4. Art Is.. Recently, one of the subscribers to a magazine that specializes in the business of selling one's art complained bitterly about the quality of artwork chosen to grace its cover. His complaints were similar in nature to the objections raised against art in general in section 3.3. Among other things, the editor replied with the question "..is there really any such thing as bad art?" The idea that such a question even bears examination appears to fly in the face of the implied beliefs of those who would purchase this magazine: presumably, they have the intention of selling their artwork because, in part, they believe the quality of their own work stands forth as something exceptional and worthy of purchase--as opposed to something bad or mediocre which is not. As one might expect, the letter, and the response, raised strong reactions from some practicing artists, taking exception to the editor's response, for it seemed to imply (through its lack of a standard for "artistic badness") that there is nothing particularly special about an artistic masterpiece (or any competent art) in terms of value. There were, on the other hand, some voices raised by practicing artists in favor of the editor's reply. Those were artists who had apparently absorbed and accepted, on some level, more modern and inclusive views on what may be admitted as worthy of being called art (The editor, herself, is a practicing artist).
      The present thesis is intended to show that there is something about artistic expression that distinguishes it from other forms of expression, and, that, indeed, there is such a thing as "higher forms of art," and even higher forms of expression; e.g.--there is an undefinable but undeniable something which elevates the Sistine Chapel above Spitting on the Sidewalk--aside from physical altitiude, of course.

4.1 The Distinctness of Art. Despite the open-endedness of that which is art, (including both the process and the product,) 'art' is not all-inclusive to every kind of expression. Despite this, elements from other disciplines may be factored into a work of art and its making, and vice versa.

4.2 Some Proverbs about what art is follow, not to be confused with definition.

4.2.1 Art Is a rationally and intuitively controlled process of expression which gives sensible form to ideas and feelings intended for communication. (Alright, that does sound more like a definition).

4.2.2 Art Is a higher form of expression.

4.2.3 A Work of Art Is a brilliantly crafted piece of expression.

4.2.4 All Art imitates nature -- Aristotle

4.2.5 Art Is an imitation of the divine act of creation -- J.R.R.Tolkien.

4.2.6 Art Is expression governed by the discipline of technique.
 

Copyright © 2001, Robert Kauffmann.  All Rights Reserved.