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Message
Posted
Now now Gudrun, you're asking THE impossible question. There's more twaddle talked about art than any other subject, I've tried to think of one and failed...even religion and politics don't come close. We have a self appointed band of critics and experts constantly polishing their egos whilst informing, and failing to inform, we mere mortals what art is all about.
For some it's mastery of the use of mediums. We talk about 'old masters' and such. There's no mastery of mediums, I'll bet the likes of Rembrandt often thought 'I could have done that bit better.' So it MIGHT be said that art is the constant striving to do better.
What art IS for this old codger is inspirational. I'm constantly amazed by what artists can do, including many right here on POL. It inspires me to have a go. It's also something that takes me to a place where I can escape for a few precious moments from the harsh reality of life, and face that other harsh reality that I can never paint/draw as well as I want to.
The appreciation of wonderful drawings and paintings that other people make has been a boon to my life making it so much better. I can't explain the wonderment, I just treasure it.
In 1906, an American writer compiled a satirical dictionary...Ambrose Bierce...THE DEVILS DICTIONARY. He wrote this about art. ART: This word has no definition.
I'll go along with that. Although you COULD add that each and everyone of us has our own definition, provided we don't actually have to define it.
Here endeth my art-babble.
v
Posted
Thought you might find AI's (chatCPT) definition:- " Art is one of those things that’s hard to define in just a few words because it can mean so many different things depending on who you ask. At its core, art is a form of human expression that communicates ideas, emotions, or concepts, often through a combination of visual, auditory, or performing elements. It’s a way for people to share their perspectives, tell stories, provoke thought, or simply create something beautiful.
Art can take countless forms—paintings, sculptures, music, literature, dance, theater, photography, and even more abstract mediums like installations or digital art. What makes something “art” is often less about its medium and more about the intention behind it or the way it engages with its audience.
For some, art is about aesthetics, the beauty and craftsmanship of the work itself. For others, it’s more about the message, the context, or the emotional response it triggers. And then there are those who see art as a way of challenging societal norms, making people think critically about the world around them."
So there we have it from the 'expert'!
Posted
I guess art means something different to each individual. For me personally it's about traditional values. I think that's where I have found myself settled at the moment. Learning the tools of the trade and having those tools to try and produce something that doesn't amount to rubbish. That is not saying I don't appreciate modern art, I do. I can see the thought and technique and process in art other than people just sloshing paint about on a board. That's what I've self learned. A banana stuck to a board in my opinion is senseless mindless folly. The critics who raved about it, I really don't think they had many activated neurons between them. Then, I could be very wrong. It could be the greatest piece of artwork since The Last Supper. Somehow, I don't think so though. For me art is digging something from the soul and bringing a minute blink of it to something you produce. Whatever your style. Art isn't easy, it's difficult but when you get in the flow, it's like running in an endless field of long green grass, feeling shards of sun on your face and the closest to heaven you may ever feel if such places exist.
Edited
by Denise Cat
Posted
Good morning all 🌞
Thank for responding to this eternal question. I am interested that because the question is so difficult to define Heather chose the AI route. Therein lies another, probably, heated debate.
Art is indeed an expression by artists shared with many for the varied reasons that you have kindly shared. Here are a few of the infinite list: solace, some sort of message, control of your environment for a while which has the effect of removing yourself from what is going on around you which in turn is a way to decompress, unless you are a perfectionist! I 'do' art because I like the creative process of assembling materials and techniques to be able to show something for my efforts. It brings joy, and perhaps appreciation and pleasure for others. I leave any interpretation to the viewer. I don't do art to sell. Any self-respecting art collector sees commercialism a mile off. However, you cannot live on thin air. Those with the drive and commitment to their craft to the highest of standards do make a living from it. I admire many professionals who 'do' their art and retain their aim first and foremost.
My challenge has always been summed up by the quote:
"The good painter has to paint two principal things, that is to say, man and the intention of his mind. The first is easy and the second difficult, because the latter has to be represented through gestures and movements of the limbs." (MK388) From: Leonardo da Vinci: The Graphic Work, p16, J Nathan and F Zöllner
Edited
by Gudrun Ståhl Sharpley
Posted
It's easier - though still not actually easy - to say what art isn't. If you want to annoy me (and why would you?) just ask me how my "hobby" is going... I think, to take a big broad stab at it, that those who really try to produce artworks get into the difficulty - they're not satisfied with where they are, they want to improve: they probably want to achieve perfection; which, perhaps happily, is ever beyond our reach. I've known many artists and would-be artists; some of them are very happy to settle into a groove, and pootle along in it forever - their work might or might not be "art", but they don't have that inner itch which compels them to work; they make the occasional sale; they're happy with that: and if they ARE happy, I'm happy for them. There's nothing in the world wrong with being a hobby painter. Some quite well known artists have been - e.g. the Victorian Sunday painters; some of whom were better than others, some of whom just couldn't paint full time because the necessity of making a living got in the way.
I think - and concede I might be talking drivel - that good art is more likely to be produced by those who are fighting to say something and might not even much enjoy the process; I've mentioned before a commercial artist I knew - he was good at his job, he could produce illustrations on demand, but he hated it. And I don't think his work was art, I think it was decoration - again, nothing wrong with that, IF you're getting some emotional fulfilment out of it; but sadly, he didn't. That doesn't mean all good art has to be wrenched from our suffering souls, wrung out of us - but whatever art is (and of course I've not even begun to answer that question) the urge to create it and the ability to do so within our limits and hopefully beyond them is a struggle, ought to be, and isn't "just" a hobby or something we only do in the hope of being paid for it.
Or in other words - you can't define it! Or I sure can't, anyway.