What is Art?
Is there a definitive answer? That's what we're going to get at.
What is art, how do we define it?
Are there ways to define it? A way of communicating with other people because they're obviously looking at what you've created and sometimes it has meaning behind it.
Expression, the reaction to current society? Pre-emphasis, what do you think? It's an individual thing, it's what's art, it's something.
Is there a list for defining things? Because we've done it with art for arts and money, you've got prominent quality, a limited edition who has done well within the issue.
Well, there's a list that Sotheby's and Christie's and the art world define the day you were something.
Is there a kind of a list that you can make up. I'm not giving it to you. There's a list that you can make up that kind of says, this is art, and this is not.
You must have something that makes you make a bad decision or think about it. But it's interesting to know what it is for yourself.
It's quite a profound question, really. You know, because I had somebody say something once before; he said; “it looks like art, it smells like decor.” It was controversial but he had obviously a very firm opinion of what he thought art was, as opposed to what everyone else had.
So, if there is a list and you think you can write it, if you think you can define it, it's this, this, this, this, and this, and it's not, not, not, not, not.
Can you? Is it possible? If you can do that, that's an interesting thing to see, whether you can or not. you said maybe that's impossible.
You might be completely arrogant, super silly as whatever and your list might really be the most racist, homophobic, soreness list in the world, right?
Can you find an image of a piece of work you believe to be art? Or is that possible? so maybe it's not possible, maybe it is possible, maybe you are quite clear that this is up and that is not.
Cézanne – Mont Sainte-Victoire (1902-4)
I believe Cezanne to be an excellent artist, with some beautiful paintings.
Doing this investigation makes us look at what we're looking art and initially they might say well that's a lot of crap and then later on I'll say oh maybe it's something in that or whatever or maybe on this something there or maybe it's interesting that I don't like it. You are forced to make a decision. We continue questioning ourselves and what we're doing and how we're doing things.
Can you find an image on a piece of work you believe to be art that should not be? An actual painting or sculpture or something.
Cy Twombly, Untitled [New York City], 1953. I do not believe the artwork below, along with some of the artists others paintings, are 'art'.
My research on what is art:
The concept of art is very broad, it involves a wide range of interpretations across different cultures. It is challenging to provide a definitive definition of art due to its subjective nature.
At its core, art can be understood as a form of human expression that communicates ideas, emotions, and experiences through creative means.
Art encompasses a diverse set of mediums, including visual arts (painting, sculpture, and photography), performing arts (music, dance, and theatre), literature, and architecture.
Art serves multiple purposes and functions in society. It has the power to evoke emotions, provoke thought, challenge norms, and inspire change. Through art, individuals can explore their identities, communicate their perspectives, and connect with others on a deeper level.
Moreover, art is often characterized by imagination, and innovation. Artists use their unique insights to create works that reflect their personal vision and worldview. Artistic expression the pushing of boundaries, leading to new forms, styles, and movements over time.
Art possesses a universal quality that transcends language, culture, and society. It speaks to the human condition, into our shared experiences, aspirations, and struggles. Art has the ability to inspire, challenge, and unite people across time and space.
Arts essence lies in its ability to express, provoke, and enrich human existence. It serves as a mirror to society, a catalyst for change, and a source of beauty, meaning, and understanding in the world.
What is an Artist?
Defining what makes someone an artist is complex and multifaceted, as the term encompasses a wide range of individuals, mediums and disciplines. There is no one definition, but there are several key characteristics and qualities that often define it.
At the heart of being an artist is the ability and inclination to express oneself creatively. Artists use their imagination, intuition, and skills to produce original works that communicate ideas, emotions, or experiences. Whether through visual arts, performing arts, literature, music, or other forms of expression, artists harness their creativity to create something new and meaningful.
Artists are often driven by a deep passion for their craft and a commitment to honing their skills and abilities. They devote significant time, energy, and effort to their artistic pursuits.
Each artist brings a unique perspective, style, and voice to their work, reflecting their personal experiences, beliefs, and influences. Authenticity is highly valued in the artistic community, as artists strive to express themselves honestly and genuinely through their creations.
Artists are inherently curious and open-minded, constantly exploring new ideas, techniques, and approaches to their craft. Experimentation and innovation are integral to the artistic process, as artists push boundaries, challenge conventions, and seek new ways to express themselves creatively.
Art often serves as a means of self-expression and communication, allowing artists to delve into complex emotions, thoughts, and themes. Artists bring depth and insight to their work, inviting viewers or audiences to engage with their creations on an emotional, intellectual, or spiritual level.
Artists have the power to inspire, provoke, and shape the world around them through their creative output. Whether through stirring emotions, sparking conversations, or challenging societal norms, artists can have a profound impact on individuals, communities, and cultures.
What is an Artisan?
An artisan is a skilled craftsman or craftswoman who produces handmade or traditionally crafted goods using specialized techniques, tools, and knowledge.
Unlike mass-produced items, artisanal products are typically crafted in small quantities, often individually or in small workshops, and are valued for their quality, uniqueness, and attention to detail.
Artisans are highly skilled in their respective crafts, whether it be woodworking, pottery, metalworking, weaving, or any other traditional craft. They often undergo extensive training or apprenticeships to master their craft, learning techniques that have been passed down through generations or developed over centuries.
Artisans take pride in their workmanship and are deeply committed to preserving and promoting traditional craftsmanship. They prioritize quality over quantity, focusing on producing goods that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and durable. Artisanal products often showcase the individuality and creativity of the maker, with each piece bearing unique characteristics and subtle imperfections that reflect the handmade process.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in artisanal goods as consumers seek alternatives to mass-produced, disposable products.
