Many philosophers and artists have asked over the years, "What is Art?" This question assumes there is a difference between art and non-art, and perhaps there is, but to me, the essence of 'art' is the essence of 'human.'
At first it was tools, such as stone axes and spears, but it didn’t take long to include a feather in the strap, or a second bit of carving that is just a decoration.
This sculpture shows us so much about early human culture and what was important to them. The skill in the carvings show it was not the only example made, the others just haven’t survived as long.
Art is making something to be aesthetic and beautiful
And in doing so, we express the need of the human to be more than just an animal. To decorate our surroundings and make them look and feel how we feel on the inside. This is the birthright of every human, and so I believe all created things are deserving of being called ‘art’ not just the celebrated and popular things.
Art is also ideas and messages
In the early twentieth century, many great artistic thinkers tried to expand the ideas of what counted as Art. Marcel Duchamp was one of the greatest. His painting “Nude Descending Staircase” breaks the mind with its concept and execution. The piece I’m referencing here is “The Fountain”, where he has taken a urinal, turned it on the side, and signed it “R. Mutt”. Even the seemingly non-aesthetic toilet has an aesthetic quality and beauty to it, and Duchamp show us this.
Some art I like, some I don’t. Some art I understand, some I don’t. But, to me, it is all art and every one deserves to make their art and express their creative side, the same as our ancestors thousands of years ago.
That’s why I believe in Painting and a Picnic (paintingandapicnic.com), because it is the message that anyone who wants to, can create a masterpiece of self-expression in viewing the natural beauty of Sarasota and Florida.
