I was just wandering around the web when I stumbled upon an interesting little snippet:
The Turner Prize, one of the world’s top contemporary art awards, aims to do in 2009 what it has often failed to do in the past — appeal to the public. The annual prize, in its 25th year, has earned a reputation as a provocative and often unpopular contest that has Britain, tabloid media included, heatedly debating ‘What is art?’
While I don’t know much about the Turner Prize, it did make me ask the question myself: What is art?
I only just started thinking about the question, but I thought I’d throw it up here and see what all of you think. You can use the comments section to discuss your thoughts and ideas.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
What is art? Its an age old question. One that probably has been asked almost as much as “What is the meaning of life?” (which, of course is 42*)
I think given that art is so subjective is really is pointless to try and define it. What I think is art could very well be crap to someone else and vice versa.
A good example of this is that I am a huge fan of comic book art (specifically the art of Ben Templesmith). In a lot of art circles, most folks would look down their nose at it and dismiss it as “superfluous garabage”, despite it being some of the most sophisticated art I have had the pleasure of viewing.
Ultimately, I think its up to the viewer to decide what *they* believe art is. It’s a personal thing, one that no one (not even this fancy Turner Prize) can determine for a person.
Just my $0.02
*Thank you, Douglas Adams!
I feel very similar to you in terms of what I think art is.
I like to think that art is anything that isn’t a science. It’s something where there are no definitive rules, no right or wrong.
Personally, I love comic book art. The fact that there are some who think it’s “superfluous garbage” and some who like it, intrinsically makes it art.
If everyone can agree on the same answer for something, we’re probably looking at a science or math equation!
I think art is subjective. What is art to one person can be junk to another. For instance, I hate abstract art I think it’s junk. However lots of people seem to enjoy it and thinks it’s expressive art.