Let’s examine a few examples of art, focusing on different perspectives, and see how they interact with the criteria.
From the Artist’s Perspective
Yoshio Itagaki’s Tourists on the Moon #2
In the triptych Tourists on the Moon #2, artist Yoshio Itagaki displays groups of tourists photographing themselves on the moon, in an archival color photograph. In the entire series, Itagaki explores “ordinary human practice in extraordinary places” and the universal human compulsion to document activities.[1] One may argue that in such a digital and technological world, anyone can, and does, photoshop odd images together. Itagaki explores this idea too; “taking an ironic position, I am both amused by and critical of the insatiable human appetite for sensation and novelty,” he says. [2]
From Viewer’s Perspective
The Real Brillo Soap Pads Box , and other graphic design.
Philosopher Artur Danto uses Andy Warhol’s Brillo Soap Pads Box and the original Brillo Soap Pads box as evidence that aesthetics are not a useful tool to determine whether or not something is art; the former is art, while the latter is not, yet both look exactly the same, Danto claims. Though Warhol’s replica and the original package design function differently, all package and logo design, including the current Brillo box, is art and fit within my criteria. The graphic designer created the design with the intent to sell Brillo pads as desirable items. I, as a viewer, am drawn to the formal elements of the design – the composition, the color scheme, the choice of font etc. However, the average viewer, in this case the consumer, is also interacting with the design of this product. Although a consumer may not always consciously realize it, they are often drawn to a product based on packaging, showing that there is some idea effectively being communicated from the designer to the consumer that influences the consumer to make a purchase.
From Both Perspectives, Simultaneously
Sketches and Personal Drawings
According to George Dickie’s institutional definition of art, which argues that art is an artifact that is created to be presented to the artworld public, pieces never presented to the public, or people who are prepared to understand the piece in front of them, are not art. However, I feel the artist can both be the creator and the viewer. If the artist creates an artifact with the intention of expressing or exploring an idea, and later looks back on his or her piece with thought, re-exploring ideas presented, then this artifact is art. However, if this same artifact is never looked at or revisited, then it is no art, as it no longer has any function behaviorally or instrumentally. Artist Klara Glosova turns her sketches into pieces of art, which can be seen in her In 3D There is Always 2 of Me, a minimalistic red and blue colored pencil drawing of two silhouettes on paper. She sketches out her dreams and ideas as a way to tangibly explore them. She revisits the ideas in her sketch as inspiration for her future works, therefore rendering such a simple sketch as art.
Classic Forms of Art
One may argue that this definition is heavily biased toward contemporary art, as art nowadays tends to be much more based on conveying a message than its material form. What about the notorious “old guy who paints fruit?” The message or idea of a still life is much more subtle, and there is arguably less room for interpretation. Well, let’s take a look at Juan Sanchez Cotan’s classic Quince, Cabbage, Melon and Cucumber, a realistic oil painting of the items in its title. Formal elements of art such as composition and line quality, are all ideas that can be explored while accurately representing an object. The shape, form and color of objects of reality are explored and translated to 2D. A viewer can then analyze the accuracy or the success of such a realistic depiction. Perhaps some people view still lifes or depictions of ordinary objects to be boring, but boredom and indifference are still emotions and reveal the human response toward such mundane items, such as fruit.
Performance and Actions as Art
Take note that the criteria for art is any thing not any artifact, thus visual art can be a conversation brought about by actions, which are often documented. In 1957, zoologist, anthropologist and artist Desmond Morris exhibited paintings created by chimpanzees at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London. The collection includes an abstract red, white, blue and black painting by a young chimpanzee by the name of Congo. Our definition does not determine whether or not Congo’s or other chimpanzee’s paintings are art, as we do not know if chimpanzees have the ability to purposefully explore an idea or have intent. However, Morris’ exhibition and his act of giving chimpanzees materials with which to create drawings and paintings brings about a conversation with the viewer, challenging society’s perception of art and exploring other animal’s ability to think creatively and compose images. Do animals have the instinctual or behavioral desire to create art? This idea of animals as artists is still being explored, which can be seen in the works of and discussion of contemporary “artist” Tillamook Cheddar, a dog who has been painting for the past decade.
Animal paintings and other avant-garde forms of art continue to challenge our definition of art. This definition and set of criteria is only based on what we have seen in the art world thus far. Our expectations and perspectives on art are going to be ever changing, as we do not know what direction art will go in next.
[1] “Tourists on the Moon Series,” Yoshio Itagkai, http://www.yoshioitagaki.com/2004/tom/index.html (accessed Jan 22, 2012)
[2] Ibid
[1] “Tourists on the Moon Series,” Yoshio Itagkai, http://www.yoshioitagaki.com/2004/tom/index.html (accessed Jan 22, 2012)
[2] Ibid
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Yoshio Itagaki, Tourists on the Moon #2, 1998. Triptych, Fuji-Flex archival color photograph. One photo from a series in which Itagaki photoshops together images of tourists and outer space. |
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Armaly Brands, Brillo Steel Wool Soap Pads box, 2011. Ink on cardboard. Logo and packaging for Brillo soap pads |
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Juan Sanchez Cotan, Quince, Cabbage, Melon and Cucumber, 1602. Oil on canvas, 69 x 85 cm. Painting realistically depicting a quince, cabbage, melon and cucumber which focusing on color and light and shade. |
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Congo (chimpanzee), untitled painting, 1957. Paint on paper. Abstract painting created by Congo, a chimpanzee, for an exhibition on chimpanzees and art shown by Desmond Morris. |
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Tillamook Cheddar (dog), Unicorn Tapestry, 2008. Oil paint on paper. Painting created by Jack Russell terrier, Tillamook Cheddar, using paint coated transfer paper, which is then scratched to form an image on a separate sheet of paper. |
[1] “Tourists on the Moon Series,” Yoshio Itagkai, http://www.yoshioitagaki.com/2004/tom/index.html (accessed Jan 22, 2012)
[2] Ibid
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