William Yager
Is it Art or is it not?
An Argument for a Better Understanding
As an animation major and having previously been a fine arts major I have had a good deal of experience in art, both traditional and contemporary. In my studies I have found that the subject of contemporary art amongst those who are unfamiliar with it is often met with confusion or disdain. Typically people do not understand what they are viewing or they do not seek understanding deeper than their initial notion. More often than not this leads them to the conclusion that what they are viewing is not real art. But why is that? What do we feel constitutes real art and what are these fabricated guidelines we feel art must adhere to? Additionally how do these preconceptions …show more content…
Modern contemporary art encompasses a wide array of ideas and it is common for context to be intentionally profound, controversial or deceptive. Viewing the image above very few would argue that it is not a work of art. Yet when I tell you that the piece is titled piss christ and the artist created the piece by photographing a crucifix in a jar of his own urine, context seems to change. In terms of contemporary art, context can not always be taken at face value. Too many people are quick to dismiss the art because of the manner it was made. Yet it would appear to be art without the additional …show more content…
Yet the artwork is compelling having only been a photograph of an object in liquid. Returning to what was stated earlier contemporary art does not adhere to common held beliefs and often turns them on their heads. It is evident that common held beliefs about art are merely misconceptions. Then how can an individual identify what is art and what is not. Well this has a seemingly simple answer that I have come to in my studies and these identifiers can be used to understand any questionable form of art.
As i have come to understand it art has three determining factors; was the piece constructed with intent to evoke an emotional response?; does the piece evoke an emotional response in someone. For example if a piece of toast is burned by the toaster and resembles the pope is it art? Well no it is not. The second is perhaps the most important for it requires the consideration of thoughts of others not just yourself. If someone creates what they feel is art and others are in agreement than it is art. This is not easy accept but that is why it is so important and requires a certain amount of
Is it Art or is it not?
An Argument for a Better Understanding
As an animation major and having previously been a fine arts major I have had a good deal of experience in art, both traditional and contemporary. In my studies I have found that the subject of contemporary art amongst those who are unfamiliar with it is often met with confusion or disdain. Typically people do not understand what they are viewing or they do not seek understanding deeper than their initial notion. More often than not this leads them to the conclusion that what they are viewing is not real art. But why is that? What do we feel constitutes real art and what are these fabricated guidelines we feel art must adhere to? Additionally how do these preconceptions …show more content…
Modern contemporary art encompasses a wide array of ideas and it is common for context to be intentionally profound, controversial or deceptive. Viewing the image above very few would argue that it is not a work of art. Yet when I tell you that the piece is titled piss christ and the artist created the piece by photographing a crucifix in a jar of his own urine, context seems to change. In terms of contemporary art, context can not always be taken at face value. Too many people are quick to dismiss the art because of the manner it was made. Yet it would appear to be art without the additional …show more content…
Yet the artwork is compelling having only been a photograph of an object in liquid. Returning to what was stated earlier contemporary art does not adhere to common held beliefs and often turns them on their heads. It is evident that common held beliefs about art are merely misconceptions. Then how can an individual identify what is art and what is not. Well this has a seemingly simple answer that I have come to in my studies and these identifiers can be used to understand any questionable form of art.
As i have come to understand it art has three determining factors; was the piece constructed with intent to evoke an emotional response?; does the piece evoke an emotional response in someone. For example if a piece of toast is burned by the toaster and resembles the pope is it art? Well no it is not. The second is perhaps the most important for it requires the consideration of thoughts of others not just yourself. If someone creates what they feel is art and others are in agreement than it is art. This is not easy accept but that is why it is so important and requires a certain amount of