I would like to extend a comment: "Illustration, documentation, and decoration are exhaustible. Art is not."
The interpretations of art are endless. Indeed, every generation sees more meanings upon those previous ones. There are other types of visual works that exhaust their interpretations quickly. Indeed, they are made to do so immediately. Social statements, sloganeering, political and social art professes to communicate their platforms. Those visual works have a purpose : get this viewer ! and do something since you see the sign !! They intend to exhaust their interpretations in one go : get this.!
// This explains why there are few interpretations(other than the de-constructions of their de-construction); none are intended or desired. And this is why those works are so limited and live only for the one exhibition or demonstration. /// Those types of works may be useful for their immediate communique, but that is the end of it for them. The life of those works is, by their own purpose, short.
"Asked and answered" is a phrase defense lawyers use to close off the inquiry.
Indeed, Carter, your definition is not only unique in aesthetics but also important to neuter the debate on definitions. It is difficult to get around it logically , so "why even ask" is more poignant. More importantly, by tranquilizing the academic debate, your definition refers us into the direct experience of individual works, as suggested by others in these comments, where the open and endless interpretations are felt. Great works deal with our basic human situation in terms specific to the spirit of their time. Explanations, interpretations and revealing those meanings are so much more rewarding that a definition--- Yours liberates this search and revelation of rich meanings.
Thank you for Carter for this engaging post! Art rings true when it is, and the "is-ness" comes, I believe, through direct being and expression. When authentic, transformational expression happens you know it and you know it because the artist knows it too, in the moment of creation. I grew up in the rural Midwest at a time when one only had the radio and television. While driving, alone I heard Stevie Wonder on the radio, Sir Duke from the Songs in the Key of Life album....it literally changed my life. In that instant I felt the power of the sound, that embodied song, and I am ever grateful for that transformational moment....because it only takes a moment to change.
Thank you! And, I think this means you agree not only with both John Cage and de Kooning, but also with the Café as a place where works of art can be found, made, interpreted, questioned, contested... and consumed. The idea of drinking art, reminds me of the famous 1958 performance art stunt by Yves Klein - with the blue punch - or was it a cocktail? I had to look up the year and the exhibition title: Klein’s 1958 exhibition “The Specialization of Sensibility in the Raw Material State of Stabilized Pictorial Sensibility” (I guess this must be a translation). Cheers, Ted.
Art is a faith based on a belief that objects and/or deeds of certain people who are called artists have special powers over human consciousness and intellect leading them in the direction of the supreme good.
Yes, but what’s the difference between art and valuable art. Or, is the question relevant because it was between De Kooning and Cage
I would like to extend a comment: "Illustration, documentation, and decoration are exhaustible. Art is not."
The interpretations of art are endless. Indeed, every generation sees more meanings upon those previous ones. There are other types of visual works that exhaust their interpretations quickly. Indeed, they are made to do so immediately. Social statements, sloganeering, political and social art professes to communicate their platforms. Those visual works have a purpose : get this viewer ! and do something since you see the sign !! They intend to exhaust their interpretations in one go : get this.!
// This explains why there are few interpretations(other than the de-constructions of their de-construction); none are intended or desired. And this is why those works are so limited and live only for the one exhibition or demonstration. /// Those types of works may be useful for their immediate communique, but that is the end of it for them. The life of those works is, by their own purpose, short.
"Asked and answered" is a phrase defense lawyers use to close off the inquiry.
Indeed, Carter, your definition is not only unique in aesthetics but also important to neuter the debate on definitions. It is difficult to get around it logically , so "why even ask" is more poignant. More importantly, by tranquilizing the academic debate, your definition refers us into the direct experience of individual works, as suggested by others in these comments, where the open and endless interpretations are felt. Great works deal with our basic human situation in terms specific to the spirit of their time. Explanations, interpretations and revealing those meanings are so much more rewarding that a definition--- Yours liberates this search and revelation of rich meanings.
Thank you for Carter for this engaging post! Art rings true when it is, and the "is-ness" comes, I believe, through direct being and expression. When authentic, transformational expression happens you know it and you know it because the artist knows it too, in the moment of creation. I grew up in the rural Midwest at a time when one only had the radio and television. While driving, alone I heard Stevie Wonder on the radio, Sir Duke from the Songs in the Key of Life album....it literally changed my life. In that instant I felt the power of the sound, that embodied song, and I am ever grateful for that transformational moment....because it only takes a moment to change.
Thank you! And, I think this means you agree not only with both John Cage and de Kooning, but also with the Café as a place where works of art can be found, made, interpreted, questioned, contested... and consumed. The idea of drinking art, reminds me of the famous 1958 performance art stunt by Yves Klein - with the blue punch - or was it a cocktail? I had to look up the year and the exhibition title: Klein’s 1958 exhibition “The Specialization of Sensibility in the Raw Material State of Stabilized Pictorial Sensibility” (I guess this must be a translation). Cheers, Ted.
Definition of Art
Art is a faith based on a belief that objects and/or deeds of certain people who are called artists have special powers over human consciousness and intellect leading them in the direction of the supreme good.