Jonathan 1: What is Art?

Art is something visual through which someone expresses his or herself. This includes, sculpture, drawing, architecture, and dance among countless other things. It is not just seen, it is experienced. It must evoke a feeling or raise a question in whoever the "experiencer" is. Art is a deliberate composition, created by an artist with intentions in mind. Whether or not those intentions are fulfilled once the piece is experienced does not matter. That is what makes art interesting, everyone experiences it in a different way.

Monica: What is Art?

Art is a pleasant arrangement of matter: colors on a canvas, metal in a sculpture, makeup, clothing and jewelry on the human body, sound waves into a song, words on a paper, etc. It can be intentional or it can be accidental and/or natural. As long as it pleases the creator and/or an audience, it can be considered art. It is open to interpretation and often means different things to different people. It is impossible to devalue a work of art. It is also impossible to tell someone that their interpretation of it is wrong, for even if he interprets the work differently than the creator intended he has still found personal value and meaning through it.

1- Kim: What is art?

Art takes many forms, from a drawing or poem to a performance or cake or sofa. The title is so broad that almost anything can be art if someone decides to label it “art.” However, there are some boundaries to art, in that it must be designed to be interpreted through one or more of the senses. Art is a sensory creation that must be experienced in order to be understood. Hearing about a painting is not equivalent to seeing it, just as reading a movie’s summary is not equivalent to watching it. Art must also provoke something from the person who experiences it. If after the experience the person remains indifferent to the piece, then it has failed as a work of art.

Photo by Australian photographer Samm Blake http://www.sammblakeblog.com/

Wedding cake by Chef Lori Ann Blethen http://www.wildflowersbylori.com/Wedding%20cakes.htm

Apparently, this is art too, but I find it disturbing:

Alba, the fluorescent bunny. Genetically engineered by Eduardo Kac 

http://www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html#gfpbunnyanchor

#1 - Suji: What is Art?

This question strongly reminds me of the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course I took in my senior year of high school mainly because the exact same question was asked - what is art?

It wasn't surprising that the course concluded without coming up with a solid answer for the question; interpretations and norms of aesthetic perceptions were raised and discussed but dropped before anyone got any closer to understanding what art exactly was. It seemed that the definition of art was as arbitrary as its criteria of classification: 'What is art?' inevitably raises the supplementary question of 'What can be art?'

At this point, I believe art is to each his own. So, for me, art is the unique journey of a creative expression. Art's impact, art's value, art's interpretation - all of the above - depend on how the expressed is expressed or, more specifically, how the means of expression are interpreted by the spectator.

The above, for example, is art to me. Is the ring art? Is the shadow art? Is the book art? No, no, and no. It is rather the amalgamation of all the different elements present in the picture above that make it so: the lighting of the book that creates the shadows that highlight its arched contour so as to complement the arch of the ring, the shadow of the ring that forms the shape of a heart in the specific camera angle the shot is taken from, and the blue light orb at the top of the picture of an aesthetic purpose that escapes me for now. However, even more important is the context of the photograph. The ring is a wedding ring and the book it is wedged on is one of the seven books in the Harry Potter series. Given that, the connotations of the photograph become more obvious and indubitably clearer, simple even. Nevertheless, because the photographer chose to express the expression in a creative alternative, it becomes a unique journey - it transcends its medium and becomes art.

Christine: What is Art?

Art is arresting. It is critical and discriminatory - a space that is defined, framed, and filled with the purpose of communicating an impression. Even the most basic colors and shapes do not exist as independent objective entities, but rather are subconsciously endowed with meaning, contextualized by culture and society. In creating a particular juxtaposition of already familiar colors and shapes the artist generates a unique impression, subtly manipulating viewers into feeling or thinking a certain way. The reaction of the viewer in turn serves to further contextualize the piece - whether or not a work of art succeeds in drawing attention contributes to the nature of the piece itself and its understanding in any given day or age. In this way art is arresting - not because anything inherent to the piece itself, but because of the audience that ascribes significance to it.

