گفتگو با آبان اطمینان هنرمند و مدرس نقاشی به بهانه افتتاحیه هشتمین نمایشگاه نقاشی هنرجویان آموزشگاه هنرمعاصر
با عنوان ” این یک کلاه نیست ”
Farouq Mazlumi, 17th apr(online media dedicated to visual arts & culture)
An interview with Aban Etminan, artist and art teacher, On the occasion of the opening of the eighth painting exhibition of her students from the Art Institute(Honare moaser)
Titled as “This is not a hat”
Students’ works
Participants:Tanin Boniadlu, Niayesh Sabokruh, Taraneh Karimi, Radin Ahmady, Hana Afrang, Danial Ahmady, Farbod Imani, Vafa Simiab, Diana Ghasemi, Selena Rezazadeh, Aylin AliAbasy, Sevda Pari, Maziar Khubehi, Tara Omani, Sarina Sharifinia, Helia Jafary, Taha Sobhani, Romina Abbasy, Marina Abbasi, Nila Bidar, Anita Aghayi, Ayli Hesari Far, Vania Hesari far, Aria Alimahmudi, Ayshin Soltanparast
International Cultural Center-gallery number 1,3. 15th apr - 21apr 2018
During the years, I was living in Urmia; I used to go to Honare Moaser whenever I got the chance to escape my tiring and technical job. When I realized that the instructors in this institute are teaching children outside of the normal realm of art, it really made me hopeful. I am a fan of art as a sensitive person. My reactions towards the art of children, Aban Etminan and Shayan Asadzadeh are undefinable for myself. What I could say When a child, regardless of his master's world, has created his own personal world. They have started to step on a path with the little artists, which is fortunately endless.
If the creation of an art becomes possible, by the escape of the artist from the material world, then kids are the most lucid and free artists. Children fly as they paint a bird. They flow through the rivers and shower like the rain. These small artists have a bigger world than the canvas and paperwork. They teach more than they learn. The children’s educating is like accompanying them through this process rather than giving orders or homework. These artists, loyal to the form and image, are creating masterpieces with their tiny hands.
Instead of criticizing the works of children outside of any interpretation and explanation, it is better to just narrate the works of these pure and courageous artists, especially when looking at the work of the students of Honare Moaser. Because, fortunately their instructor is focusing more on accompanying them than ordering. Calling a kid’s art “wrong” is wrong itself because they have their own measures. A child’s world has its own rules, which is an ever-changing subject, in other words, their world is lawless. When looking at the artwork of the students "It's not a hat", the misconception of these great artists is very correct. They have a simple, selfish understanding of their perspective, and because of their age, they are still unfamiliar with the laws of perspective and, incidentally, and it is better not to familiarize them with this subject they will get their own perspective on canvas or paper.
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Honare Moaser Institute has been established since the year 2011 by Kosar (Aban) Etminan and is still under her supervision in the field of specialized education of children and adolescents in the field of visual arts. The main method is based on indirect teaching and relying on psychological experiences. Using all the visual arts in order to complement each other in order to create an opportunity for the development of the conscious and unconscious abilities of children. Read a friendly conversation with the founder of the Honare Moaser, Aban Etminan.
How did you start your career?
I became interested in the subject art and children when I was 19. During my bachelor’s degree, I passed a course named Children’s Art, since then I am working in the field of children’s art. I started teaching art to children at my professor’s studio; I also focused in children’s psychology. Along with the kids, I thought adults too. I have thought in many universities. Although some may say that teaching to adults is easier because of the specific syllabus and more clear procedure, for me it was an impossible job.
Since clearing their minds from “art” that has clearly a wrong image in their minds was a tiring and absurd thing do, because our relation was based upon grades and not art itself.
How do you interpret children’s art?
Children’s art is so much enjoyable, they observe their environments with open minds because they are not occupied with stereotypes and they are more eager to learn. They are very creative with materials, colors, paper and canvas. They are easily trained which can be problematic if the instructor is not qualified enough, this may mislead them. Many parents complain that our child loved painting but after the art class, he/she is not painting anymore, this is one of the examples of wrong education. One need to be so sensitive and creative to be able to influence the children. In my classes, I am also a student, I do not only teach them, I also learn from them.
Children's art goes far beyond fun, they start to create masterpieces and their personality is grown and formed by their paintings.
Each child is trained with a unique personality and regarding to his or her own physical and mental abilities. Considering that sensitivity is formed in childhood, painting is the basis of children's learning creativity. Our goal is to provide a vibrant and refreshing artistic environment for the right guidance of children's interests. Educations such as painting, pottery, photography, design, creative presentation, as a group and individual, are conducted as a purpose-oriented and scientifically non-stereotypical activity. Furthermore, we try to improve the innovative development of inner thoughts and emotions, strengthening visual memory, aesthetic sensation, recognizing and expressing feelings.
One way to train children before anything else that helps their education process is drawing. color and image more than anything else, help the child to become self-aware, they think, talk and live through painting. These are psychological aspects, But when we look at the artistic aspect as a painter, these are works of art, they have the power to distinguish from the form, abstract art. They dare to use their fantasy and make beautiful compositions. Each of my students has unique artistic courses for themselves. A child who paints nonstop for four-eight years can paint like an artist like a painter who knows how to use canvas, paper, brush, and even they have a clear view of their environment.
What is the relationship between children-education and imagination of children? How do you reconcile these free artists with some necessary rules? Is there a peaceful relation between childish imagination and adults’ rules in art?
Every child is born with creativity and imagination, which are not teachable but to be preserved and nourished. They complete each other and this is our job to give our children the courage to imagine and be creative. We need to create a safe environment for children. Most of the time, parents expect their children to be creative and innovative in the future, but they need to be reminded that dreaming and creativity are shaped in the children's own reality. Since a child's painting is a completely different category from an adult's painting, we should not impose adult's painting rules ex. between the age 4-8, so they would not harm the child's painting principles.
Children are among the most peaceful people in the world.
In the beginning of summer many art classes are available for children, which do not hold the minimum standards of art education, how do you feel about this?
In general, painting education needs science, knowledge and awareness. Yes, nowadays by using attractive titles like "creativity and painting", art is taught in inappropriate environments. Even graduates of art, teach children without proper knowledge and experience in this area. In addition, it is the parents' responsibilities to choose the best environment to their children through counseling and research.
Is there a better word for working with children other than word "teaching"?
Children are at the peak of their learning process, whether they are good or bad. The main issue is their growth. Personality development, self-confidence, feelings.... This is what our children need: A healthy environment to grow.
Although there is no end to this dialogue, I want you to finish this conversation with your own words about children and art.
According to Pablo Picasso, kids are true artists, the main point is to remain an artist and I am proud of being their colleague.
