Definitions of weblogs (blogs)
- “a hierarchy of text, images, media objects and data, arranged chronologically, that can be viewed in an HTML browser” (Harvard dictionary)
- “a discussion or informational site published on the World Wide Web and consisting of discrete entries (‘posts’) typically displayed in reverse chronological order” (Wikipedia)
- a journal that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption; informal; grouped by date; with links to older posts; informative and/or inspiring; frequently linked to other sites; addictive for bloggers (adapted from Blogger Forum)
- “a meandering, blatantly uninteresting online diary that gives the author the illusion that people are interested in their stupid pathetic life” (Urban Dictionary)
Previous research:
Susan Herring (Indiana University, 2004)
•Neither fundamentally new, nor unique genre
•Appeared in 1996 as a format, and 1997 as weblog (even 1991)
•A bridge between the multimedia HTML documents and text-based computer-mediated communication (CMC)
•A hybrid genre with multiple sources
•Made possible by free software (Blogger, Wordpress)
•Exponentially increasing in number (from 2.1 millions in 2004 to 181 millions at the end of 2011, our note)
•Classification: 4 main types (personal journals—70%; filters = reviewing other blogs—12%; k-logs= offering information on certain subjects, and mixed)
•Generic features: archives, badges, images, comments, links, calendar, guest book; frequency of posting cca. 5 days; reverse chronological order
Miller & Shepherd (North Carolina Univ.): the social function of blogs = the need to establish relations between selves
Herring & al. (2006): gender and age study of weblogs (women and teenagers are active bloggers)
Laurie McNeill ( Univ. of Michigan, 2005): the journey of the written diary to the new web genre; the community of “netizens”
Jan Schmidt (Bamberg Univ. Germany, 2007) compares the different uses of the blog format
Cornelius Puschmann (Humboldt Univ. of Berlin, 2009) focuses on corporate blogs; in his 2010 published Ph.D. thesis he compares personal and corporate blogs; the “supergenre” of the personal blog; “the genre of the people”; “the blog prototype”
Art blog vs. artist's blog
Art blog vs. artist’s blog: art blogs may be written by other persons than artists (even institutions) and refer to art more or less in general; artist’s blogs are written by artists themselves and refer to art in particular; art, here = visual art
An occupational-type of blog: occupations may include professional activities as well; art may or may not be the profession of the artist, but it certainly is his/her occupation; a “professional” blog may suggest that there are other blogs that could be negatively tagged as “unprofessional”
Communicative Purposes:
Keeping up-to-date with the art world (artists as readers and writers of blogs; their audiences)
Keeping in touch with the latest successful practices in your own field
Establishing oneself as an expert in the field (with possible professional and market benefits)
Marketing oneself (a cheap way of displaying own art and gaining public)
Advertising oneself (cheaply and efficiently)
Advertising another personal website (dedicated to sales)
Selling own works directly (“buy now” button)
Creating a successful artistic practice = creating art, showing it, telling people about it, interacting with the public and fellow artists; blogging as part of the practice
Arousing and maintaining interest in own art and practice (through frequent posts and good content)
Increase visibility in the art world (the networking of blogs, blogrolls, links)
Sharing own experience(s) and techniques
Getting to know oneself better (in-depth writing and thinking)
Recording thoughts, experiences, and practices (a kind of personal history)
Communicating with audiences (comments and replies)
Getting feedback (to keep, change, better market own art)
Adding to other writings about art in different media
Macrostructure:
•The software structure is usually maintained with some alterations; web-design graphic artists create their own blog designs
•The titles (not always the same as the URL) tend to contain the artist’s name; sometimes they offer information about the artist (“Belinda Joynes: Artist, imaginarian and daydream believer”, “Kelly Kilmer. Artist and Instructor”), sometimes they try to be as catchy as possible (“The haunted hollow tree”, “adripndrop.blogspot.com: Artsy fartsy life”, “Notes from the Voodoo Café”)
•Most of the blogs are independent; very few are part of other websites or homepages
•Information about the artists is provided in almost all of the 30 blogs (more or less overtly), mainly through the “About” button (sincerity, authenticity)
•Credentials and assuming some degree of expertise – present in the great majority of the blogs
•Information about the intended content of the blog is offered in more than a half
•The life expanse of the blogs (from 3-5 years to 8-9 years) and the frequency of posting (from once to six-eight times a month) prove that blogging is perceived by their authors as part of their art practice
•All of the typical macro features of the blog are present (reverse chronological order, archives, blogrolls, badges, tags/labels, sharing tools, statistics of visitors) to a great extent, proving that the artist’s blog is a sub-type of the blog prototype
•The intensive use of images (photographs, drawings, sketches) and other visuals (videos) is a particularity of the artist’s blog, very consistent with the nature of art itself
Microstructure:
Headers: title of the post (reflecting the work/event) + information about the date of post + reverse chronology
Footers: author + exact time of posting + tags + sharing tools + comments ( = a typical blog microfeature, re-creating a conversation type of discourse)
Links: IntraLinks (to own posts) +/- hyperlinks (to other blogs/sites)
Intensive use of images
Texts/words are used to explain the process of creation, the progress of a work, are complementary to images
Artist blog types:
Mixed = journal entries + tutorials + reviews + advertorials + news
Filter = review of exhibitions and other blogs
Other = a “blogazine” (blog + magazine + forum + TV section + newsletter)
Discourse particularities:
Register: none of them was formal; they tend to range from neutral to different degrees of familiarity (consistent with the communicative purposes)
Modes of discourse: all of them, with a prevalence of the narrative mode (personal experience, descriptive narrative of the process of creation, of work-in-progress, reporting events); descriptions of the type “recipe-giving”; describing a work of art; expository and argumentative – mainly in the reviewing type of blogs