Art is inseparable from society - it is fundamentally linked to our technological advances and taps into our fascination with the very experience of being human. And so I believe the image below, which displays the use of fluorescent proteins to map individual neurons in the hippocampus, is art. The color and framing are deliberate. Its ambiguity as an image draws the viewer's attention, and the knowledge of its source makes it even more intriguing.

1-Madeleine: What is Art?

Art is, put very simply, a symbolic means of communication. It is inherently intentional, creative, and original, and can be used to communicate abstract or very concrete ideas. Art uses visual cues in the same way poetry uses language--sometimes relying on a literal, sensical translation of the words and other times playing with merely with their sounds.

http://www.transmopolis.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Hoboken.jpg

http://cdn.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1288287321-ronchamp-1000x666.jpg

Lizette: What is Art?

To me, art is a broad category for things that humans produce. I think art has a few requirements. First of all, it should be a work of inspiration. There has to be reason and intent behind it. Inspiration gives art its meaning and allows other individuals to analyze it within its context. Art should also provoke some thought or reactions. This, in most cases, forces a dialogue to occur and is perhaps the biggest contribution that art can give.

I've had a somewhat difficult time choosing an image to post here. Here is one of my favorite movie posters for a movie called Memories of Underdevelopment. To me, this poster conveys the mood of the movie very well.

I also happen to think this is art: 

Yum.

1-Lucy: What is art?

Art is open for interpretation. Two different people might look at the same thing and disagree on what it depicts or what the effect or meaning is, or they might even disagree on whether the thing can be called art at all. A few things remain consistent, though: some pieces are universally recognized as art, like a Bernini sculpture or a Monet painting--and similarly, some things will always draw out some level of controversy over whether they should really be considered art or not, like Piss Christ (thanks to Carmen Sobczak for the image suggestion). I think creating art almost always (maybe always, but I’m open to objections) involves some action--performance, application of paint, graphite, another material, building and so on. Even removing--see the image of Michael Heizer’s Double Negative.

1--Charlie: What is Art? with Magritte's "The Treachery of Images"

Most of my experience is with art as a written medium than with art as a visual medium, but I'm sure at least some of the ideas carry over between the two mediums. Art is something that's done just for its own sake, without regard for personal gain or even personal survival. Every time a writer creates a work of art, he/she is creating a separate world, even if that work of art is a painting of a well-known location. Because of this, the artist has the freedom to do what the want with the piece and the viewer (or reader, etc.) is along for the ride as an esteemed guest. Without the audience to contribute their experience to the piece, the meaning is diminished or removed altogether. Art also makes one think, whether it is through subtle methods or much more overt gestures.

1-Berfu: What is art?

Some people are gifted with the ability of seeing differently, or rather, with the ability of being "more aware" of the things around them. This ability often comes with the urge of pointing out to those things, as a means of expressing oneself, usually in a unique manner. We call those people who are lucky enough to have this talent "artists", and their means of expression "art". In this sense, art is already present by itself; in nature, in our imagination, in our life stories, in the voices we hear on the street. It is only called art when all these experiences are pointed out to us by someone who is talented enough to make this display in a striking way, so that it catches our attention. The already existing beauty or experience is framed by the artist's talent, and everyone becomes aware of that now-can-be-called art, and (usually) appreciates it.

Francesca Woodman is one of my favorite artist. She was a RISD student, and produced most of her artwork in Providence.

http://www.heenan.net/woodman/

Jason - "What is Art?"

Art is anything that is motivated/constructed/inspired by an idea. Two cool things about this definition: 1.) It's general, so a lot of fun things get to be considered art (like can openers, fire trucks, cassettes, mustaches) and 2.) It creates a good way to answer the question "what is good art?" by rephrasing it as "what's the idea behind this piece, and how strong or unique or unfathomable is this idea?"

