asked me if I would like to have more correspondence with with him regarding art. He said I was the only person he had met so far that he wanted to do that with because for the most part the Bistro came off as being a bit contrived.  And that is not aimed at anyone. Perhaps we will need to start even more threads for the basis of art discussions. I'm not sure what the solution is, but I am glad this was brought up.  L

No way, do art, talk about art on Art Bistro? aka Art Fluff now? Why Lilly whatever are you thinking? Silly girl, art? Fluff, lot & lots of fluff. What we have here is a failure to communicate, Don't get me started, frustrated too. Saracastic. I hear you Lilly, you're not alone. Marty

Thanks for all the input on my question :) I have just been confused about the overwhelming quantity of the games. I guess it is because I really do not get a whole lot of time to saunter through things when I come in here.... I don't know how others do. Maybe as Gio said they are independently wealthy or kept or something to allow them so much leisure time... so much for the poor starving artist stereotype ;-P

lillyharms said: "Perhaps we will need to start even more threads for the basis of art discussions."

And maybe that is the best offer of constructive advice... to take back the forum with relevant topics... but I don't know if we can outdo the busybees with the game/post/point mania. In any case, we started to lay the brick floor in our new studio today. No  pictures yet, lol, but I'll be sure to post one when we complete the brick floor. Working our buns off here to keep up with kids, work and the new studio.

I may take up Jon on his advice to forget the "most recent posts" tab as well and go to general forums or groups to talk art. Avoidance might stem the annoyance factor and lead me to real interactions. Goodnight.

 I respect your opinion as I do your art and thoughts on teaching. I think you can socialize through the fun threads. I do. But when it gets so at times the first 2 or 3 pages are word topics, is that a little much? Good art topics get buried.

brokencolor says ...

 I respect your opinion as I do your art and thoughts on teaching. I think you can socialize through the fun threads. I do. But when it gets so at times the first 2 or 3 pages are word topics, is that a little much? Good art topics get buried.

Yes,brokencolor ,

        I agree that they are the ones that have gathered more responses because I guess they are quick, and easy to put ones two cents in

        quickly and this is it in a nutshell ......... (oops! sonoman sorry about the nutshell )

        People who really want good art topics will find them because they are the seekers in this group who want more than a quicky

       ( oops there I go again,) but I think they will find the threads, if indeed they are there. .

brokencolor says ...

 I see your point sanjose. I do look in the forum topics and art groups for art relalted topics. But a couple of months ago I was able to see topics on art in the forum I might not have thought about. I found them helpful. Its different now, and not better. Do people have to keep making up new 2 word games and do massive responses to them at once? When a couple of people get on a roll heaven help the thoughtful art topics.

   Yes, Brokencolor I have sensed a change, and that it is way out of balance,

   especially this week in particular,so I guess we reap what we sow, as  the old saying goes.

   Perhaps now that we all are aware the pendulum will swing back.

SheilaTS says ...

The pendulum will only swing back when certain two members stop monopolizing the threads.  If you notice they are always see their icons in the forum.  It appears the only times they are not is when they are posting News or inviting new members to be friends.

Right on Sheila, I'm not allowed or supposed to name anyone person, but I suspect we all know who they are.

Janice says ...

It might be nice if we separated "group" forums from "general" forums .... I don't know, might make it easier to either go to or escape specific types of threads... any thoughts?

 

Hmmmm.... where have I heard THAT before???

giovanni says ...

Janice says ...

 

It might be nice if we separated "group" forums from "general" forums .... I don't know, might make it easier to either go to or escape specific types of threads... any thoughts?

 

Hmmmm.... where have I heard THAT before???

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Oh great disenfranchised one,  if I have parrotted thee may I offer: Great minds think alike?

 

I have to say I have been gone for quite awhile. Real life has kept me away longer than I intended. But what have I come back to find? A very different site. Sad really.

Scaramouche says ...

I know there are too many games out there that are cluttering up the threads here. A game here and there are fine, it keeps the thoughts going and having a little bit fun. Don't want to be one of those sites where snobby Mr. and Mrs. Howl come on and say, "Dear Lovey, just love your art, so retro. you're a doll really."  But the games have taken over, and whether or not it's point mongering or not, I can't say, but you are sooner or later going to have folk who are more into chatting and meeting people for socializing. I come here to meet artists of varioius sorts and you have to feel your way through. I have Marcel, Janice, Faith, Gio and of course Jhaber, the voice of reason when madness comes to be too extreme here. But going to Gio suggested portioning a section just for Blogging while the other part was for art commentary and concerns. That's a good idea, and if some one tries to start a game, then Val just deletes it, saying it's not appropriate place or time. And if you start a game, it does count as points, just as an extra activity on the side.

 

My thoughts.

now THAT'S a GREAT idea... no points for fluff threads... (and NO grandfather clause)... the points are what fuels the fluffers... post ONE WORD... get TWO POINTS... it's not rocket science (especially for the space cadets doing it. Take away the incentive you take away the problem

 

 

Scaramouche... in Twilight's Shadow... a Dream...