Discourse strategies: analyzing works (describing + interpreting + evaluating), reviewing, recipe-giving, labeling, story-telling, commenting, confessing, reporting, interviewing (taken from journalism), quoting, paraphrasing, acknowledging sources as footnotes (taken from scientific writing), monologuing
Rhetorical devices: metaphors, similes, hyperboles, rhetorical questions, repetitions, colloquialism, humor, (self-) irony, imprecation
Morphological features:
The 1st person pronoun “I”, expressing subjectivity is used to give the feeling of authenticity; in the relationship with
The 2nd person pronoun “you”- to re-create an “authentic” speech situation; the reader is part of the whole process of creation, actively involved
Very few cases of the 3rd person pronoun (with self-reference), trying to suggest some detachment and objectivity
Qualifiers are largely used (some less formal superlatives)
Tenses: mainly past (for narratives); present (for descriptions); future (e.g. for plans to develop certain themes, to use a new technique, etc)
Interjections (colloquialism)
Text entries:
A relatively small number of paragraphs, coherently sequenced, accompanied by many images
Rather short (some exceptions range from no text at all to very large texts)
Special typing (upper case in some words to stress upon)
Unusual spelling (“little birdie in da house”, “y’all”)
Internet slang /Acronyms (XOXO=hugs and kisses; X=kiss; O = hug; XX = two kisses; LOL = laughing out loud, OMG = oh, my god!; DIY = do-it-yourself)
Repetitions of some letters (“Yiiiiii!”), suggesting some emotional state
Emoticons: J - smiley face; =)) - laugh; L - sad face
Why should artists blog?
Task1: Answer the above question, after following the link (click on the question).
one more tip: (you need to click)
Deadline: May 28
g work of art, event
From all available avenues of self-promotion, one of the cheapest and most effective options is blogging. This not only helps showcase your art, but it also foster a meaningful relationship between you, your art, and the audience while improving your visibility and supporting your endeavors as an artist.
ReplyDeleteAn artist can easily narrate their creative process through blogging which synthesizes the descriptions that people were already interested in. People have an equal interest in the process, the inspiration, and the meaning behind the artwork as they do in the final piece. A blog opens up neue possibilities towards this with creativity and imagination increasing relatability and memorability for potential buyers and fans.
Increased visibility on the web by blogging leads to improved visibility across search engines. A blog proves beneficial for improving one’s search rankings on search engines through basic SEO principles. It creates a flow of fresh content for search engines to index leading to increased chances of visibility which most artists seek.
A blog gives your audience a platform where they can actively participate in adding value to your content that is otherwise beyond you. They can leave comments, give suggestions, or even ask questions increasing both trust and web-page engagement which ultimately leads to art sales, commissions, or collaborations.
In blogs, artists capture the chronicles of their work, which offers them a chance to grow professionally. For artists, self-improvement and showcasing the evolution of work becomes effortless with blog tools and is easily achieved through documenting progress and experiments reflections
I think artists should blog because it offers a unique and powerful way to share their creative journey, build a loyal audience, and grow their art career. A blog serves as an online hub,a personal space where artists can showcase their portfolio, explain the inspiration behind their work, and give insight into their techniques and process. This not only makes their art more accessible and relatable, but also builds trust and emotional connection with viewers, which can lead to more meaningful engagement and sales. Unlike fleeting social media posts, blog content is long-lasting and searchable, helping artists stay visible online over time. It also opens up opportunities to teach, share advice, document progress, and connect with other artists. Whether you're looking to sell artwork, attract commissions, or simply tell your story, blogging gives artists a voice and presence that can make a lasting impact.
ReplyDeleteArtists should have a blog because it allows them to share the stories behind their work, connect with their audience on a deeper level, and build a personal brand beyond just visuals. A blog offers a space to explain creative processes, show the progress you re making, announce upcoming events, and reflect on artistic growth. It also improves online visibility, helping new audiences discover the artist’s work. Ablog is a powerful tool for artists to express their voice, attract opportunities, and establish a lasting presence in the art community.
ReplyDeleteMoldovan Andreea 3rd photo-video
ReplyDeleteBlogging allows artists to extend the canvas beyond the visual, into language, narrative, and thought. It transforms a solitary act of creation into a shared experience, where the artwork is not just seen but understood. In a world overwhelmed by fast-scrolling visuals, a blog becomes a quiet space where an artist can slow time, unpack the chaos of inspiration, and give context to their vision. It’s not about marketing first, it’s about meaning.
For me, blogging is a form of artistic reflection. It’s where unfinished thoughts take shape, where failed experiments are honored, and where vulnerability becomes part of the art itself. It's a digital sketchbook, not curated for perfection, but alive with process, questions, and raw creativity. In that sense, blogging isn't just a promotional tool it's a continuation of the art practice, one that invites others not just to look, but to think, feel, and connect.
Maties Iulia Grafica 1
ReplyDeleteAnswering the question 'why should artists have e blog?'
I think having a blog as an artist isn’t just about promoting your work, it’s about making space to reflect. Social media is fast and fleeting, but a blog lets you slow down and really think about what you’re doing, why you're doing it, and where you’re headed. It’s a place to be honest, not polished.
For me, writing helps clarify ideas that aren’t always obvious when I’m in the middle of creating. It’s also a way to connect with people, not just showing them what I made, but inviting them into the thoughts and emotions behind it. In a way, it becomes part of the artwork itself.