I think art resists classification. Every time I think of a new definition I come up with an exception. Something beautiful? See the top of this post for the Chapman brothers’ Fuckface (pardon my French). Something executed with technical precision and skill? We saw in class artists who only provide the instructions for their work. Something in an art gallery? Look at Banksy’s street art.
If I have to define art, I’d say it’s something that’s created with aesthetics in mind. Not that art has to be aesthetically pleasing – just look at Marcel Duchamp’s urinal – but it does have to convey its message, if it has one, through the eyes. Although defining art is an interesting mental exercise, it’s far more exciting to look for the art in everything. I’ve been inspired by all kinds of un-“art”like things, from a plastic bag to a chilli pepper squashed on the pavement. resists classification. Every time I think of a new definition I come up with an exception. Something beautiful? Look at the Chapman brothers’ Fuckface (pardon my French). Something executed with technical precision and skill? We saw in class artists who only provide the instructions for their work. Something in an art gallery? Look at Banksy’s street art. If I have to define art, I’d say it’s something that’s created with aesthetics in mind. Not that art has to be aesthetically pleasing – just look at Marcel Duchamp’s urinal – but it does have to convey its message, if it has one, through the eyes.
Although defining art is an interesting mental exercise, it’s far more exciting to look for the art in everything. I’ve been inspired by all kinds of un-“art”like things, from a plastic bag to a chili pepper squashed on the pavement.
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