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What is Art, Anyway?

 

I recently encountered some nasty comments made on social media (shocking, I know) towards artists about their work and now feel compelled to write through my annoyance.

 

So, what is art, anyway? What are we getting upset about?

 

You may be expecting a scholarly essay from someone who attended art school, but I think the definition of art is actually pretty simple: art is creative human expression achieved through a variety of tools and mediums. In my opinion, art doesn't require a certain level of skill or a certain depth of meaning, only an intention to create and express. (If you're doing it just for fun, you're expressing joy. Yep, I knew someone would say it!)

 

We can freely critique the various aspects of an artwork, debate if the artist's aims were achieved, and hold personal preferences, but these considerations only describe our reactions to, and opinions of, that artwork—they are not tools to determine if the word art applies. I'm not the first to say it: "Bad" art is still art (and it's probably "bad" because it didn't recieve constructive criticism).

 

In case any academics are reading, let's get theory out of the way. Art theory attempts to explore and understand art, and that can be a fun rabbit hole to fall down, but it should not be wielded like a weapon to exclude people. There are multiple theories of art, and theories are not facts. Institutions, museums, and galleries all have gatekeepers (as is their right), but art as a larger concept and action does not. Anyone can have a go at art: make it, critique it, theorize it, buy it. 

 

So now we get to those nasty comments I mentioned. To view someone's artwork, something that they've poured themselves into, and say "That's not art" or "You're not an artist" is a mean-spirited outburst, nothing more. That comment may have emotional weight, but it has no intellectual value. It's a throwaway comment. If these words fly your way, pay them no mind. Give none of your energy. It's probably just a bot, anyway.