What is Art - Essay

For centuries man has created and admired art ranging from the earliest cave paintings to modern pop art. As different art styles and techniques developed over time, people began to question the nature of art itself. Today’s idea of art is not limited to that which can fit inside a frame or stand on a pedestal, but rather it includes a vast spectrum of creations from ancient artisan crafts to sculptures formed from the contents found inside an average trash can. This deviation from contemporary oil paints and canvas can make one question the line between true art and when artistic claims have gone too far. However, what one might consider to be a monstrosity may very well be a masterpiece in the eyes of another. The commonly asked question, “what is art?” remains unanswerable by specific explanation. Art has no clear definition, leaving it up to each individual to decide for himself what makes a piece a work of art. Whereas one person might insist that some form of creativity and skill be used in a piece before declaring it to be art, others may just require that the piece have a purpose, whether that purpose be to exhibit a specific thought or emotion or even just to look good on display. Both artists and their spectators have individual opinions concerning each creation brought to attention, and in most cases one party may gather opinions about a work that the other may never consider. A spectator may see certain qualities in a piece that the artist had never intended just as the artist may have attempted to communicate a statement in his art that the spectator may never interpret. On a broader level, both artists and spectators may either agree or disagree on whether a piece is a work of art at all. One may argue that everyone is an artist by the virtue that people have the ability to create, therefore all human creations are works of art. This concept would then not only apply surrealist painters and impressionist sculptors but to a little kid sculpting a volcano out of his mashed potatoes and gravy. Although Junior’s mother may consider his masterpiece to be none more than a way to play with his food, the kid may very well deem the erupting Mount Tator as a product of his artistic expression. Many people also believe, however, that artist’s opinions determine if their own creations are art. According to Leo Tolstoy, “the artist should be impelled by an inner need to express his feeling” (5). For instance, one may sketch a detailed rendering of the human form just as practice for future works, however he may disclaim it to be art because it was created with no purpose to communicate to or be admired by others. This figure may be a visually perfect composition incorporating accurate human form and physically realistic highlights and shading, but as long as the artist denies it to be a piece of art it will fail to ever be such. Similarly, someone may doodle an image lacking any use of skill or talent, but as long as he had created the piece for the sake of art, it is art. It may not necessarily be good art, but it’s art nonetheless. The same may apply to a photographer developing two separate roles of film, one being a series of wildlife taken at odd angles in different lighting and the other being a roll of snapshots taken at little Billy’s fifth birthday. It’s obvious to assume that the latter wouldn’t be found on display in the local art gallery. In ancient times people often did not consider what we call art today to be art: Many of the objects we identify as art today -- Greek painted pottery, medieval manuscript illuminations, and so on -- were made in times and places when people had no concept of ‘art’ as we understand the term. These objects may have been appreciated in various ways and often admired, but not as ‘art’ in the current sense. (Witcombe 1) The same may be true for today’s society compared to societies of the future. Whereas we may consider a bridge to be none more than a necessary construction, people of the future may consider it to be a work of art due to it’s beautifully radiating suspensions or the shape of it’s stone arches as well as the craftsmanship required to assemble the functional creation. Just as modern society assesses ancient creations as works of art, many people today believe that the spectator is able to determine what is and what isn’t a piece of art for himself. Rather than analyze a work for its composition, purpose, meaning, and other elements that the artist is trying to express, people have a tendency to look at a piece and determine whether or not it is art based solely on appearance. Unfortunately, the gap between the artist and the spectator, when observing a piece of art, is often difficult to bridge. “An artist speaking of his work can help a little bit to have people understand, but [spectators] are never able to touch the heart of the problem. The only way to touch the heart of the problem is the work itself” (Continuum 2001). Some spectators may believe that a piece of art is none more than a piece of junk. This has been common throughout history as new art styles have emerged. For example, when the abstract expressionism movement rose in the 1940s “it emphasized spontaneous personal expression [and] freedom from accepted artistic values” (Art Movements and Periods 1). Many people did not know what to make of the unusual new paintings and sculptures at the time, so they automatically regarded the work as rubbish rather than appreciating it for its uncommon individuality and fresh approach. Inversely, spectators may also consider a montage of nonsense to be a work of art. B. Howitt-Lodge proved this point in a 1936 International Surrealist Exhibition in London in an attempt to mock surrealist art. The portrait painter: created his painting out of “a phantasmagoria of paint blobs, variegated beads, a cigarette stub, Christmas tinsel, pieces of hair, and a sponge.” Howitt-Lodge chose the materials, he later admitted, because he wanted to create ‘”the worst possible mess” and enter it in “one of the most warped and disgusting shows I’ve ever seen." Modernists were unmoved by his confession – they accepted Howitt-Lodge’s work as genuine surrealist art, even if he didn’t. “He may think it’s a hoax,” one fan told reporters, “but he’s an artist and unconsciously he may be a surrealist” (Bathroom Readers’ Institute 396). Although many believe that each individual spectator may decide what is art for himself, many rely on popular consensus to differentiate art from that which is not. This is like assuming that every piece displayed in an art gallery is automatically considered art, or that a group of spectators admiring someone’s