Comments on: Deep Thought Thursday: The arts today

By: Michael Newberry

Michael Newberry — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:54:12 +0000

“Aesthetics and self-expression is at the core of being human.” Adams

“Seems to me that, in the industrial world, the idea that ‘everybody is an artist’ and the corresponding or underlying thought that all expression is valid art has devalued *real* art (whatever that might be) in the general culture.” Hawn

“Art does define a culture – it IS a culture.” Stewart

“it seems sad that, for many people, the criteria for good “human” art has been reduced to art that “machines” can reproduce well.” Smith

“It wasn’t the same “money culture” that we have now, but I wouldn’t say that the art or creation was devalued in comparison.” De Camp

“This is an interesting question since the last art I saw in the top art mags and in installation (this week) all had to do with sharing bodily functions and the results of those functions and/or blank screens….what do you suppose that says about us as a culture?” Richmond

“We are at a point where anything and everything can be considered art. A plastic cup with a red dot on it can be considered art just as much as a traditional oil painting. The only question is how ‘good’ or ‘bad’ it is. True, if I displayed a cup with a red dot most people would say it is not art. However, if a famed artist did the same it would be worth thousands. I’m not suggesting that is a bad thing overall, but I do think that it might be why the importance of art has lost some validity in the eyes of the general public.” Sherwin

Very well said. Thank you.

By: Brian Sherwin @ Myartspace Blog

Brian Sherwin @ Myartspace Blog — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 06:52:36 +0000

Art, high technology (at least higher than your rivals), and wealth have long been the three markings of how strong a society is and how dominate its culture will be. Just think about how weapons went from being wood to metal long ago… metal obviously won. The problem today is that while technology continues to advance and wealth continues to grow, art has branched out so much that it is hard to lock down. We are at a point where anything and everything can be considered art. A plastic cup with a red dot on it can be considered art just as much as a traditional oil painting. The only question is how ‘good’ or ‘bad’ it is. True, if I displayed a cup with a red dot most people would say it is not art. However, if a famed artist did the same it would be worth thousands. I’m not suggesting that is a bad thing overall, but I do think that it might be why the importance of art has lost some validity in the eyes of the general public.

By: Mary Richmond

Mary Richmond — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:25:45 +0000

All is too global a statement–how about much of what I saw….I’m just feeling discouraged about the state of the world today….please forgive me.

By: Mary Richmond

Mary Richmond — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:24:39 +0000

This is an interesting question since the last art I saw in the top art mags and in installation (this week) all had to do with sharing bodily functions and the results of those functions and/or blank screens….what do you suppose that says about us as a culture?

By: Suzette Fram

Suzette Fram — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:11:21 +0000

I have to agree that, today, the indicators of a society’s advancement and standing in the world are its technology and its level of affluence, as the world is, as far as I’m concerned, completely drive by money and power.

By: Christine DeCamp

Christine DeCamp — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 04:14:36 +0000

I have to disagree with Walter’s statement about the idea that “everybody is an artist” has devalued “real art”. Au contraire mon frere. In past cultures where everyone really WAS an artist, and people created their own tools, clothing, etc., which were also works of art—there was a tremendous appreciation of and value placed on “art”. It wasn’t the same “money culture” that we have now, but I wouldn’t say that the art or creation was devalued in comparison.

By: Laura Tyler

Laura Tyler — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:28:01 +0000

Film is the medium of our time. The amount of resources we pour into it and the on-screen results are astounding, don’t you think?

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:04:07 +0000

This was a very good deep thought question, something that can be discussed where every artists and non artist come together. I wonder if the impact of Julia Cameron’s Artist Way (which by the way I’m a advid follower) as hit our society where she speaks again and again about every one is creative person and that the whole society has become creative and making their own art in a way. I think it’s great that we can be creative and address that but your right in asking what happen so that we can help see where we are headed. I’ve been only at it for baby years but I love hearing story from days gone bye. Even look at the why Movie Stars or were and how it is now with the mass media published about them. Well I probably way off track. Good topic!!

By: Sue Smith

Sue Smith — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:11:23 +0000

I would add to Walter’s observation on “manufactured goods” that, in part due to the commercial print industry — it seems sad that, for many people, the criteria for good “human” art has been reduced to art that “machines” can reproduce well.

By: Alyson B. Stanfield

Alyson B. Stanfield — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:50:47 +0000

Michael: Re winning . . . Artists never really have been focused on being competitive, have they? Walter: I tend to agree. There are undoubtedly more artists today than ever. And anyone CAN be an artist. This is very different from in the past. When are you going to start that lecture tour? David: Yes. Notice I didn’t define art. I think that was a different Deep Thought! But I agree that it is an inclusive term as I used it here. It means ALL of the arts–old and new.