What Is Art
What Is Art
What Is Art
Art as a tool of expression has always been a subject often dwelled upon by
artists and the general public alike. However, also dwelled upon by a fraction
of these same group is that the ‘expression’ meant in that sense of the work
should not be disputable or debatable. It is as though their works should be
treated like ‘god’s command’ or as a commandment that should in no
circumstances be questioned.
It is in utter dismay then for their works then boil down to nothing but
mere narration. Is a picture of a flower really just that? Could it be that the
same picture also inherits exploratory notions or concepts that may not be
as apparent? Could it be that the flower pictured also speaks of a lone soul
whose journey was peppered with much grief?
Art can be looked upon as a tool that explores a certain subject. The
artist in turn may choose to express and propel the findings thru his craft. His
craft then of course might just lead to the intended audience thirsting for an
answer which in ultimatum should be found only by himself. Crafts are like
poetry. The poet is nothing more than a mere messenger whose thoughts are
penned and arranged on a piece of paper. The message in turn is intended
for the perceiver or receiver of this message who would ultimately decide
whether or not he likes the ‘message’. When then does poetry begin?
Simple. Poetry is the very act that connects the message to the receiver of
messages. The line which connects this two entities. That is poetry.
The same ideology can also be used for works like painting or dance
for example. The choreographer is nothing more than an arranger and
explorer of forms who may use these forms to convey a certain message to
an intended audience. The audience, being the receiver of the message,
then receives this message and reacts accordingly. Where then does the
essence of dance lie in? Simple, as reflected in the paragraph above, dance
lies when the tools of the choreographer(the dancers) react to a given space
and discover the potentiality of a given space to its full maximum while the
essence of art would lie in the line that connects the receiver of the message
to the craft played upon by the dancers.
It is sad when artists believe that their craft should never be disputed
or questioned for there would never be any magic in the work produced.
Where then has catharsis gone to? Isn’t the very essence of catharsis is to
evoke a certain sense or experience in a person? How then can anything
possibly be evoked when questioning is taboo. Then, questions do not
become a tool to understand or learn but is automatically perceived as a tool
used to provoke.
Artists should acknowledge the fact that their works would not only
affect themselves as a person but rather may also affect the social, political,
economical, cultural, traditional and racial climate of a person. Their works
stand as a personification of their thoughts and symbolise nothing more
other than being an amplification of a message.