Last night's journal page...
So, yesterday I was reading some of my favorite blogs, one of the ponderings of a friend of the great Judy The Wise stuck in my head. I couldn't get it out of my head. The question to Judy of: "Is it art?"

Who can actually define art? It's one of those abstract words. To some art is inaccessible, it's the stuff that hangs on museum walls. It's the stuff that only the rich can afford. To others, it's the crayon drawings of their children that hang prominently on the walls in their home. What's art? Who's to say that "This is art" pointing to the Mona Lisa but "this is not" pointing to a urinal by Marcel Duchamp. We can only define what art is to *us*-to you, to me. I can't define what it may mean to you, but I can tell you what it means to me.

Art is what happened when that person picked up some rocks and drew on the cave wall a bazillion years ago. Art is what happens when a child picks up a crayon. Art is what happens when a cook makes a scrumptious meal. Art is what happens when someone takes the time to selectively choose the flowers for their garden. Art is what happens when I decide to pick up my paint brush, my scissors, my pen and express myself. Art is an expression of self. It doesn't matter the tools that we use. It doesn't matter if the viewer actually likes it or *gasp* "gets it". Art is self expression. Art is a self (a person) defining themselves-this is me, this comes from me. I am documenting this moment in time-this thought in my head, this pounding in my heart. I made this.

That's what art is, to me.

*****

Don't forget tomorrow, Saturday, March 8th is International Women's Day. Don't know what that is? Read more about it here.

*****

My Aunt Joni would've been 51 today...

Comments

Judy Wise said…
This is wonderful, Kelly. My sentiments exactly. Here is my favorite quote by the notorious, beloved Twisty Faster of Blame the Patriarchy fame: "I bummed (my friend) out by postulating that all art, hers and mine included, is nullified of value by dint of its having been spawned within a culture of domination that creates both the 'rules' of aesthetic theory and the manner by which one acquires the taste to appreciate it." It's a mouthful I know but worth pondering. xoxo
Anonymous said…
Holy synchronicity! A friend sent this link a couple days ago. It's right on topic.

Creature Comforts on Art
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDo_vs3Aip4

Janet, from you Stamp Act Saturday class

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