What is “Art?

” I doubt anyone would argue that it is something which must have a cre
ator in order to exist. That being said, its definition relies solely on the int
erpretation of its creator. But is it possible that the very essence of art is b
eyond human comprehension? And can it exist without human intervention, only to
be manipulated as we see fit? In my opinion, the definition of art can be classi
fied into two categories: The first being an expression of self in regards to hu
man conceptual design, and the second as a divine blueprint for the natural worl
d translated through beauty. Therefore, it is possible to categorize art as bein
g either “bad” or “good” based the inspiration of its creator. Because art is either ins
pired by the negative ego of man, or for the positive love of the divine, there
is a distinct moral conflict that arises when discerning what we deem to be good
, and what appears inherently bad. What art is cannot fully be explained or unde
rstood, if we deny the existence of something beyond ourselves. Nor can it be go
od or bad, if we deny the existence of an inherent moral code.
As an expression of self, the value of art is chiefly egocentric and is an examp
le of the nature of humanity. We have a desire to grasp and understand what we p
erceive to be reality, and to capture that reality as we see fit. Ultimately thi
s makes art a subjective creation, because it is what we make it and nothing els
e. The art of self is largely conceptual in its design and takes on a modern twi
st as the creator seeks to understand the current world in their own mind’s eye. T
he piece of art is no longer something to be shared with everyone who it encount
ers, but is largely a reflection of the person who created it. In my opinion, th
is self-seeking concept is inherently what makes art “bad” and ultimately immoral. N
o longer is the expression of reality concerned with the outside world, but rath
er seeks to delve inward into the human mind. Being that we are creatures of a f
lawed nature, the more we dive into ourselves, the less we see the world around
us, and the less we can contribute to our fellow man.
One example of this is The Design for a Colossal Clothespin Compared to Brancusi’s
Kiss by Claus Oldenburg (pg 234, fig. 321, Silkscreen, Philadelphia Museum of A
rt). Without understanding the concepts the artist is trying to portray, all you
see is a giant clothespin. The fundamental message in this piece is an emphasis
on societies obsession with making everything bigger than is really is. It is i
ronic and satirical, but the concepts are an expression of the artist’s thought pr
ocess, a self-centered interpretation of the world as he sees it. While each per
son is free to share their own opinions, the viewpoint that art is simply concep
ts we create to express our own truth limits it’s natural power to inspire it’s view
ers into thinking beyond themselves. This is the fundamental reason intellectual
concept art is, in my opinion, awful. If we limit art to be merely subjective i
n nature, it allows us to create our own definition of morality. With this in mi
nd, anything human beings create could be art, from a dot of black paint on a wh
ite canvas, to a used toilet.
On the contrary, art as a divine blueprint comes from the artist’s inspiration fou
nd in the natural world. To understand this definition of art is to understand t
he possibility that it exists outside the realm of the human ability to create i
t. Art by divine design is the Grand Canyon. It is light that hits the leaves of
trees just as the sun sets. Divine art is something that man tries to replicate
, but cannot come from his mind alone. And ultimately it’s one impetus is to exemp
lify beauty. An artist who seeks to capture divine design is not limited by his
own mind, nor is he inspired by his own sense of self. His art is altruistic in
nature, and ultimately designed for the viewer. It is for this reason that I vie
w divinely inspired art as an example of “good” art, with the emphasis being on a un
iversal moral code we are able to tap into, but cannot manipulate or bend to our
own will.
In his magical rendering of a perfect summer evening, Maxfield Parrish’s "Garden o
f Allah" is the idyllic interpretation of natural beauty as inspiration for the
human consciousness to look outside itself. With his fantastic use of light, Par
rish shows us a world that is almost ethereal. We are acutely aware of the women
as part of their natural environment, not the central figures with the world ex
isting around them. The piece looks almost dreamlike, as if we are observing a w
orld that exists somewhere outside our realm of reality. It speaks of fairy tale
s and hidden truths. Ultimately it inspires the heart to appreciate beauty. Whil
e artists inspired by the divine cannot make a tree anything other than what it
is, or bend light to be something other than light, they can manipulate the way
each is used in order to inspire the viewer to look beyond what you see with you
r mind, and evaluate what you perceive with your soul. All in all, my definition
of “good” art is that which goes beyond the realm of rational understanding and cha
llenges mankind to look beyond its own minds.
In conclusion, one could argue towards the definition of art as man’s interpretati
on of himself. Concepts come from the mind, and in turn they are produced on the
page, or the canvas, or through sounds, etc. We have a desire to express oursel
ves using various mediums that exist in nature. But the concept of art being sol
ely an expression of self is intrinsically flawed, since the natural world exist
s beyond the realm of human comprehension, and can only be explored, but never t
amed. Art seen as a selfish interpretation of the artist’s concepts has a purpose,
but only for the artist, and is thereby immoral. While art inspired by the divi
ne is an expression of the altruistic need to show beauty that exists around us,
and to share it with others, making it an example of the universal moral code.
Before you dispute this fact, go outside this evening and watch the sun set.
"The Design for a Colossal Clothespin Compared to Brancusi s Kiss" - Claus Olden
burg
"Garden of Allah" - Maxfield Parish