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There is a constant discourse on what art is and what art should be exhibited and what art is good what art is bad. I don't believe we will ever come to a unanimous agreement on this issue but it makes for interesting, if futile, dialogue.
What should be important is the principle that there are levels of expertise in creating art that have to be considered. Because of the explosion of instant media devices and the internet, those who want to show their work now have the entire world to see it. This exposure has a tendency to blend all levels of art together.
The darling painters in the local clubs are entitled to every accolade they get. But their work will suffer in comparison with work of a painter who has more experience, ability and technical facility when compared together. For those who deny this fact, they are deluding themselves. There is this notion that if you paint, you deserve to be noticed on a world stage. This is happening with musicians ( i.e. American idol), athletes ( i.e. Television now has little league games televised; skateboarding is an Olympic sport), dancers ( i.e. hip hop is considered a dance form). This is happening in every profession and sport mainly because of the internet. Unfortunately, we are unwilling to be objective when dealing with amateurism vs. professionalism.
An artist, singer, musician or athlete isn't someone who does something once or twice or on weekends or when the moment strikes them. A professional is someone whose entire life is taken up with what they do. And they do it every day and produce work worthy of being called professional. They spend their lives learning, practicing and creating work. Everyone else is an amateur.
As for the curators and museum operators - they are thinking only in dollars and spectacle, not necessarily about quality and professionalism. They are in this only for the money, fame and notoriety. Why do you think a plastic shark in a polyplastic tank sold for $14 million dollars? Don't put too much stock in what is good enough to be in museums and galleries. This is the commercial side of art not the creative side.
There is much "novelty" out there masquerading as art. We have to see it for what it is and put it in its proper place. We have to stare into the mirror and see ourselves as we are in the clear light of day.
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Editor's Note: You can view Rick's original post here.
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I agree that "what is art" will be a question for all time! I just had a friend tell me âwhich came first, the artist or the art?â She was basically saying the same kind of thing that you are.
I have had hobby artists, amateur artists, and students say to me, âI'm not an artist.â I usually tell them to call themselves an artist if they are producing something they think is art. Having said that, it does not mean they are a professional artist! I would call them a hobby artist or craftsman if they only produce enough work to set up in their local art and craft show. And, if they only paint with a teacher and never produce or study on their own, I would call them an amateur artist or student artist. I don't think there is anything wrong with any of those titles.
Now, I know anyone can show their work .... in a multitude of places ... including the internet and people will either like it or not. That is what makes this wonderful world go around.
The other side of this is showing professional work and amateur, student or hobby art in the same venue. Not a good thing, and hopefully most professional artists can figure out how not to do this for their own benefit! Many âgoodâ art associations have this happen .... but the thought is that it helps the amateur or student see the differences and either strive to continue in their pursuit of becoming a professional ... or decide to continue just being a hobby or student artist.
Now, those that are producing âartâ .... but it is novelty or shocking in some way ... I would never consider this stuff to be ârealâ art! I don't care who disagrees with my opinion of this .... it is just my opinion and I am entitled to it. Those things have a way of just falling out of favor anyway.
A good artist is someone that continues to learn and up their level of art. Most of us that call ourselves professional artists âknowâ we never stop learning and striving to do something better. We never stop trying to figure out what it is we want to say with our art .... producing something honest and personal to ourselves .... and hoping that the viewing audiences will also see something worthwhile in that art.
Dollars spent does not make it art! Art is personal to each viewer! We will never change either of these facts. But, it does not stop some people from spending mega-dollars (or even just a few) on the âgreatest new thingâ that comes out that really has no basis in traditional art or really good abstract art. And, it will not stop me from trying to educate anyone that will stop and talk to me when I am painting on location, or demonstrating in my galleries, or giving talks to organizations!