creation are viewing artwork. Someone who believes in popular consensus may not particularly like every piece of art they see, but they may consider it to be art anyway. Although this method may not be original or reliant upon any personal opinion, it works for those who are unfamiliar with key elements of art or what to look for in a particular creation. If a spectator is responsible for determining what is art from what isn’t, it’s possible that he may deem anything and everything to have artistic manifestation or limit art to exclusive bounds. Many believe that “art is a human activity” (Leo Tolstoy 2) and created intentionally. Others, however, might see any creation as potentially being artwork, not unlike the paintings of Ruby the elephant. Ruby is Phoenix Zoo’s resident artist. Her talents were first discovered as the zoo’s staff noticed her drawing lines in the dirt with a stick held in her trunk. They then decided to supply her with brushes loaded with paint as well as a canvas on the ground. As she had done before, Ruby struck the canvas with the brushes, creating paintings that have sold for thousands of dollars apiece. Although some people may see Ruby’s actions as a habit or a form of entertaining herself, those who had purchased her paintings as well as other spectators most likely consider her pieces as works of art. Extremists may not only consider animal creations as artwork but also that which is created by a supreme being, such as nature. Whereas some may claim that the most extensive mountain ranges to the smallest flower buds are the beautiful creations of a higher power, others may argue that such a claim pushes the limits of art too far. Nature, no doubt, is indeed beautiful, however its artist remains mysterious and controversial among people of different beliefs. This subject is easily seen in a different light when explored by photographers. Photographers are able to use that which is natural, ranging from flora and fauna to people and landscapes, and turn it into their own art by putting it in a different focus. By using the elements of light and shadow as well as magnification and placement, photographers are able to collaborate with nature to create what is easily seen as a form of artistic expression and commonly found hanging in homes and galleries. Before one can question “who” determines what is art, one must ask himself “what” determines what is art. Art is created to satisfy one or more various purposes including the need to express emotional or mental thoughts and feeling, fulfilling the desire for that which is visually pleasing, and even to just add a creative touch to something physically practical. Art has many emotional and mental effects on its spectators, as often intended by the artist. “It can arouse aesthetic or moral feelings, and can be understood as a way of communicating these feelings” (Wikipedia 2006). Usually art has an underlying meaning that the artist is trying to communicate to his audience, whether the artwork itself is a metaphor of a subject or if it may even be representative of a story or thought. Often the artist is trying to leave people with a new perspective on a subject, and this perspective may be either a specific view the artist is trying to share, or the perspective expressed may be free to each spectator’s individual interpretation. Either way, the artist is sure to expect his audience to be infected by his work one way or another. According to Leo Tolstoy, “The stronger the infection, the better is the art as art, speaking now apart from the subject matter, i.e., not considering the quality of the feelings it transmits” (4). This is true as people often walk away from a piece of excellent art with a new sense of fulfillment. As art is used to express a subject, often this subject is as simple as the artist himself. Self-expression is the human inclination people often experience when they wish to feel unique and stand out from the crowd. Where as many display this tendency through their actions, artists more often than not exhibit it in their art. The meaning of the artwork in some pieces may be hidden beneath the paint, however many pieces of art are less cryptic. Unlike creations that require spectators to think and determine a meaning for themselves, many pieces of art have a specific message to communicate. Such pieces are often those that accompany media, such as in print material or on television, and illustrate the subject or event in question. Additionally, such art may also stand alone as a type of visual editorial, used to express a specific, defined point of view. The most common reason why people display art in their homes and offices is because it is visually pleasing. “An important purpose of art is to delight. Some works of art are beautiful or charming in themselves. Others delight us through their visual intricacy, by reminding us of patterns in nature, and in many other ways” (MSN Encarta 2005). Different shapes and colors, when used in harmony, provide different levels of excitement and energy, which is why people are so particular when purchasing furniture and choosing an interior paint color for their home. Color and shape are unavoidable in life, so to be able to decide upon one’s favorite colors and shapes to adorn one’s living space gives one an extra sense of control, thus increasing one’s contentment. Considering that the images represented in art also convey emotions themselves, this increases the overall emotion of those who pass by the artwork everyday. Art in a room can be seen as a houseplant that doesn’t need to be watered. It adds that extra something to a room by beautifying an empty wall or by filling a lonely corner. Often confused with abstract art, non-representational art is created for the sole purpose of visual effect. Considering that it is not symbolic of any concept or subject, non-representational art is used for decorative purposes only, not unlike why one would keep a vase of roses. This style of art focuses on a simple balance of shape and color without distraction from figures or ideas. An often-overlooked form of art is that which is practical. Everyday objects modified in an artistic sense commonly go unnoticed as art because they are regularly observed for their function. A clock, for example, requires no more than a couple of hands, some numbers, a few gears and springs, and a power source to work. An ornate coo-coo clock, however, is characterized by its detailed carvings and animated characters that put on a small show every hour on the hour. These are not necessary for the clock to function, but they make the devise a work of art in itself. Some classical forms of art, such