What is art? A discussion

[plasmid303]

Ok, my friend and I are out for lunch when we start discussing art and the intrinsic value of art.

I ask a throwaway question: "What is art?"

I wasn't expecting an answer or anything, but my friend picks up the paper napkin next to his plate and then, with little thought or effort of the act, crumbles it inside his fist. He then tosses it on the table and simply replies, "this could be art".

I wanted to argue with him that something of that sort couldn't possibly be considered art.

We went back and forth for a while (well, until we finished eating), and I had realized that no matter what I said, I couldn't repudiate his argument, so I gave up.

So I ask you guys, could that crumbled napkin be considered art?

 

[Bannister]

Ok, my friend and I are out for lunch when we start discussing art and the intrinsic value of art.

I ask a throwaway question: "What is art?"

I wasn't expecting an answer or anything, but my friend picks up the paper napkin he next to his plate and then, with little thought or effort of the act, crumbles it inside his fist. He then tosses it on the table and simply replies, "this could be art".

I wanted to argue with him that something of that sort couldn't possibly be considered art.

We went back and forth for a while (well, until we finished eating), and I had realized that no matter what I said, I couldn't repudiate his argument, so I gave up.

So I ask you guys, could that crumbled napkin be considered art?

After some of the "art" I have seen or heard about, I would go with yes.

 

[amarcord]

For me art is being able to create beautiful things.
Money is the thing that can make art ugly.

 

[plasmid303]

For me art is being able to create beautiful things.
Money is the thing that can make art ugly.

I actually proposed that idea to my friend, that art is being able to create beautiful things (or something similar to that).

He told me that his crumpled napkin could be beautiful and to him it was, even if nobody else thinks so.

I disagreed, of course.

 

[plasmid303]

After some of the "art" I have seen or heard about, I would go with yes.

But it didn't take any effort. If I took a cardboard box and stepped on it. would the result of that be considered art?

 

[amarcord]

But it didn't take any effort. If I took a cardboard box and stepped on it. would the result of that be considered art?

I think he is referring to the "art" of selling ugly things for a lot of money.
Knowing the right connections is more important than the product nowadays.

 

[EVILFACE]

Anything that expressses your feeling or idea, is art.

 

[DarkArtist81]

Anything that expressses your feeling or idea, is art.

Exactly. Art is about emotion or created out of a desire to share your feelings on something. Sometimes it can be your take on a popular character, sometimes it's just a recreation. But no matter what it is, it has to express something or else it's just chaos that is written off as art.

 

[vader70450]

I will throw a wrench in this...do you guys consider advertising, art?....I sure as hell do...besides the fact that I do it for a living...what do you guys think?

 

[DarkArtist81]

I will throw a wrench in this...do you guys consider advertising, art?....I sure as hell do...besides the fact that I do it for a living...what do you guys think?

Oh for sure! It is absolutely art. To be able to find an intriguing way to promote something, be it a poster, a box or a magazine ad. Especially in the sea of images and data in todays world.

 

[King Darkness]

Anything that expressses your feeling or idea, is art.

Pretty much sums it up.

Though punching someone in the face to express your feelings shouldn't be considered art.

 

[Dusty]

What if your friend had said, "This crumpled napkin represents the state of the word today... blah blah"... thus expressing his feelings and emotions.

Would THAT be art?

 

[Kabukiman]

The product of human creativity.

 

[Entropy]

What if your friend had said, "This crumpled napkin represents the state of the word today... blah blah"... thus expressing his feelings and emotions.

Would THAT be art?

Yes.....
BAD ART but art none the less.
https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullp...936A25752C0A964958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2

Edit: Just read the rest of this thread. Yes. Crumpled napkin = art.

 

[plasmid303]

What if your friend had said, "This crumpled napkin represents the state of the word today... blah blah"... thus expressing his feelings and emotions.

Would THAT be art?

Yes, perhaps. If he had actually said something like that. But he didn't, and I know him. He wanted an argument for the sake of arguing. He's a lazy *******.

 

[plasmid303]

Pretty much sums it up.

Though punching someone in the face to express your feelings shouldn't be considered art.

Let's take this to the next level. An expression of the individual feeling or idea. How about an idea that leads to the process of human genocide? How is that art? I digress, art is subjective, but I can't see punching someone in the face as art, and likewise for genocide, of course.

 

[DarkArtist81]

What if your friend had said, "This crumpled napkin represents the state of the word today... blah blah"... thus expressing his feelings and emotions.

Would THAT be art?

Yep. It would be sad, not very creative art... but art nontheless.

 

[Captain Faramir]

Oh no. This is what my entire life has been devoted to, defining art. But for once I'm not gonna post my immediate impressions. I'll give my thoughts in a bit, but suffice it to say that no, not everything is art. There are those, especially in modern art, who think you can throw yellow paint on an old ironing board and call it art. That's just not true. However, since I've just written a million pages on the Hobbits, I'm gonna wait till tomorrow before I take the time to articulate it.

 

[Entropy]

I can't see punching someone in the face as art, and likewise for genocide, of course.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Performance_art

I once went to an art exhibit where a woman had sex, she said she was losing her virginity, in front of a bleacher full of us audience members. Art? yes. again bad art, but art.

and just because some people say 'x' isn't art or "worthy" of being called art, doesn't make it so.

 

[Kabukiman]

I'm gonna wait till tomorrow before I take the time to articulate it.

Did I read that correctly? Is the Captain at a loss for words?!?