What Is Art

[Flint]

Originally Posted by squirell nutkin

It is a total time waster.

I disagree.

Perhaps the question is completely subjective, and therefore contemplating this topic amounts to an exercise in self-examination.

[squirell nutkin]

Originally Posted by Flint

I disagree.

Perhaps the question is completely subjective, and therefore contemplating this topic amounts to an exercise in self-examination.

No, it isn't completely subjective. If you want to believe what art historians, art theorists, et al have to say. The discussion requires an extraordinary knowledge of art and the history of art and theories of art. Regular folks talking about "what is art" are not really equipped to make that judgement.

One of the tests of the 1st amendment relating to obscenity is if the work has artistic merit. The judgement of something's artistic merit is not left up to the average reasonable person. Artistic merit is determined by experts in the field.

Maybe it isn't like asking how far is far, it's more like two people who have never been to China arguing about what the weather is like in a certain village at this time of year.

You could have a great, long lasting argument entirely bolstered by uninformed opinion, but it would still be a waste of time.

FTR, I am not interested in art history, but I know a number of PhDs and they'd mostly just nod and smile at you if you started in on "what is art?"

Frankly, I find Art History to be a big bore. Most art today is ideas about ideas about art. It leaves me cold and it is a member's only club. Only the people who get the references get the art.

It really isn't for you, it's about creating an elite club of the illuminati. A super version of the "No soap radio" joke.

[xoxoxoBruce]

So in order to be art, it has to be pushing the boundaries and/or making uncomfortable, the Illuminati. The rest of us are irrelevant.

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by squirell nutkin

It really isn't for you, it's about creating an elite club of the illuminati. A super version of the "No soap radio" joke.

Agreed. I have found it is impossible not to sound like an elitist douchebag when ever making a statement like "one type of music is better than another" or "this is art when this isn't". I can understand how people like their music or artistic tastes over other people but a lot of people try to convince themselves that they are better, more mature, etc than other people better of something that is completely subjective. Eh, it annoys me.

To me its like saying "the color green is a lot better than the color red". What?

[Flint]

Originally Posted by squirell nutkin

You could have a great, long lasting argument entirely bolstered by uninformed opinion, but it would still be a waste of time.

Please quit the internet. This place isn't for you. The rest of us will be proceeding into the next evolutionary phase of human culture.