Leah: What is art?

Art is debatable. Every person possesses a different opinion about what constitutes as good art or bad art that it is impossible for any art to not be controversial to some degree. Although people can feel similar about a piece of art, no two sentiments are the same. Artists purposively create their art with the motivation to display a feeling they possess, yet viewers of their art will never be able to receive it exactly. Art can be displayed physically, orally, on canvas, on paper, on people, out of stone, out of glass…etc. And although each one causes different emotions, all art has one unifying factor: its purpose is to be debatable and to be debated.

1 - Hadley: What is art?

Art is a person's projection of thoughts or ideas that can be perceived by each viewer differently. It is not always well-defined, and does not necessarily have attached meaning, but rather allows for diverse interpretations. Art requires creativity and an unbigoted outlook. It can manifest itself in unlimited ways, including poetry, film, graphic design, photography, painting, and the list goes on. Because of its basis in individual expression, it does not exclude the seemingly naive creations of children. Furthermore, it does not require any specific skills or perspicacity, just an open, uninhibited desire to express and to create. 

http://diane-arbus-photography.com/
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/ (This website documents international happenings through pictures)

1 - Amber: "What is Art?"

Art is a universal language of expression. Many think art must be considered beautiful or have some deep meaning, but those are just limitations on what art is. All art evokes certain feelings in the viewer, and giving rules or instruction on what art must be strips the creative aspect of what art’s intended for. Thus, art can be anything from a Monet masterpiece to a simple child’s drawing. Art is open-ended and for the open minded, giving any person the freedom to create.

Jesse - What is art?

Because art means something different for every person, in a way it is indescribable. Ultimately, it is something that is capable of emotionally moving a diverse group of people.

Through this response it seems as though I do not give a boundary to what art "can be". Whether it is a "fountain" or even a painting by Hitler, art takes on many different forms. That does not mean that I like or appreciate all of these forms, but I do recognize that they exist.

http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A3730&page_number=1&template_id=1&sort_order=1

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4U3po0B_pMH1QttPGm6uknAe_4DBBuqC9OMR4kJKMHs__kFEx2KDaRupHqK8xtjmTJLXOENLSGm3MydTKsT3Arpqof22tZiqIWUpkXUdELfBLVYZhb7k-nV_3UllsgB4VqODMPvQPsqf/s1600-h/Mark-Rothko-Blue--Green-and-Brown--1951-166180.jpg

http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A5517&page_number=13&template_id=1&sort_order=1

http://www.wright-house.com/frank-lloyd-wright/fallingwater-pictures/F1SW-fallingwater-in-fall.html

1-Asya: "What is Art?"

Art is a process, a creative expression that comes from the artist. Powerful art grabs the viewer. Art has intent, and this intent can be obvious, or hidden, or interpreted differently by the artist and the viewer. This question brought to mind Oscar Wilde, who wrote a preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray titled, "All Art Is Quite Useless", a few sentences of which are found below:

All Art Is Quite Useless


The artist is the creator of beautiful things.
     To reveal art and conceal the artist is art's aim.
     The moral life of man forms part of the subject-matter of the artist, but the morality of art consists in the perfect use of an imperfect medium. No artist desires to prove anything. Even things that are true can be proved.
      No artist has ethical sympathies. An ethical sympathy in an artist is an unpardonable mannerism of style.
      No artist is ever morbid. The artist can express everything.
           All art is at once surface and symbol. 
     Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril.
         Those who read the symbol do so at their peril.
     It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors.
We can forgive a man for making a useful thing as long as he does not admire it. The only excuse for making a useless thing is that one admires it intensely. 
          All art is quite useless.

childrens' art: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/garden/27art.html?pagewanted=1
cool art blog: http://meathaus.com/category/art/

John Malta's paintings make me uncomfortable. http://www.j-malta.com/

Kim Sielbeck uses red in an interesting way. http://kimsielbeck.wordpress.com/