What
is Art ?
by Stefan Baumann
In
demonstrations I give throughout the nation I am often
asked, “What is art?” It is a question that
I pondered many times and occasionally found myself in
heated discussions with others over it.
This is my belief on the subject:
Artists frequently discuss about value, harmony, composition,
color and the abstract arrangement of these elements to
create something pleasing to the eye. This is important,
BUT skillfully doing these things is not art.
Filling the white space called a canvas from one end to
another and executing that well, is just the craft of
painting. It’s not art either!
Let me make this clear--visual art is communication.
It’s like all other forms of the arts i.e., music,
writing, acting, and dance. Imagine writing a sonnet with
nothing to say, it’s just a bunch of words. Why
would anyone take the time to read it? Music without a
theme is just noise. Dance without feeling is just a person
bouncing around. Acting without motivation is merely faking
it. Why do we allow painting to withstand the same test?
If you accept this first premise, ask yourself two important
questions before you begin. First, "What do I want
to say?" Second, "What's the best way to say
it?"
If you fail to answer the first question, you are, in
effect, admitting that you have nothing to say. Or perhaps
you don't care whether you say anything. If you’re
indifferent, why should a viewer be interested in your
artwork?
If you do have something to say, think carefully about
how to present it, so you can make a powerful statement.
Use color that resonates with your subject, design an
effective layout, emphasizing your point (story) in the
painting. Don't settle for a random assembly of marks
or bland color.
One last thought on art as communication: If you maintain
that you're painting for yourself, then you are essentially
confining yourself to a padded room, blabbing to nobody
in particular.
Host of the national PBS The Grand View television show,
Stefan Baumann, is available to give demos and lectures
for art groups throughout America.
If your organization is interested in having Mr. Baumann
as a guest speaker, please contact him at:
Stefan Baumann
The Grand View
