What is Art?

I love interacting with art both contemporary and traditional art. However contemporary art often receives a bad reputation for being something that “anyone can do”.  I was talking with one of my friends who is actually a fine arts student (and in my opinion does some fantastic work). We were talking about what it takes to be an artist and what some of the students are working on currently. What they are working on is often highly conceptual, and the main complaint is that the public often does not enjoy or understand their work and why it is considered art. Most people enjoy traditional art because they can easily see the technical skill involved in its creation. There is often a clear message and story involved. It is seen to be worth a lot because of the amount of labor hours put into the work, expressed in the precise and detailed painting and drawing skills. A talent that few people are seen to possess.

Contemporary art on the other hand is often criticised as something that “anyone can do” with little skill or talent. However I believe that there is a lot of talent and skill that goes into creating a contemporary piece, but that it is manifested in different ways and is harder to discern. Saying that it is hard to justify why a plain mirror in the gallery in London, is artwork and worth a couple of thousand dollars despite the fact it looks exactly like a mirror you could have bought from IKEA for $10. And this is where the intention behind art comes into play. Art is all about intention. Sure “anyone can do it” but they haven’t, and that’s the point. As a Artists you have to convince other people of your artworks worth, you have to have them engage with the artwork for it to be of any value.  You aren’t just putting up a mirror, you have to explain what’s the idea of putting up a mirror in an art gallery. When someone else questioned “Why don’t you just write a book” if art is meant to have all these meanings and ideas behind it. Well that’s a different medium. The point of art is that it is visual manifestation of ideas. It is something physical that all can see, and take from it what they want.

Some of my favourite artworks are by contemporary artists such as Ron Mueck and Patricia Picinini. I think their work easily shows the skill and technical ability that can go into contemporary artworks. Ron Mueck is an Australian Hyperrealist sculptor and I would recommend seeing him if you ever get the chance. 

Ron Mueck, Big Baby II (1997), polyester resin, fiberglass, silicone, synthetic hair. 

These are huge sculptures and even those in my family who have little interest in art of any kind can stand back and appreciate the work. There is an overwhelming sense of scale and grandness to Mueck’s work which contrasts with the brilliant small details in the work.

Ron Mueck, Mask II (2001-2), mixed media.

The other Artist Patricia Piccinini (Another fantastic Australian artist in my opinion) looks at modern issues and concepts that are facing our world. She deals with ideas such as genetically modified organisms, the use of science to enhance nature, and our own ethical responsibilities. She uses all types of media to portray her ideas but I particularly like her sculptures.  

Patricia Piccinini, The Long Awaited (detail) 2008 Silicon, fibreglass, human hair, Plywood, leather, clothing 152 x 80 x 92cm 

Taking it to more extreme forms of Contemporary Art. I was confronted with the fact that even I have limitations to what I think is artistic expression. Casey Jenkin is an Australian Feminist Performance Artist. And when I saw/read about her latest artwork I was turned off and did not like it at all. I felt that it was purely done for shock value. Her artwork is vaginal knitting (no pictures this time). When asked about it Jenkin’s aim was to address taboos surrounding women’s bodies and female genitalia by attaching it to a normal traditional activity; such as knitting. While in theory I agree with what she is trying to do I think her artwork fundamentally fails to engage with its audience and turns people off. And that at the end of the day is what I think makes art valuable and what defines something as art and not something you walk by without a second glance. Its ability to engage with its audience. 

-Mrouge-