WORKS OF ART
Enduring visual art created
by activity expressed
in metal, clay , in wood and glass
in paint, in stone, in objects placed.
Created and uniquely viewed
the definition clear precise
and any work that’s so produced
will bear the label ‘Work of Art’.
There is much controversy about what constitutes a work of art. Some argue that a pile of bricks, an unmade bed, and a pissoir are not works of art and this sparks a debate which can cloud discussion about the actual merits of the work. It seems to me that if we can accept a definition by which we can immediately identify whether something is a work of art then we can then move on and debate the work without being consumed by matters of technicality. I have researched many definitions but they either fall short of what is wanted or are too unwieldy to provide something simple which is without ambiguity and easy for all to understand. I have, therefore, come up with my own definition which may not be perfect but at least it works for me and enables me to think more clearly when appraising pieces of work. My definition is as follows:
Visual art is the conscious outcome of creative activity expressed through a visual medium such as painting or sculpture or through the assembly of objects to create a unique viewing experience. Any work so produced will be a work of art regardless of how it is received.
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Author:
Michael Edwards (
Offline) - Published: July 1st, 2019 00:24
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 30
- User favorite of this poem: Laura🌻.
Offline)
Comments8
Michael,
Your definition is a definition without ambiguity! Perfect!
It should be recorded in all dictionaries!
Love the artwork!
~Laura~
Thanks Laura - perhaps I should call it Non-Performing visual art - it\'s not intended to capture ballet for example even it is recorded on film which then begs the question about performance art which features in many galleries. It\'s a very complex issue.
Another definition is probably called for for performance art but that's outside my 'expertise' .
A fine write and pic Michael. Oh, sounds like a French loo - a pissoir! You seen Lou Berles lately?
It is - by Duchamp. Yes I've seen Lou - he's one of the Flusha-Berles.
Art in a nutshell my friend - and oh what beautiful art is your picture today........ great stuff again Michael.
Well I am often regarded as a nut - lol. Thank you for your kind words dear Fay.
I think this might just be your own defining moment...
a concise and unambiguous definition that does it for me.... I am glad though that you later made the comment of not applying it to those forms of artistic expression such as ballet and playing an instrument ... the term a work of art is oft banded around by those who are otherwise stuck for more appropriate words..... I enjoyed every aspect of this page sir..... true enough ... Neville
I might even put it in a letter to one of the leading Art Magazines - thank you so much Neville for such an encouraging response.
My apologies for jumping in. I felt the urge to do so after reading Neville’s comment with which I agree wholeheartedly...and your comment, Michael, about submitting it to “one of the leading Art Magazines”...I think you should!😊
4 more comments
I believe we need to define what constitutes ART.
? - any object in a gallery
? - any object bought for the purpose of display
? - any object treasured for its beauty, uniqueness and value
? - then, as ME said, performance of any kind
and so on and on.......
I concur
If an artist creates art why do we call performers artists - and so it goes on and on ....Thanks Suresh.
THANKS UNCLE MIKE ~ Love the Painting ~ English Villages are always paintagenic ! Love the poem and the dialogue about *What is Visual Art ?* You have broad criteria ! Any work produced from: Conscious outcome (not on drugs then ?) ~ Creative activity ~ (Any) Visual medium ~ Any collection
So you would include EVERYTHING & ANYTHING that met the above citeria ?
A Urinal ~ An Unmade Bed ~ A Pile of Bricks ~ A Can of Soup ~ A Green MAO TSE TUNG etc etc !
In essence anything that is visual and presented as ART. This include the HUNDREDS of almost~ MONOCHROMES From WHITE on WHITE ~ through the whole spectrum ~ to BLACK on BLACK some of them worth thousands of GB Pounds ! We often say why didnt I do that or enter my Unmade Bed for the TURNER. I guess the main reason is basically ~ because we are not CREATIVE ARTISTS (Like you are MIKE) but if we were ~ We do all the things Artists have done down the Centuries ! Thanks for sharing it made us both think about *What is Visual Art ?* Also I (BRIAN) have a great Heritage of ENGLISH & UK ART and ANGELA has a great heritage of Spanish Art ! Before we start our Family ~ your POEM has made us resolve to learn more about the history & mystery of UK & Spanish Art so we can inroduce OUR CHILDREN to their ART HERITAGE ~ Beautiful ! I BRIAN give talks to seniors on WARHOL ~ GLORIA O'KEEFE and LOWERY etc because I have an interest in Visual Art which arises from the Walker Art Gallery (Liverpool) and Art Books my Parents have. Spanish Art is a challenge of a Different Dimension ~ AMEN ANGELA & I are both Musical so I guess that is our outlet Oral / Aural Art rather than Visual Art !
Blessings & Joy & Love to You & Yours
Yours as always ANGELA & BRIAN 🧡🧡🧡🧡
Yes I would include all those you mention as art. I think we can get too weighed down by the pointless argument over whether something is art or not. What does it really matter? By putting this argument behind us we are free, without distraction, to get to the bones of it all - we can cut to the chase - in other words we are free to discuss it's merits without distraction over pointless philosophical debate.
Love the artwork and the definition! Missed your artwork over the last few months and I hope to catch up! Christina
Thanks Christina and great to you again on the site
Absolutely.
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