You've probably heard it said that, "We are God's art."
We're art. That's pretty awesome.
So, Ai Weiwei said it like this, the nature of art is "to question the basic foundation of being and our state of mind." So, what does this mean in context to being God's art? Anything?
I think it means we have the faculty of art intwined inside us, to use, to create meaningful entities through physical things. How do we do this? Through our own style.
How do we find a style, you ask? Great question ;) Honestly, that's a difficult one--people trying to "make art" usually copy some artist's "style" when aiming at a particular outlet for one's expression. Though, those that "make art" forget, I believe, where art comes from. Art is original, no matter how you look at it. Going back to Ai Weiwei, when asked about the originality and authenticity of a piece, says, "People are looking for something new. But, what on earth is something new? What is the method . . .?" So, people go to art school. . . .
One of the major components of art school is the "education" of art--the Jackson Pollock critique, for instance, or even the field of color abstractions. When an individual outside the education system of the Arts, views a Jackson Pollock, you usually hear, (yeah, you can say it before I spell it out for you, can't you?) "My 10 year old nephew could do that." And, they walk away, unenthused and a little less appreciative of art itself.
This attitude toward art from outsiders has a few of my peers frustrated with how the populace views their "art." And, I understand their frustrations, but I believe art at its finest--at its core value--presents a situation where the viewer can transpose his/her feelings into the art world and understand. That's it. Understand, take something away with you. Art is an expression. Art, some say, is a mode of being.
So, how do we find style? Well, what is original, then?
Anyone?
...anyone?
A human being. A human being is both original and authentic--definitely not a replica (though yes, there are similarities and dissimilarities of the species, granted). But, an individual human being is unique. And, no wonder we make art about us! We can't really do much else, if you think about it. But, you may be thinking--well, similarities can be barriers to originality.
Maybe they are just ways of communicating meaning to others; after all, if we didn't have similarities, we wouldn't have much to converse about. And, art, no matter where you go, possesses similarities. So do humans. :) You get it? The colors, the shapes, the sizes, the depictions, the expressions, the gaits, the gestures, the articulations . . . or inarticulations, sometimes. Art is a fine metaphor for a human being.
So, the unique, autographic styles of famous artists, Van Gogh, say, come with the realization that you and an individual with your own set of perspectives. You see the world differently than everyone else.
Now, use that. You have the advantage of being you.
We're art. That's pretty awesome.
So, Ai Weiwei said it like this, the nature of art is "to question the basic foundation of being and our state of mind." So, what does this mean in context to being God's art? Anything?
I think it means we have the faculty of art intwined inside us, to use, to create meaningful entities through physical things. How do we do this? Through our own style.
How do we find a style, you ask? Great question ;) Honestly, that's a difficult one--people trying to "make art" usually copy some artist's "style" when aiming at a particular outlet for one's expression. Though, those that "make art" forget, I believe, where art comes from. Art is original, no matter how you look at it. Going back to Ai Weiwei, when asked about the originality and authenticity of a piece, says, "People are looking for something new. But, what on earth is something new? What is the method . . .?" So, people go to art school. . . .
One of the major components of art school is the "education" of art--the Jackson Pollock critique, for instance, or even the field of color abstractions. When an individual outside the education system of the Arts, views a Jackson Pollock, you usually hear, (yeah, you can say it before I spell it out for you, can't you?) "My 10 year old nephew could do that." And, they walk away, unenthused and a little less appreciative of art itself.
This attitude toward art from outsiders has a few of my peers frustrated with how the populace views their "art." And, I understand their frustrations, but I believe art at its finest--at its core value--presents a situation where the viewer can transpose his/her feelings into the art world and understand. That's it. Understand, take something away with you. Art is an expression. Art, some say, is a mode of being.
So, how do we find style? Well, what is original, then?
Anyone?
...anyone?
A human being. A human being is both original and authentic--definitely not a replica (though yes, there are similarities and dissimilarities of the species, granted). But, an individual human being is unique. And, no wonder we make art about us! We can't really do much else, if you think about it. But, you may be thinking--well, similarities can be barriers to originality.
Maybe they are just ways of communicating meaning to others; after all, if we didn't have similarities, we wouldn't have much to converse about. And, art, no matter where you go, possesses similarities. So do humans. :) You get it? The colors, the shapes, the sizes, the depictions, the expressions, the gaits, the gestures, the articulations . . . or inarticulations, sometimes. Art is a fine metaphor for a human being.
So, the unique, autographic styles of famous artists, Van Gogh, say, come with the realization that you and an individual with your own set of perspectives. You see the world differently than everyone else.
Now, use that. You have the advantage of being you.
No comments:
Post a Comment