"First....you continue to do museum quality work. Simply stunning!!" <----- This is quite true , I agree
"As far as the figure discussion, I think figures would detract from this dio"
.I've never heard of figures "detracting from a Dio", unless they are poorly done, or ill-chosen to do the job of telling said story. I supose if one didn't possess the skills to populate a scene well, then it may be a mistake to try to do so, or require that person to enter a new skill-building phase.
"The story is in the starkness of the alley. "
In this case there really isn't a "story" per se---the story is a lack of a story---as Narayan explained the final outcome of this will be to convey how boring it is looking out a typical hotel window. {To spend the time studying a scene like this through the eyes of the artist is what this scene is.} Narayan and I have discussed before that what is "backround" to other scene builders is" subject" to him, particularly when carried to his level of detail. <----This I have to accept, and be grateful I have recieved any explaination at all, as most art doesn't afford us this oppertunity.
I made the suggestion of the Dark Knight figure, and appearently I touched on a connection the artist had made himself --- "Bingo" ---I could have just as well said"Spiderman", but I like Edmund's idea of the lone gunman even better-----of course all these ideas are entirely second-hand. Ed nor I had thought up this project in the 1st place and so can't have as clear an idea what it's really meant to be as it's maker. This is quite often the case with artworks, that we never really surmise what it is the artist is expressing, we only know that there is something to it, even in the case of an art-fraud, which are as subjective as accepted art pieces often enough.
Are Narayan's work's Dioramas? Not by the criteria givin in judging model contests. This is an entirely unimportaint distinction however---the reality of the scene is undeniable,the artist's devotion to his pursuit readily appearent, and the fact that we spend this sort of time considering these quesions may only add to the mystery of it's origins~~~~~~~~
You go into great detail breaking each sentence apart to discuss the art. Art is opinion....everyones will be different based on their perspective and experiences, I gave mine.
I grew up in NYC and saw many an alley like this one....it touched an experience
The idea of the figure....it is like sitting on a deserted beach watching the waves....if someone suddenly enters the picture it detracts from the experience.....
The story......there is the story each of us want to make based on our experience....
Diorama.....who really cares what judges think. If you build for judges you are not a modeler or artist, you are an assembler and trophy hound. You cannot use the "judging" criteria for a diorama in this case. What has been created is a fantastic landscape.
Lastly.....do I understand an artist......well my daughter is one.....everyone of us who build models are trying to be one..somewhat..... but Narayan is truly an artist beyound reproach!!
Rounds COmplete!!