What Is Art?

What a nice question. Well, so far we’ve learned that art can be anything from a performance artist being shot in the arm (Chris Burden), an evolutionary survival tool, an object that anyone calls ‘special’, a ‘fishnet’ sculpture, to something as simple as a painting in a gallery. I can’t say that I wholeheartedly agree or identify with any one of one those ideas, but perhaps a combination of them. Art to me is an abstract form of what words cannot express. It is an outlet of emotion one exerts into something physical.

I feel that in today’s society, we are desperate to find & apply some profound significance to every aspect of our lives. The idea that nothing is as it seems The same idea is being applied to art. Art might be this ‘innate urge’ that’s laced within our bones & pumping through our veins. An urge that makes us create these masterpieces that reflect our culture & feelings & political conflicts blah blah blah... Or it might just be art... Art for art sake... I definitely think there can be art, just for the hell of it. It doesn’t always have to be complicated. 

I like Suzi Gablik’s idea of shifting art from a visual literature to a conversation. I think this is beautiful concept that can lead to expansion of art and unity. But does this shift have to reflect every current global issue? does it always have to have a hidden meaning that makes you read between the lines? No. For me, I think sometimes there really isn’t anything between those lines. They are just lines. So stop looking. 

This whole concept of hidden messages is why I had problems with the reading this week, along with the art we looked at. It was interesting, sure, but the satires? the cloaked political expressions? the underlying anger? Yeah, not for me. Call me a traditionalist or naive, but I like happy & uncomplicated. I mean, I’m glad this art exist, but I don’t care for it. Sorry, I’ll just stick to my happy-go-lucky, carefree attitude.