I often hear the question “What is art?’ or “What makes art?” or “How do you tell if something is art?”
I even had a close friend ask me, “How do you know when your are an artist?”
So I told her, “You’re an artist when you produce art.”
“Well, what is art?” she asked.
That’s when I gave in and changed the subject. The subject of what actually constitutes art is as varied with as many different answers as the number of people you ask. Everyone has an opinion about what is and isn’t art. Often the conversation turns on what isn’t art. If I don’t like it, it isn’t art. If I don’t understand it, it isn’t art. If I don’t agree with it, it isn’t art. As if invalidating the work’s right to be referred to as art is sufficient to invalidate it as work that deserves our attention and consideration. Really if one thinks about it, calling something art has more to say about the creator’s intention than the viewer’s opinion of it’s quality and success. If the maker thinks of his work as art, then it is. It’s as simple as that. Now whether it is good art, or a noble attempt, or junk is a matter for the viewer to discover for himself. And, in all the noise generated about what is or isn’t art I think the really serious question is overlooked. Not “What is art?’ but “Why is art?”
Why does art exist at all? That is the central question. When one thinks of the energy, the time, the sacrifice of money and resources societies and individuals make to produce, display and preserve art it becomes apparent that for mankind this is a pretty important activity for humankind. But, seldom does anyone seem to ask why? What necessary compelling need does art gratify? Why spend our resources on art? Why do we make art at all?
Cave paintings and stone age artifacts show us that far back in prehistory as soon as a society or tribal group reached a certain level of sophistication they began to make art. That level of sophistication wasn’t very high by our standards either. Once the group had a stable, sufficient supply of food and some kind of rudimentary social order they began to create art. Art seems to be older than the written word, in fact many believe some writing developed out of art, crude pictures representing things and later the pictures becoming stylized into pictographic writing. Granted much of the ancient cave paintings were simplified depictions of everyday events, possibly for record keeping or religious purposes. We’ve all seen photos of primitive stick figures and crudely drawn animals depicting hunts or wars or other important events and have attributed their lack of refinement to inexperience or indifference on the part of the artist. We’ve seen carved images of various primitive gods and goddesses and have supposed these objects’ lack of sophistication to be the result of crude tools and untrained hands and eyes. Certainly these factors apply to some extent. But, look closer. The makers of these ancient works also made artistic choices. If one looks at the small carvings of ancient fertility goddesses, or primitive masks, or the beautiful cave paintings in southern France, it becomes obvious that the artists are using their materials for expressive, creative purpose, to emphasize, exaggerate, and to please ascetically, and if that ain’t art, then I don’t what is.
Art has been around for longer than we can imagine. It is a common thread through all cultures and groups. It seems a compulsion unique to mankind. One thing can certainly be said about humankind. People will make art.
So why this need to make art? What does it give us? What does it say about u? What does it mean? I’m sure there are a multitude of answers to those questions. I love making art myself, but I can’t tell you exactly why I do. So help me out here. Tell me why we make art.
I even had a close friend ask me, “How do you know when your are an artist?”
So I told her, “You’re an artist when you produce art.”
“Well, what is art?” she asked.
That’s when I gave in and changed the subject. The subject of what actually constitutes art is as varied with as many different answers as the number of people you ask. Everyone has an opinion about what is and isn’t art. Often the conversation turns on what isn’t art. If I don’t like it, it isn’t art. If I don’t understand it, it isn’t art. If I don’t agree with it, it isn’t art. As if invalidating the work’s right to be referred to as art is sufficient to invalidate it as work that deserves our attention and consideration. Really if one thinks about it, calling something art has more to say about the creator’s intention than the viewer’s opinion of it’s quality and success. If the maker thinks of his work as art, then it is. It’s as simple as that. Now whether it is good art, or a noble attempt, or junk is a matter for the viewer to discover for himself. And, in all the noise generated about what is or isn’t art I think the really serious question is overlooked. Not “What is art?’ but “Why is art?”
Why does art exist at all? That is the central question. When one thinks of the energy, the time, the sacrifice of money and resources societies and individuals make to produce, display and preserve art it becomes apparent that for mankind this is a pretty important activity for humankind. But, seldom does anyone seem to ask why? What necessary compelling need does art gratify? Why spend our resources on art? Why do we make art at all?
Cave paintings and stone age artifacts show us that far back in prehistory as soon as a society or tribal group reached a certain level of sophistication they began to make art. That level of sophistication wasn’t very high by our standards either. Once the group had a stable, sufficient supply of food and some kind of rudimentary social order they began to create art. Art seems to be older than the written word, in fact many believe some writing developed out of art, crude pictures representing things and later the pictures becoming stylized into pictographic writing. Granted much of the ancient cave paintings were simplified depictions of everyday events, possibly for record keeping or religious purposes. We’ve all seen photos of primitive stick figures and crudely drawn animals depicting hunts or wars or other important events and have attributed their lack of refinement to inexperience or indifference on the part of the artist. We’ve seen carved images of various primitive gods and goddesses and have supposed these objects’ lack of sophistication to be the result of crude tools and untrained hands and eyes. Certainly these factors apply to some extent. But, look closer. The makers of these ancient works also made artistic choices. If one looks at the small carvings of ancient fertility goddesses, or primitive masks, or the beautiful cave paintings in southern France, it becomes obvious that the artists are using their materials for expressive, creative purpose, to emphasize, exaggerate, and to please ascetically, and if that ain’t art, then I don’t what is.
Art has been around for longer than we can imagine. It is a common thread through all cultures and groups. It seems a compulsion unique to mankind. One thing can certainly be said about humankind. People will make art.
So why this need to make art? What does it give us? What does it say about u? What does it mean? I’m sure there are a multitude of answers to those questions. I love making art myself, but I can’t tell you exactly why I do. So help me out here. Tell me why we make art.
