What is Art?
It sounds like a question asked in a high school art class, but it has been running around in my head for a while now; that ubiquitous idea that art can be defined. As far s a technical definition, yes it can. Websters dictionary defines art as the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance. Beyond that, sill I have to say yes, but not in any conventional sense. Art as an idea, as an expression is far larger than something that can be quantified in a simple equation or a structure that can be quickly and simply replicated on an assembly line. What defines art is, quite frankly, a personal thing. It is something that you have to define for yourself. There is a lot of truth in that old line, I dont know art but I know what I like: What defines art is a very personal thing and what moves one person can cause another to say, What the fuck is that supposed to be? Trying to force your view on art on someone else is a fruitless pursuit; and to ell the truth even if you could persuade someone, why would you expend the effort. Every person has their own birthright, to decide what they like and what they dont. In life, if you find others who share your viewpoint, it is a magnificent thing. If you dont, then it is still magnificent because there is something that moves you to joy, to sorrow and to ecstasy. And if what stirs your soul doesnt have the same effect to another, well, too fucking bad. There is a lot of art that I quite frankly, dont get. Ive seen stuff that I thought was so bad I wouldnt wipe my ass with, but if thats what you like, then thats ok by me, just dont expect me to organize a gallery show for it.
This leads to a question, in fact many questions that will plague me for a while; what is my art? What moves me and what do I want to create? What is the mark I want to leave on other people? Do I even care what other people think? How do I get to a place where I can create what speaks to me? How to I define what my vision of art is, if only to myself? And, if I can use such a clichd artistic term, what is my voice? And trust me, never in my life would I have guessed Id say anything like that. So at the moment, I find myself on a journey of self discovery, one in my humble opinion I should have undertaken years ago. Although it is late, it is far from too late. I dont feel any different than I did when I was in high school, although perhaps Im a bit more jaded than I was then. Even though, I am still optimistic enough to believe that I can make my mark in art, if only to myself and maybe a few others that my share my vision. Anyone brave or foolish enough to join me on this quest, I say thank you, and maybe, secretly to myself, wonder just a bit about your sanity.
It sounds like a question asked in a high school art class, but it has been running around in my head for a while now; that ubiquitous idea that art can be defined. As far s a technical definition, yes it can. Websters dictionary defines art as the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance. Beyond that, sill I have to say yes, but not in any conventional sense. Art as an idea, as an expression is far larger than something that can be quantified in a simple equation or a structure that can be quickly and simply replicated on an assembly line. What defines art is, quite frankly, a personal thing. It is something that you have to define for yourself. There is a lot of truth in that old line, I dont know art but I know what I like: What defines art is a very personal thing and what moves one person can cause another to say, What the fuck is that supposed to be? Trying to force your view on art on someone else is a fruitless pursuit; and to ell the truth even if you could persuade someone, why would you expend the effort. Every person has their own birthright, to decide what they like and what they dont. In life, if you find others who share your viewpoint, it is a magnificent thing. If you dont, then it is still magnificent because there is something that moves you to joy, to sorrow and to ecstasy. And if what stirs your soul doesnt have the same effect to another, well, too fucking bad. There is a lot of art that I quite frankly, dont get. Ive seen stuff that I thought was so bad I wouldnt wipe my ass with, but if thats what you like, then thats ok by me, just dont expect me to organize a gallery show for it.
This leads to a question, in fact many questions that will plague me for a while; what is my art? What moves me and what do I want to create? What is the mark I want to leave on other people? Do I even care what other people think? How do I get to a place where I can create what speaks to me? How to I define what my vision of art is, if only to myself? And, if I can use such a clichd artistic term, what is my voice? And trust me, never in my life would I have guessed Id say anything like that. So at the moment, I find myself on a journey of self discovery, one in my humble opinion I should have undertaken years ago. Although it is late, it is far from too late. I dont feel any different than I did when I was in high school, although perhaps Im a bit more jaded than I was then. Even though, I am still optimistic enough to believe that I can make my mark in art, if only to myself and maybe a few others that my share my vision. Anyone brave or foolish enough to join me on this quest, I say thank you, and maybe, secretly to myself, wonder just a bit about your sanity.