Type "define art" into Google and you will see the following definitions:
1. The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture.
2. Works produced by such skill and imagination.
Art is a small word for a huge concept. It covers dance, music, painting, sculpture, film, theatre, and many aspects of multimedia. I would even consider some literature to be art, such as poetry.
Throughout each of these mediums, there are multiple ways to interpret a piece of art. Some artworks are meant solely for entertainment purposes. Just look at popular films and much of the dance and theatre world. There is no deeper meaning. These pieces are to be enjoyed simply for the entertainment value. Here are a few pictures and videos of entertainment to enjoy here at the end of the semester.
This is a piece done on the television series So You Think You Can Dance.
Even video games could be considered art in my mind.
People may argue that things made for entertainment only are not art. However, think of the creativity and skill gone into making these works. The amount of creativity and skill surely makes it art. They may then argue that, if it is art, it has no purpose. I don't find this to be true. Entertaining arts exist to take people away from their everyday, mundane, sometimes depressing lives and put them in a world completely different. For some, its relaxation. For others, it's just a chance to get away. People may need a reason to come home from a bad day and watch a film like Ghostbusters or read a favorite book just to improve their mood.
Some works, however, have a concrete meaning that is easily noticed. Many works based on politics or religions are very easily interpreted to know their concrete meaning. A few films I've watched this semester could fall under this category. Waiting for Superman has a clear call to action to reform the public school systems of the United States. There's no arguing against that. The only thing left to be interpreted by the film's audience is what exactly that reforming action should be. Political cartoons are a popular form of art work with a concrete message.
Then there is the abstract category. Abstract art works have no clear meaning. The Qatsi trilogy is such a film. There is no plot. There are only images and music. The only clear aspect of these films is that the filmmaker had a clear vision for the films and has a clear bias. However, what that vision and bias specifically are remain unknown to the viewers.
The more I think about abstract art, the more I come to believe that the purpose of the abstract is to make its viewer think. The viewer makes his or her own meaning. What that viewer discovers about his or herself is what the purpose of the film is. When watching the Qatsi trilogy, viewers may feel nothing. What does that say about them? Viewers may feel a need to change their entire way of life. Does that mean they have a guilty conscience or does that mean they feel a need to change the world? The final resting place of a viewer's brain is what the meaning and purpose of an abstract piece of work becomes to that viewer.
It seems interesting to me that an artist, with definite bias (no one can be completely without bias), can create a work of art without telling its audience what they should think or what they should do. I wonder if they do so on purpose. Perhaps their moral compass says "who are you to tell others what they should think?" If that's the case, are the ones who use art to persuade morally corrupt? I don't think they are. But then again, who am I to know?
Personally, I thoroughly enjoy art for entertainment value the most. It's a way to get away from the chaos that is everyday life. However, every once in a while, I think it does good to sit and watch or read something that exists to express its creator's opinion. It may challenge or strengthen or change what I think and believe. And every once in a while, it's good to view abstract art and see where my brain takes me. That can strengthen or change a person as well. Maybe everyone should take time to view a piece of art that they normally wouldn't view just so that their horizons can be broadened.
Throughout each of these mediums, there are multiple ways to interpret a piece of art. Some artworks are meant solely for entertainment purposes. Just look at popular films and much of the dance and theatre world. There is no deeper meaning. These pieces are to be enjoyed simply for the entertainment value. Here are a few pictures and videos of entertainment to enjoy here at the end of the semester.
This is a piece done on the television series So You Think You Can Dance.
Here's a portrait someone painted:
How about some films we love?
Even video games could be considered art in my mind.
People may argue that things made for entertainment only are not art. However, think of the creativity and skill gone into making these works. The amount of creativity and skill surely makes it art. They may then argue that, if it is art, it has no purpose. I don't find this to be true. Entertaining arts exist to take people away from their everyday, mundane, sometimes depressing lives and put them in a world completely different. For some, its relaxation. For others, it's just a chance to get away. People may need a reason to come home from a bad day and watch a film like Ghostbusters or read a favorite book just to improve their mood.
Some works, however, have a concrete meaning that is easily noticed. Many works based on politics or religions are very easily interpreted to know their concrete meaning. A few films I've watched this semester could fall under this category. Waiting for Superman has a clear call to action to reform the public school systems of the United States. There's no arguing against that. The only thing left to be interpreted by the film's audience is what exactly that reforming action should be. Political cartoons are a popular form of art work with a concrete message.
As you know, and can see, political cartoons have been in use for quite some time.
Then there is the abstract category. Abstract art works have no clear meaning. The Qatsi trilogy is such a film. There is no plot. There are only images and music. The only clear aspect of these films is that the filmmaker had a clear vision for the films and has a clear bias. However, what that vision and bias specifically are remain unknown to the viewers.The more I think about abstract art, the more I come to believe that the purpose of the abstract is to make its viewer think. The viewer makes his or her own meaning. What that viewer discovers about his or herself is what the purpose of the film is. When watching the Qatsi trilogy, viewers may feel nothing. What does that say about them? Viewers may feel a need to change their entire way of life. Does that mean they have a guilty conscience or does that mean they feel a need to change the world? The final resting place of a viewer's brain is what the meaning and purpose of an abstract piece of work becomes to that viewer.
It seems interesting to me that an artist, with definite bias (no one can be completely without bias), can create a work of art without telling its audience what they should think or what they should do. I wonder if they do so on purpose. Perhaps their moral compass says "who are you to tell others what they should think?" If that's the case, are the ones who use art to persuade morally corrupt? I don't think they are. But then again, who am I to know?
Personally, I thoroughly enjoy art for entertainment value the most. It's a way to get away from the chaos that is everyday life. However, every once in a while, I think it does good to sit and watch or read something that exists to express its creator's opinion. It may challenge or strengthen or change what I think and believe. And every once in a while, it's good to view abstract art and see where my brain takes me. That can strengthen or change a person as well. Maybe everyone should take time to view a piece of art that they normally wouldn't view just so that their horizons can be broadened.
No comments:
Post a Comment