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ART
You know it
when you ‘see’ it. Subjective. What appeals to one may leave
another ‘cold’. But are there generalizations … what art is that
most will agree upon? Are there universal prescripts ‘bout
determining “is it art?” For all people in ‘all times’? Perhaps.
Questions first: What motivates an individual to sing, dance,
draw, paint or otherwise ‘vent’ cerebral stirrings?
Sentiment? Reliving childhood experiences? Connecting to fond
memories of loved ones? Emulating the ‘moving’ expressions of
others? Yielding to emotions thus provoked? Playing a lute like
grandpa? Twirling gaily in a jig? Quilting a sunset? So many
influences.
Observations? Being ‘stimulated’ by colors, shapes, nature’s
profusions, the antics of people? Photographing and preserving
captivating views? Personal interpretations of sensory
impressions? Unique designs filtered through a lively
imagination? No end to what can be ‘expressed’ in various media.
Practical applications? Responding to the demands of an editor
for appealing renditions of product or an event. Reproducing or
reinterpreting theatrical productions and musical scores?
Obsessing a commitment to influence others and formulating an
‘attractive’ way to ‘communicate’ it? What should one do? … must
one do? To entertain … to make a ‘difference’.
For millennia individuals have been ‘externalizing’ a plethora
of visual and auditory ‘constructs’. Have these been art?
Perhaps. That word again. Or are there qualities that ‘elevate’
… garnering praise and societal recognition that particular
artistic renderings are superior? … true art … obfuscating the
‘lesser’ offerings. This becomes confusing when obscure ‘pieces’
are ‘discovered’ and regaled or conversely ‘masterpieces’
denigrated … or labeled copies … profanations … horrors!! What
recourse is there in considerations of what is art?
The only solution: Agreement and acceptance of terminology by a
majority in a particular society. What is art? Perhaps: All
creative manifestations in whatever form that captivates some
with its beauty, cohesion or purpose. Youthful depictions of
family, home and hearth. Sketches, portraits and ‘paintings’.
Songs, dances, comedies and dramas. Engineering and
architectural designs. What is exemplary art? ‘High’ art.?
‘Creations’ that display unique or outstanding skills and alter
consciousnesses of many, slightly or profoundly, by provoking
emotional stirrings or gradations of ecstasy. These emanate
during ‘unassailable’ ‘genius’ moments.
Masterful novels, plays, musical scores and paintings are a
cherished legacy that inspires … lifts ‘spirits’ by ‘harnessing’
the power of imaginations to glimpse the Ultimate Profound,
Eternal Beauty. A rather lofty sentiment. But either there is a
pervasive Source for inspiration which transcends mere molecular
structures or … we are heirs to habits of preposterous
self-deceptions … existing in a void without purpose. What do
you think?
A FINAL NOTE: To the haughty ‘art’ ‘expert’ and collector.
‘Works’ by famous artists are NOT all ‘masterful’. Crescendos of
heightened spiritual ‘connectedness’ are rare. Try to temper
your hyperbole about an artist by acknowledging the true merits
or shortcomings of each ‘work’. Nice to invest in or profit from
what is in vogue. But you might want to be honest and sincere in
your appraisals.
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