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RE: What Is Art? - Part 1 - Introduction
Interesting post topic. I have wondered that as well. I believe art is intentional effort to an end above and beyond functionality. I remember my mom calling someone who was styling my hair for a dance an artist. It seems like the rule applies. In another example, someone could just build a shelter, roof and walls, but intentionally considering balance, proportion, colors, textures and the like, is considering an end beyond functionality...that makes art in my opinion. Good post! Upvoted and resteemed :)
Interesting. I do think intention should play a part in it, but let's take Jackson Pollock or any aleatoric means of creation. Is that then, not art, since there's no intention behind it (except the means by which the composer/artist chooses the method of creation)?
What you point to is someone making decisions based on a set of rules or principles (balance, proportion, contrast, etc.) -- whatever the artist deems important. Or are there a set of fundamental principles in art?
I believe it is whatever the artist deems important, based on their intention. Photography would be another interesting type to consider. Some artists take photos of beautiful things, or mundane, but there is an intent for them choosing this or that, and how they process it, crop it, display it, etc. They could even have a camera take pictures randomly at a set location, but there would have to be some intentionality in why they select particular shots out of the random. In my opinion, art is good when an artist executes their intentions well, and not good when they do not.
Urine in a jar with a crucifix (I don't even want to mention the name)? It probably meets your criteria, but personally, I wouldn't call it good art. >_<
Ew! But really, but what is the point of such a thing? I do think people will have wildly different ideas of what good art is. And that's okay.
I wonder also if a recipe would be a good analogy to art. What makes a good recipe? Some might really enjoy fruitcake, while others find it quite unappealing. Some really like sushi while others don't. Or hot ghost pepper salsa and so on... But, there has to be skill in execution of the intention. And, I think there must be some line in which all would agree something is unappetizing...for instance, something is undercooked or overcooked or an ingredient is added into a painful degree. For instance, a cup of salt in a cake recipe. So there are boundaries to make a recipe "good." It can't just be if the masses agree it is good.
Right, and luckily, we have many "dishes" that over the centuries, people have agreed are good. So by looking at how those dishes are composed, one may get a glimpse into what makes a good recipe.
I think for some it may be threatening to watch the sausage being made, but then you will learn what makes a good sausage, or how to make it better - which are both good endeavors.