Hi Asher,
I like that as a definition.
Bart
Bart and Rod,
I have been studying what the process of art might include. My initital approach of just an "Arc of Intent" with the artist doing all the work until the finish, is still valid, but this early version proved insufficient. That set me on a quest, working to solve inadequacies
Then came my crazy photography shooting spree and my back problem. There's one advantage of pain and pills and being confined weeks on end mostly between the bed and a couch and that's time to read! It's amazing how one can get thousands of wo/man-years of scholarship for the price of a few rolls of film! That's how much of a bargain some books are!
So I have really been re-examining my knowledge and appreciation of aspects of art from different cultures and from earliest time. I have taken a lot for granted, just enjoying what is there for me in galleries and books. I am now interested in how we have used art and what art does for us. In doing this, I'm aiming to build a deeper understanding of the process by which art gets made and then functions for us.
In doing this, I am taking my gleanings and using this to construct a
defensible hopefully universal definition of "Art". This might be strong enough to then function as a reference to which I might turn in my own attempts at creative work.
I have been thinking that one might do better if one is building something for which purpose and function could be known.
This definition of mine is devoid of reference to other aspects that might be found in art but none of which are required:
function
particular materials
technical excellence
particular physical form
narrative
epic event
social values
ethic
morality
higher purpose
transcendence
spirituality
understanding or getting "closer to God"
worship
sex or sensuality
purpose
human feelings such as joy, sadness, elation, despair or love or hate and the like
beauty
ugliness
truth
verisimilitude i.e. be grounded in reality or appearing to be so
good or bad
The work must however, get our attention and, if we are open to it, at least for a moment draw us into its essential esthetic physicality, even if one or other of the non-required elements are present and provide an agreeable experience.
This is where I am so far!
Asher