7.27.2009

Too Big For Tuesday . . .


Usually, that is.
But thanks to

Small Works' Itty Blog Bits

we're bringing the biggest ideas down
to a more manageable size.

And the question to consider today is:


What is Art?

It's a big concept, but it's no match
for my handy dandy



which explains it like this:


See? Perfectly simple.

It's just so easy to over-think these things.

F minus, Tony Carrillo

So in case you've been wondering whether that project you're slogging away on is ever going to be considered "art," I think we've found the answer.

Once and for all.




Any other questions while I have the book out?



11 comments:

angela recada said...

Wonderful post! I've been mulling over the idea of doing a post about art - "what is it and who decides if it is art?" But I love your simple explanation and agree with it 100%! All the art snobs can keep their negativity to themselves, as far as I'm concerned.

Daryl said...

But what if it isn't beautiful? Is it still art and are you still considered an artist?

Alas, such an conundrum.

susan m hinckley said...

Hmmm ... thanks for throwing a wrench in the works, Daryl!

Well the act of creation is beautiful, in and of itself. So if you made it with your hands or with your mind . . .

This takes the matter of "taste" out of the equation entirely -- taking beauty out of the eye of the beholder, and putting it instead in the hand of the maker. That qualifies chocolate chip cookies as well as oil paintings (and I think we can all agree that a great chocolate chip cookie is a thing of beauty and a joy forever.)

So let's consider "art" as an action rather than as a result. What do you think?

VO said...

YES! Timely (once again) as I just got into an argument with a friend of mine about art/artists. I was so irritated that I wrote about it my blog.

Your post is truly golden.

susan m hinckley said...

Ha ha, VO. The comment is suitably golden as well.

I'm heading to your blog this instant to continue mulling over this issue . . .

Allie said...

Yay!!!! I'm an artist! Susan and Golden Books say so!

abi said...

Funny, I was just thinking about this today. I was considering what I want to be when I grow up - and how much I wish that I was an "artist" but I'm just so not. The other day, I found something that I wrote in elementary school about my goals for the future. It said: "I used to want to be an artist but I'm not good at art".

Maybe there is hope for me yet...

susan m hinckley said...

Oh Abi -- that made me really sad! Are you sure you didn't find something I wrote in elementary school? Because I absolutely would have written that! But if I'm an artist (I said "if") then you certainly are as well . . . so let's decide together that we'll both be artists, okay?

But I can't draw A THING . . . So here come those pesky pesky doubts. You're not alone, I assure you. So there's hope.

Daryl said...

Yes Susan, most definitely, Art is an action rather than a result. Art is merely a way of communicating. Everyone can and is capable of doing it.

Anonymous said...

Oh dearSusan, I wish this was true, but so much of the modern art scene accepts only edgy and dark work, with beauty being put in the lowly decorative category. The question about what is art remains. That's for bringing us this great post.
Salley

Anonymous said...

Oh dear, Susan, I wish this was true, but so much of the modern art scene accepts only edgy and dark work, with beauty being put in the lowly decorative category. The question about what is art remains. Thanks for bringing us this great post.
Salley

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