I’ve always wanted to find a way to ask a few of my favorite authors over for a nice, leisurely Sunday brunch, and that became the idea for this blog.
Each week I plan to invite a couple friends to this blog so I can ask them a question. My friends will share their answers with me and you, gentle readers, can give your answer to my question in the comment section below. I’ll choose one random person from the comments and reward them with an ebook surprise, it’s that simple! Comments are moderated, so don’t despair if you’re not posted immediately! All commenters will be entered into a drawing, so don’t be SHY!
Last week’s winner is: druuuuuuumroll please: Chris Muldoon! I’ll be sending you an email asking which ebook you fancy pronto! Thanks for playing along.
This week I gave my authors a tough assignment. It’s actually a question you’ll find in theory of knowledge classes, and very few people who signed up for my brunches wanted to take it on! Fortunately, in the three people here I have some very awesome authors who aren’t afraid of a challenge, so without further ado, I’ll ask this weeks guests to:
Define Art.
What is Art?
I saw this on a medallion at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach, CA this summer and loved it so much I just have to quote it. It comes from artist, Jennifer Yane, and considering that I write the Beautiful Boys of Romance, it seems perfect to me:
Art is spirituality in drag.
: ) – Author Tara Lain
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Like obscenity, most people think of art as something they know when they see it. I have vivid memories of my father glancing over my various art class textbooks and commenting on Duchamp’s Fountain, “That’s not art!” The Society of Independent Artists would have agreed with him — back in 1917.Yes, my dad is a little bit of a throwback, but he’s not unique in confusing quality with personal preference. The default position for a lot of us is, “I don’t know anything about art, but I know what I like.” So it’s probably natural that the logical thought progression would be that if you like it, it must be art.
But that’s a dangerous position: the notion that if you like something it must be quality or that if you dislike something, it must be flawed. I personally struggle with the concept that all art is subjective, and yet clearly concepts like Beauty and Good and Obscenity vary from culture to culture — and even within any given culture over a period of time.
I think the essential problem with the idea of art as subjective or personal, is that within that construct, the responsibility for what is or is not art lies with the audience — whereas I believe, by strictest definition, it actually lies with the artist. For me, whether something is, or is not, art is strictly to do with artistic intent.
The moment an act is performed deliberately in order to bring about a reaction from one’s self or another, it becomes art. Well, no. Because by that definition both murder and masturbation would be art. So I suppose I would have to qualify that to: the moment an act is deliberately performed to provoke an aesthetic — positive or negative — reaction from one’s self or another, it becomes art.
The catch is that what would be considered aesthetic at any given time is subjective. But the intent to provoke or stimulate the reaction is not subjective. – Author Josh Lanyon
Now, Gentle Readers: Tell us how you define art HERE on my website for a chance to win an ebook from one of these fabulous authors!
Art is the frame we put around an interpretation of life. It is an alternate universe of appreciating how we edit the world. Art is a reflection of the internal mirror with which we distort and refine a vision.
Thanks for all the other thoughtful remarks in this virt. Brunch. Loved the eggs!
Ah. Interesting. An internal mirror…
Hey! You win an ebook of your choice from one of these authors. Let me know which one you’d like at zamaxfield @ zamaxfield (dot) com, and what format, and I’ll send you a link to get it somewhere like Amazon or ARE.
Thanks for playing along!
ZAM
That “Hey” was for John Spear by the way, the winner of this week’s Sunday Brunch Blog Ebook, contact me, John…
ZAM
Heyyyyy, didn’t ZAM promise to make us her special scrambled eggs?
I actually do make special scrambled eggs: I start with diced onions, red and green peppers, and pepperoni. I whirl eggs in the blender with a little cream, italian seasoning and salt and pepper, and then I either scramble it all into a mess or cook it in the oven for a few like a frittata. Top it with italian cheese blend and fresh herbs. Marinara if you like that sort of thing…
Serve it with fresh bread and a fruit salad… Or for lunch with a caesar…
YUM!
As difficult as it is to define, I believe art is the expression of soul’s passion.
I think so. There must be an impetus to create something — whether it be a moment or a fresh perspective or a beautiful image.
Art is what I say it is. Or you. Or she. Or he. (But mostly I. :-D)
YES! 😉
I’ll go with that!
A considered creation that evokes an emotional response in others.
I like both Mr. Reed’s and Mr. Lanyon’s definitions (which are not far off from each other.)
Will there be pancakes? It’s not breakfast without pancakes.
Wow. I think it’s years since I’ve had pancakes. Yes please!
Art is an act of creativity that speaks to the heart of the maker (or the recipient).
It’s not good or bad, beautiful or ugly.
Art is the capturing of an emotion, thought, feeling, and freeing it into the world in an alternate form. It stimulates, titulates, and/or motivates others to think, feel or react.
Art can be anywhere, to anyone who is willing to use any or all of their senses and/or brain to experience it.
one person’s creative outlet – to the benefit of others to enjoy – or not as the case may be as it’s all subjective. Some Art I just don’t get, while others I could sit and stare at all afternoon. Historical paintings of events, people, places have always fascinated me. But give me an art structure – like in front of a building – abstract – and I’m like what? whaaaat? Like Starry Night – the famous painting. Yeah – I’ve seen that in real life after a couple of beers just by looking up at the sky. What’s the big deal? (sorry- my redneck side is showing). LOL.