What is Art?

dowie · 3 Jul 2013 at 20:20

Raymond Lin said:
But it made you think!

A lot of modern art is like that, love it or loath it but it is almost the point of it, if you stop and think or if it provokes a reaction or start a discussion, that practically gives it a meaning and reason for existence.

perhaps - but in that case anyone can do it and the only potential skill involved is perhaps coming up with a provocative title and/or some long words to stick on the bit of white card next to your piece

while people might be able to differentiate a 'painting' by an 'artist' with one by a child, chimp or mentally ill person from the brush strokes etc... it would be interesting to see a double blind test on some other 'modern art' pieces along the lines of bricks on the floor etc...

dowie · 3 Jul 2013 at 20:27

Raymond Lin said:
I remember that messy bed, I don't get it really or like it but some people do clearly.

Yes but do they like it because of the piece itself or because its been prepared by an award winning 'artist', is placed in a gallery and has a bit of card next to it with a few long words on it... and of course some other people who are considered important in the art world and knowledgeable about these things have stated that they like it.

The emperor has no clothes....

Sash · 3 Jul 2013 at 20:29

Thompson_NCL said:
Baby don't paint me, don't paint me, no more.

Came here to say a variation of this. Left disappointed

jamesblade · 3 Jul 2013 at 20:29

Art is Two things .

The transformation of a persons (creators) thoughts given form in the real world

The transformation back from the real world into another persons (observers) mind

?

atpbx · 3 Jul 2013 at 20:30

Surely its entirely subjective?

One mans pile of bricks is some mental persons act of artistic genius ?

Jono8 · 3 Jul 2013 at 20:36

Raymond Lin said:
But it made you think!

A lot of modern art is like that, love it or loath it but it is almost the point of it, if you stop and think or if it provokes a reaction or start a discussion, that practically gives it a meaning and reason for existence.

If I stop and think of/ look at anything, it can provoke a reaction and could start a discussion.

It's giving meaning to meaningless rubbish.

fiveub · 3 Jul 2013 at 21:06

mattyfez · 3 Jul 2013 at 21:15

Jono8 said:
If I stop and think of/ look at anything, it can provoke a reaction and could start a discussion.

It's giving meaning to meaningless rubbish.

Not really, I can stare at the texture of some stone or a nicely grained piece of wood for hours, I find it beautiful.

Ok, maybe not hours.. but there is beauty in all sorts of things.

Others would see it as some rock and a plank of wood.

Tom_ed1987 · 3 Jul 2013 at 21:21

5UB said:
snip

That is cool.

A completely blue canvas with some 'edgy' irrelevant title underneath, isn't.

ShaolinDreams · 3 Jul 2013 at 21:22

Raymond Lin said:
But it made you think!

A lot of modern art is like that, love it or loath it but it is almost the point of it, if you stop and think or if it provokes a reaction or start a discussion, that practically gives it a meaning and reason for existence.

This is how i like to be mislead.

For me it provokes good reactions about the illusion and the skill to do something like that. I'm mislead but it was worth it.. Whereas the non existent white horse on a blue canvas.. is being offkey and controversial for the sake of being controversial, it only provokes a brain fart. Sure it wouldn't be in the gallery if they thought everyone would hate it, i just don't get the point of a lot of modern art, not all of it mind due some of it does provoke meaningful thought.

dirtychinchilla · 3 Jul 2013 at 21:33

I think that art is anything that provokes an emotional reaction

RetiredGreyFox · 3 Jul 2013 at 21:40

I think this load of tat sold at auction for around $73 million

Anyway, I'm not into art but this is a cracking documentary -

mattyfez · 3 Jul 2013 at 21:54

ShaolinDreams said:
This is how i like to be mislead.

For me it provokes good reactions about the illusion and the skill to do something like that. I'm mislead but it was worth it.. Whereas the non existent white horse on a blue canvas.. is being offkey and controversial for the sake of being controversial, it only provokes a brain fart. Sure it wouldn't be in the gallery if they thought everyone would hate it, i just don't get the point of a lot of modern art, not all of it mind due some of it does provoke meaningful thought.

Call me weird but I've always wanted to see what these look like taken at the opposite angle.

G-MAN2004 · 3 Jul 2013 at 21:57

mattyfez said:
Call me weird but I've always wanted to see what these look like taken at the opposite angle.

mrk · 3 Jul 2013 at 22:17

I think Oliver Age 24 knows exactly what art is.

On a more serious note, art is whatever the viewer makes it. Someone will pay £2 million for a piece of art whilst the next man will throw it in the bin because it's just a weird picture of a few squiggles.

It really has no general value until it's appreciated by at least one person.

=XDC=FluphyBunny · 3 Jul 2013 at 22:42

Not certain if its a myth or my memory, but wasn't a childs drawing once put in a modern art display only to be picked out for its use of light and texture?

Castiel · 3 Jul 2013 at 22:44

isonomicjedi said:
What is Art?

Art is the subjective expression and appreciation of form.

=XDC=FluphyBunny · 3 Jul 2013 at 22:47

Castiel said:
Art is the subjective expression and appreciation of form.

Hey like porn. Excellent, I'm an art addict