Is it art? ...or Emperors new clothes?
By Wizzywig
@Wizzywig (7847)
March 19, 2010 7:15pm CST
Not long ago, I saw an exhibit in a sort of art museum... I forget what they had called it but it was a stack of those deep foil trays that take-aways (carry-outs) come in... you know the ones that have lids but these were stacked, one inside the other exactly how they are in the packs when you buy them. Any one of us could have recreated it by just opening the bag and tipping them out.
However, there it was, with a fancy name...maybe thats where the artistry lies - in thinking up the title? the 'artist' must've been laughing all the way to the bank.
There are of course, many similar examples of such 'art'. What is it that makes it 'art'. Are critics (and some of the public) just thinking they ought to see the deeper meaning and like it in the way the people raved over the Emperors new clothes in the old story?
I guess everything has an aethetic value to someone & its monetary value is as much as someone is willing to pay for it. its good that we have such diversity in what we appreciate but how do "they" decide what gets into the galleries?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@carmenzhj (120)
• New Zealand
20 Mar 10
it all start with the matter of if you are brave enough to show your own idea. Failed the people call that's crap, if you success they will call it art.
1 person likes this
@apoljuice1 (730)
• Philippines
20 Mar 10
That's a good observation. Sometimes someone display's something, which is supposed to be art, but then you start thinking, "well, i could do something like that, if all you needed was egg cartons, or foil trays or whatever". And then it also gets you thinking, "if this guys wasn't supposedly good, would people believe that what he made was supposed to be a work of art?" or "If I made something like that, would people think I was also good, or renowned?" I'd like to try it sometimes just to see what people would think. And If I could get away with being called an "artist" !
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
2 Jun 10
In my country there is an art museum where people can send in their art. The people who have to pick the paintings and the drawings for the exhibition are very critical, and they only want the very best artists. Many people try, but it is really hard to your paintings accepted at that place. One day a father sent in some random doodles made by his 4-year-old son. It was meant as a joke, but the drawing was accepted, and they all agreed that the artist was really talented. It was very funny to see people's reaction when the truth was revealed 
@sulynsi (2669)
• Canada
20 Mar 10
Art? Maybe. Clever marketing? Definitely!!
My taste in art is so diverse, I would certainly be no judge. I like or don't like something, because I like or don't like it. I might like the colour, the way the colours blend. I might like something because its unusual, odd, eclectic. Don't ask why.
I like Japanese art because it says so much with so little. Simple, yet elegant and beautiful.
I like lifelike paintings, which demonstrate the artist's skill in reproducing what is in nature.
The detailed and the simple. Such a difficult choice!!
My taste in art is so diverse, I would certainly be no judge. I like or don't like something, because I like or don't like it. I might like the colour, the way the colours blend. I might like something because its unusual, odd, eclectic. Don't ask why.
I like Japanese art because it says so much with so little. Simple, yet elegant and beautiful.
I like lifelike paintings, which demonstrate the artist's skill in reproducing what is in nature.
The detailed and the simple. Such a difficult choice!!1 person likes this