The Arts & Crafts Debate
For example - William Morris and the Bauhaus movement.
Culturally things are different. In Japan there's no differentiation between fine art and craft.
So, you can be a living national treasurer and you can pay 50,000 for a t-ball or a piece of calligraphy or a sword. And it's just as valued as the Picasso print. So that's a different cultural thing and it's changing in the best way, slowly.
They were workshop-based, sitting in rows and the painting pictures instead of actually getting out there and making things.
So that was process level. It doesn't mean you don't end up with a fine art outcome.
We can all sell art; art doesn't mean you have to sell it. And something that sells doesn't mean it's good. So, an artisan doesn't necessarily have the same kudos as an artist.
So, an artist tends to make things to order, or paint by numbers or paint for the artist.
The designer and the creator might be different. Sometimes they have staff that make the most of the stuff but then they sign it as the artist.
But he might have decorated it and glazed it.
Also, different cultures do different things. Artists here tend to think they do the whole thing themselves from beginning to end.
In Japan you could have a top ceramicist who makes the work and decides the work, and has little slaves he pays to help him.
But he has 20 other people who are expert firers who he employs and they fire the kiln. And then there's expert glazes and he buys the glazes from people and they've been making that glaze for 500 years, so he doesn't make his own glazes.
He could also put the finished thing in a beautiful little wooden box with a ribbon around it. And there's a ribbon maker, and there's a box maker, and there's also somebody who puts the calligraphy on the top. So, are they artists or are they part of the industry?
What am I? it brings up a lot of questions that we kind of ask ourselves all the time. Like ambiguity, uncertainty, what are we doing?
Ambiguity - how language and social could have been done before. Pictures that have two elements, but you see one before the other, what does this mean? Duck or rabbit?
A friend of Janice’s, used to spend hours and hours painting trees. And he used to go out in the woods, and he used to paint his huge big pictures of woods, but he didn't paint the trees. He painted the spaces between the trees. So, it's quite interesting, I think it's a lot of painting there. If you want to paint this, paint that. That becomes easy then.
My research on Arts & crafts
The century spanning Arts and Crafts debate revolves around the fundamental question of the relationship between art and craft. It examines how significant they each are in society, looking at aesthetics, creativity, functionality, and the role of the artist in society.
The debate emerged during the Industrial Revolution, a period marked by the rise of mass production and mechanization. The Arts and Crafts movement, such as William Morris and John Ruskin in the late 19th century, advocated for a return to traditional craftsmanship and handmade goods in response to the dehumanizing effects of industrialization. They argued that artistry and craftsmanship should be prioritized over mass-produced, machine-made goods, emphasizing the value of skilled labour and the preservation of traditional techniques.
The rise of industrialization argued for the efficiency and affordability of machine-produced goods, believing that technological advancements would improve the quality of life for the masses. This viewpoint prioritized functionality over artistic expression, leading to the marginalization of traditional craftspeople.
The Arts and Crafts debate has evolved alongside shifts in artistic movements, cultural values, and economic systems. Modernist movements of the 20th century, such as Bauhaus and the International Style, sought to reconcile the dichotomy between art and craft by integrating design, functionality, and mass production. Figures like Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier championed the idea of "total design," wherein art and craft were synthesized to create functional, aesthetically pleasing objects for everyday use.
In contemporary times, the debate persists within the context of globalization, digitalization, and consumer culture. While advancements in technology have democratized access to creative tools and platforms, they have also raised questions about the authenticity and value of handmade craftsmanship. The rise of artisanal movements, maker cultures, and DIY practices reflects a renewed interest in traditional crafts and handmade goods, driven by a desire for authenticity, sustainability, and individuality.
The Arts and Crafts debate explores the intersection of art, craft, technology, and society. It raises questions about the nature of creativity, the role of the artist in a rapidly changing world, and the enduring value of handmade craftsmanship in an age of mass production and consumption.
Ambiguity
Why do we experiment? that's to find out things, isn't it?
So, it allows us to make decisions about things that have changed, things that look from your perspective, that's what creatives do all the time, and that's what you learn to do which enables you to have jobs that other people can't have because you think in a different way. Education develops that ability to do that and that makes you very employable. You might be learning skills which prepare you for jobs that don't even exist yet.
The answer to the ambiguity of things is experimenting. An example of this is looking at Schrodinger’s cat. Which was an experiment with a cat. The cat's gone in the box, in the box is a vial of poison. Until you open the box, you don't know if it's alive or dead, do you? So, they're both in the box. the box is shut. So theoretically, at that point the cat can either be dead or alive. It can be in both states, you can't tell then. The only way you can tell is by opening the box. That kind of links to ambiguity, links to uncertainty, links to worry. Because until we experiment and we try or reject it, we don't know. So, we keep on developing the concept.
Therefore, what are we trying to find out? Is that a capacity of the artist? Is the artist trying to find out things? Or is the artist then just trying to make things, to make money?
Are they trying to refine it, or to take out variables? Maybe the concept of one of the major things of defining an artist is in fact, their willingness to experiment or go out of their comfort zone or to go somewhere they haven't been before to learn more.
I remember a video of Janis saying, “I've seen that, why would I want to do that? As an artist why would I want to do something somebody else has already done?” It's not necessarily the best financial way to go about things. But it's definitely an artist's way of doing things. However I think different people do different things in different ways, so it is worth doing it still.
Mugs - Because they're mass produced, rather than one of a kind.
I think it's so subjective, what people think is art.
Do you know what I mean? It's not always about the thought and the effort and the meaning of what it is.
Intention, to do with truth and integrity, all of those things come into it as well.
So that concept, when it's finished or is it ever finished? So, whether you're liking or not at the end is not the point.
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