as pottery and architecture, were not considered art in early times because their only intended purpose was to serve a physically practical function. Today we not only recognize such compositions as works of art, but we have expanded upon their visual aspects. Pottery, including vases and dishware, comes in various shapes and colors as well as a range of materials. Buildings and architectural structures, too, are constructed attractively nowadays with the intent of being easily recognizable and distinguishable from other buildings. Modern practical arts are catching on more each day as technology improves and trends change. Both web design and desktop publishing, for instance, are art forms allowing for a visually satisfying organization of text and images either on the internet or in print. Interior design is yet another practical new age art form as interior designers visualize their masterpiece in advance and use the elements of art to develop their workspace. The only difference between interior design and less practical traditional art is that these designers use upholstery fabric and accent lighting in place of paint and clay. Fashion designers develop creative yet functional pieces as well. Some fashions may be more functional than others considering that certain clothing designs are too exotic to ever leave the runway, but fashion design itself allows individuals to dress up and express themselves with unique patterns and materials similar to how people adorn their homes as a method of self-expression. Both interior design and fashion design as well as web design and desktop publishing are studied intensively just as one would study painting and sculpture before proceeding as a career artist. Due to the confines of functional art, such designers must know their limits. A desktop publisher has to restrain himself from going trigger-happy with crazy fonts that may cause eyestrain after reading a paragraph just as an interior designer may be restricted to using flame retardant materials to create a lampshade enveloping a high-power light bulb. The most common art that is disputed for it’s artistic merit is that which is controversial. Opinions vary greatly over whether art types such as graffiti or nudes truly are examples of creative expression or whether they only degrade the concept of art. Some people hold to opinion that graffiti is art where others view it as pure vandalism. Those who consider it art argue their point by claiming that graffiti requires both time and creative inspiration, and the quality of the art wouldn’t be any greater had it been painted on canvas or paper. Graffiti provides street artists with a chance to exercise their freedom of expression, and it often times results in large collaborated murals viewable by the public. As stated by Richard Lacayo in Takin’ It To The Streets: In the brief annals of street-art history, graffiti ranks as something like cave painting--a first gesture, recognized for its primal intuition that public space is up for grabs--and has, in the past four or so years, been overtaken by a host of new practices: wheat-pasted posters, adhesive stickers with oddball images on them, elaborately stenciled images and even three-dimensional objects. And like many things that start below the Establishment's radar, it has caught the eye of the mainstream and is edging into the galleries. (qtd. In TIME 3) Numerous others disagree with graffiti artists and its supporters by deeming graffiti as vandalism. Not only is it destruction of property, but the rouge act of tagging everything from bridges to train cars is an invitation to crime in those areas. “Some fear that the bright spray is a symbol of the inner decay of a generation of young people that can only find fulfillment on the run” (Koch 1996). Those who find the style and subject matter of graffiti visually distasteful are more likely to consider it vandalism than those who appreciate the images. It’s doubtable that the president of a large corporation should step outside his freshly painted office complex one day and smile because someone left him a picture on the building’s east wall: The aerosol paint can is science's contribution to the ancient art of public defacement, and the vacant-minded or vicious are taking to it in ever-increasing numbers -- gleefully spraying their names, initials, class numerals and favorite biological functions over national monuments and natural wonders. The taxpayers' bill for cleaning up after them is getting higher all the time. (qtd. In TIME 1) Just as graffiti can be interpreted as art or defacement, nudity in art can conjure various conflicting attitudes. There is fine line between artistic nudes and pornography, although each seems to follow different criteria. Artistic nudes are drawn and photographed for the love of art to present a tasteful display of the human form whereas pornography is created strictly to profit off of perversion. The focus of pornography is strictly on the individual(s) photographed without regard to the elements of art. Although this boarder may seem defined at first, it is often clouded by those who take nude photographs neither for profit nor for art’s sake, but rather are spurred by an interest in smut or a reason as simple as narcissism. The distinction between art and filth is further more difficult to determine as people’s opinions vary on individual pictures. An amateur photographer may attempt to shoot a nude model for the sake of art, yet the unprofessional quality of his work may cause some to doubt the artistic eminence of his work. Even the work of a professional photographer may inspire doubts should people misinterpret the pose or expression of the model(s) in his work, proving true that “it is difficult, if not impossible, to separate an aesthetic appreciation of shape and form from the sexual” (Contemporary Fine Art Nudes 2). “The various visual arts exist within a continuum that ranges from purely aesthetic purposes at one end to purely utilitarian purposes at the other” (Wikipedia 2006), however it’s up to each individual to eliminate the frauds. When evaluating a piece as a work of art one must consider the elements of art involved in the composition as well as the motivation for the work. The trick to ascertaining true art is to keep an open mind while not being entirely accepting. One must consider each distinctive piece of work for its own merit and purpose rather than its genre or subject matter. Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, art remains uniquely interpretable by each and every individual, whether they are a spectator, an artist, or both.

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