Big Think

Daisy R on January 17, 2008, 2:27 PM

While some are certainly more gifted then others, I believe every human is an artist.

The evolution of an artistic elite, in my opinion, has been terribly destructive to the human spirit. Encouraging rather that every person practice an art or arts in their spare time brings about quality work in all fields.

Designating some as "the artists" has been bad for society.

Daisy R on January 17, 2008, 7:27 PM

While some are certainly more gifted then others, I believe every human is an artist.

The evolution of an artistic elite, in my opinion, has been terribly destructive to the human spirit. Encouraging rather that every person practice an art or arts in their spare time brings about quality work in all fields.

Designating some as “the artists” has been bad for society.

David Donaldson on January 17, 2008, 9:48 PM

i think that the reason why there are designated 'artists' in society is because- like any field of talent- there need to be those who cultivate and improve on their ideas and practices, in order to contribute something new and valuable to the collective consciousness.

for most people, to be given the role of creating art without any kind of intellectual reflection, replying merely on 'natural creativity,' would just lead to the creation of objects that just reinforce established and common artistic and societal norms, rather than challenging, creating or documenting new ideas.

David Donaldson on January 18, 2008, 2:48 AM

i think that the reason why there are designated ‘artists’ in society is because- like any field of talent- there need to be those who cultivate and improve on their ideas and practices, in order to contribute something new and valuable to the collective consciousness.

for most people, to be given the role of creating art without any kind of intellectual reflection, replying merely on ‘natural creativity,’ would just lead to the creation of objects that just reinforce established and common artistic and societal norms, rather than challenging, creating or documenting new ideas.

Phillip Julian on March 18, 2008, 8:47 AM

Melisa I agree with you that artists in the studio environment are solitary and can reflect of a world view or a moment it time as commentary. But artist don't just exist in the studio culturally they are active agents in the world like everyone else and the consequences of what they chose to do or not do travel outward.

Some artists are deeply linked to a culture through the expression or extension of traditional forms or techniques that may go back centauries. In this sense how is the act of traditional Maori carving or tattoo or firing or a Japanese Raku pot or the construction of a technical correct layered oil painting in its own small way not the active preservation of a culture?

Regards Phillip Julian, Of Other Spaces.

Phillip Julian on March 18, 2008, 12:47 PM

Melisa I agree with you that artists in the studio environment are solitary and can reflect of a world view or a moment it time as commentary. But artist don’t just exist in the studio culturally they are active agents in the world like everyone else and the consequences of what they chose to do or not do travel outward.

Some artists are deeply linked to a culture through the expression or extension of traditional forms or techniques that may go back centauries. In this sense how is the act of traditional Maori carving or tattoo or firing or a Japanese Raku pot or the construction of a technical correct layered oil painting in its own small way not the active preservation of a culture?

Regards Phillip Julian, Of Other Spaces.

Inari Porkka on April 3, 2008, 11:15 AM

No artist exists in a vacuum. I find it a baffling over-simplification to think that an artist working in a studio environment would be a solitary agent. You don't take off your "artist hat" when you go home, when you watch the news, when you meet your friends, when you fall in love… it all feeds into the work (consciously or unconsciously). Ok, perhaps a hermit-artist who never leaves his studio would fit the description in the video…

Even more, the postmodern notion of art pretty much sums art up as the product of the culture it was made in. So basically, if Picasso hadn't showed up and painted Guernica, someone else would have done something very much like it. The artist is sort of a vessel or a medium that society uses to make the work of art.

Inari Porkka on April 3, 2008, 3:15 PM

No artist exists in a vacuum. I find it a baffling over-simplification to think that an artist working in a studio environment would be a solitary agent. You don’t take off your “artist hat” when you go home, when you watch the news, when you meet your friends, when you fall in love… it all feeds into the work (consciously or unconsciously). Ok, perhaps a hermit-artist who never leaves his studio would fit the description in the video…

Even more, the postmodern notion of art pretty much sums art up as the product of the culture it was made in. So basically, if Picasso hadn’t showed up and painted Guernica, someone else would have done something very much like it. The artist is sort of a vessel or a medium that society uses to make the work of art.

John Ungvary on September 25, 2008, 1:07 PM

Mary Lou I realize you don’t need confirmation that you are on the right track, I can feel that you already know! Thanks for sharing. Have you written a book about your life? There are many so many people with self doubt who will be inspired by listening to you. Thanks Jack