Is It Art or a Craft?
I have been asked; and have asked myself that questions many, many times.
My definition:
The first time I conceive, create and complete a piece it is Art. I think conceive is the key word, this is, or should be the link to intellectual property.
Its so sad today to see Artist work stolen off the internet and refashion for profit without the Artist consent. Intellectual property rights don’t seem to apply to Artist. Our only recourse is a cease and desist letter. Anything more can cost and Artist $$$ which will probably not be recouped. How many pieces do you think are sold at the big box stores as “Art” or images copied from the internet and used without the Artist being accredited for by name or profit. Just because it is posted somewhere on the web doesn’t make it yours to profit from.
Don’t even get me started on AI (Artificial Intelligent) Art. “IT IS NOT ART”. Its plagiarism from data, derived from Humans. No thought, no emotions, no soul. “If its not stated as AI it should be criminal”.
My Art: My original Art Pieces begin with a concept, an idea, or memory. They typically are prompted from some correlation of my day to day life. My idea evolves over time, what was once a thought or part of me, into what becomes and obsession, to bring forth into a material item. I’m sure this is hard to grasp. I like most Artist need to create, its a part of us and what makes us whole. I am as happy not selling my original pieces as I am in selling them to someone that I believe loves them as like I do. I have offered to buy back so many of my pieces that I have lost count. Its still my Art (a part of me) no matter who is in position of it.
After completing a piece the means and methods become a skill that is honed and perfected, the art evolves into a craft. That is the craft of a craftsman. To be a craftsman is to duplicate ones art. To duplicate another artist is at best copying if not plagiarism. Granted there are people out there including myself that can recreate art in amazing fashion. I am guilty of copying other artist work for my own selfishness, Its not Art…. Some of my pottery is created in the likeness of ancient peoples pottery. The vessels shape may have been made from necessity as it is usually a utility. But the paintings carvings, designs this is Art in the truest of forms.
I believe art is one of a kind. It can be the same sculpture, the same painting done over and over making a new like kind but it is not traced, copied, duplicated, or printed. A dozen Artist can paint the same landscape, the materials may be the same the methods my be the same. It still Art. Keep in mind a print is not art it is a copy of art, a casting or mold is not art it is a copy of art.
Means & Methods:
Like most Artist to appreciate my Art you need to know the effort involved in creating.
I go out of my way to learn the old masters means and methods, or create my own by trial and error and more error and more error….. There are ancient arts lost forever, I can only attempted at recreating like pieces with like materials and manor. I have so many pieces that I readdress with new approaches, new incite, new experimentation, because I’m not satisfied with current results. Those particular pieces do not leave the house, unless in the recycled art bin.
What is Art? That’s for you to decide. Appreciate the effort, the creativity, the originality, the emotion. Ask the artist what it means to them. Whats the connection. They may or may nor share.
My random Incoherent thoughts, rants and opinions… for the day.