What is art?

12/6/2012

This discussion came up in a class recently. The professor asked us four questions:

1.) What do you want art to do?
2.) What do you think art is to the common American?*
3.) What do you want art to be for the common American?*
4.) Why are you an artist?

I was going to post my answers to this, but I think I'll leave just the questions for a week or so. I'm interested to know what you think. Let me know!

*I hadn't predicted that this post would draw commenters from non-Americans. I welcome any thoughts, so please change the questions as needed!

2 Comments

LIonel Curtis Fry link

12/6/2012 11:25:12 am

1.) What do you want art to do?
A: Fill my mind and environment
2.) What do you think art is to the common Australian?
A: Weird, not important
3.) What do you want art to be for the common Australan?
A: Exciting invigorating fun cool magic , and everywhere
4.) Why are you an artist?
A: no choice really, have always wanted to draw paint sculpt make films design objects furniture and stage sets just love art

Molly link

12/6/2012 09:31:13 pm

1. I want art to invite me to think or to feel. (I spent some time thinking about what verb to use there. I started with "make" but that didn't seem right. Then tried "allow" but that was too passive.) I also want it to entertain.

2. I think that the "common American" sees art as something beautiful or ornamental or decorative. Art is equally the cheap print he or she bought at TJ Maxx, as it is the Picasso in the museum.

3. I want art to be for the "common American" the same thing that I want it to be for myself.

4. I'm afraid I have a very simple answer for this one. I don't do art because "I have a NEED to express myself." I can express myself perfectly well with words, thank you very much. I do art because it's fun. Period. I enjoy creating, and I happen to have found a medium that I'm pretty good at (singing). I enjoy the social, collaborative aspect musical art. I have a raucus good time when I get together with other musicians to create something greater than the sum of its parts. AND I'd be lying If I didn't also mention how much I love having an audience. I do musical art because I like it when people watch me, and applaud me, and complement me when I succeed. I think that last bit is something that many artists/musicians/entertainers are reluctant to acknowledge. Because it's selfish? Arrogant? Because we're taught that it's rude to hog the spotlight. But then this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo9pU1q8sy8

Ok, I'm done.

What is art?

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