What is Art? I always use my "Fourth Dimension" test to find out whether something is "art" or at least what level it's on. The first dimension is art done as craft, without regard to hidden meanings and is done as decoration--to make life more beautiful for some people. The work of Thomas Kinkade (See http://www.thomaskinkade.com ) is a good example. The second dimension is an extension of the first, and is done with a more developed sense of craft; and perhaps plays a bit with concept. The Third dimension adds social commentary, parody and irony, and is less concerned with craft and more with communication. There is more beyond the frame in level 3 work, but can still be aesthetically pleasing. Level 4 excludes, most, if not all of the characteristics of the previous 3 levels, and reduces art to pure concept, and in many cases deception, perception and misperception. Marcel DuChamp's urinal is a good example. He wanted to communicate that everyday objects ("readymade") were art too, and the craftsmen that made them were engaged in the making of art as a level 1 or 3 artist would be. If you feel flummoxed by certain pieces of art, music, films, etc., it's because the creator has chosen to extend the work beyond your immediate perceptions. This can be done to great effect (as in Duchamp: the art world was never the same after that) or to great failure because people would never understand it and/or would incite unexpected controversy. Violent lyrics are a good example: the artist intends to use them as a vehicle for social commentary or to conceal ulterior meanings, and in the end creates negative side effects. Lee Barry August 30, 2003 Copyright 2003, Lee Barry. All rights reserved.
What is Art? I always use my "Fourth Dimension" test to find out
whether something is "art" or at least what level it's on. The
first dimension is art done as craft, without regard to hidden
meanings and is done as decoration--to make life more beautiful for
some people. The work of Thomas Kinkade (See
http://www.thomaskinkade.com) is a good example. The second
dimension is an extension of the first, and is done with a more
developed sense of craft; and perhaps plays a bit with concept. The
Third dimension adds social commentary, parody and irony, and is
less concerned with craft and more with communication. There is
more beyond the frame in level 3 work, but can still be
aesthetically pleasing. Level 4 excludes, most, if not all of the
characteristics of the previous 3 levels, and reduces art to pure
concept, and in many cases deception, perception and misperception.
Marcel DuChamp's urinal is a good example. He wanted to communicate
that everyday objects ("readymade") were art too, and the craftsmen
that made them were engaged in the making of art as a level 1 or 3
artist would be. If you feel flummoxed by certain pieces of art,
music, films, etc., it's because the creator has chosen to extend
the work beyond your immediate perceptions. This can be done to
great effect (as in Duchamp: the art world was never the same after
that) or to great failure because people would never understand it
and/or would incite unexpected controversy. Violent lyrics are a
good example: the artist intends to use them as a vehicle for
social commentary or to conceal ulterior meanings, and in the end
creates negative side effects. Lee Barry August 30, 2003 Copyright
2003, Lee Barry. All rights reserved.
