What Is Art?

Pop quiz time! Don't worry, there's only one question. What is art? Should be easy enough, right?

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Is it lovely scenes and purty thangs? Or something more all encompassing than that?

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Threw me for a loop when I discovered that people considered me an artist by dint of being a photographer. A much younger and drunker Colonel Jethro once jotted down a note to themselves: Art is whatever the artist says it is! Still not sure if that was meant to be wit or wisdom...

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Seriously though, what is art? Is it that which the artist creates? If that's the case, is it the object or the idea it represents the 'art'? Is it communication? Much like language it can be used to help or hinder understanding but that still doesn't seem quite right.

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Even if we were able to come up with a definition of art, would we accomplish anything aside from creating an orthodoxy to then be rebelled against?

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Tito is an artist, can't you tell by the mustache?

Does it count as a trick question if you can't get it right or wrong? I wasn't about to grade anything anyway, that sounds suspiciously like work but I am curious what y'all think. So what is art to you?

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That's enough hoodoo voodoo for a Tuesday, may the Farce be with you!



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So many different forms of art. It can be expression. Capturing a thought, capturing a moment. But what comes to mind for me in photography is capturing beauty through your eye and sharing it with others. We are all in this world together but each individual sees it differently. What we share with each other is an expression of our vision. An expression of what each of us finds to be beautiful or unique. If you feel a similar way, thank you for sharing your perspective. :)

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I tend to gravitate towards the interesting more so than the beautiful but for the most part we seem to view it similarly.

At the same time, I'm reminded of Plato's Allegory of the Cave, in that our descriptions/definitions of art have more to do with what we perceive and less with what it is.

Thanks for dropping by and sharing!

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Yes, I like that Plato view. I always say, we're all running around in our own little universes. When we stop to listen or appreciate someone's else perspective (universe) we can travel through space!

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And here I thought I was the master of overthinking things.
I really like that last shot.
And, of course, Floof McGoof.
Art. All of it, if you think it is. Your younger and drunker self had some wisdom.

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Lol, that counts as overthinking? I thought I just arguing with myself 😎

Thanks! (the Floof thanks you too) That last shot is from Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument in New Mexico, it's a fun little place to explore. Lots of hoodoos and slot canyons and nary a drop of water.

Yeah, but what is it that makes one think something is art? Lol, that's mostly rhetorical, I don't have an answer for that...

Thanks for dropping by!

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(Edited)

Art is a reminder of the indestructible in this world and in our self. It’s holding Time still so that others can fully inhabit a beautiful and sacred moment they might have hurried by. (Many look, but do not see). Art is attention and devotion. It inspires awe and gratitude.

In short. You, Sir, are an artist ✨

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That's a lovely way of putting it. Thank you, both for that and your kind words.

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It’s a subject I often think about and, most likely, will discuss in my talk, later today 🤓


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Oh, no, no, no! 'What is art?' is most definitely not an easy question. I think you pretty much summed it up.

Art comes in many forms
Art is individual
Art is subjective
Art is open for discussion
Art is what an artist creates which btw brings the next question 'who is an artist' - LOL - okay, better not go down that rabbit hole either

Suffice to say that I see 'art' on e.g. NFT platforms (since we're here on the blockchain) that IMO absolutely, utterly sucks - but people buy it, so - who am I to say? Instead, I say, okay, apparently it is art that I don't understand, like, and definitely wouldn't buy and move on.

may the Farce be with you!

LOL - love it!

p.s. love your photos as always!

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I'd be willing to wager that there's as many notions of what art is as there are people NFTs, art galleries, there's plenty of stuff that makes me wonder, although it's more about my understanding of people moreso than of art.

Thank you!

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i don't know much about art but those are some nice photos for sure

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i don't know much about art

Me neither. In a lot of ways I think that is more of a help than a hindrance. Thank you!

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for me art is something that makes you feel some way I guess. I do like to see some effort, I personally don't subscribe to the 'a white canvas' or a 'banana taped to a wall' is art, I think then it is about being endorsed by someone wealthy or well in with the art world. Of course thats just my opinion and the beauty is we live in a free world so if people want to think a white canvas is art and pay 1 million for it they can lol.

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I feel that. The more esoteric stuff usually doesn't impress me, although I do have a certain fondness for Duchamp's Fountain. I guess it's good work if you can get it but I damn sure don't understand it.

Thanks for dropping by!

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Art is expressing oneself in whatever form of media the person wants. That being said, it's subjective.

Your photgraphs are amazing, as always! Keep dazzling Hive with your artistic creativity! @coloneljethro

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Expression! That's the word I was looking for, kept coming up with communication instead.

Thank you, I'll do my best!

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What is art, basically everything is art because it's in different forms and whenever I go out there and marvel at things. I just say wow tis is art. I might not be correct but guess I'm welcome to express myself lol

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