Dominic Eichler has a piece in the current issue of Frieze Magazine in which he attempts to somewhat obliquely answer that peculiar question...“What’s the use of art?”
You can find his rather interesting article here...
For my part...I find his preamble to be seriously interesting and engaging...but find the myriad particulars of his answer (e.g.“ art is the sibling of language, and sometimes they have good fights”) to be just the sort of thing that drains the Qi right outta me....
But that’s only because there is no “reasonable defence” of art...except maybe the experience of art itself.
And to my mind...that’s the issue. An experience. Because those in the art world couldn’t possibly be in that world unless there was an experiential passion driving them on. And without that experience of passion one would have to be awfully silly to remain there...just as it’s awfully silly to go bowling unless you truly enjoy it, and the friends you go bowling with.
Of course, then there is the professional. But a professional is someone who earns their living exclusively from their activity. And that definition makes amateurs of nearly every artist alive. (Not to mention the fact that a con artist should more properly be referred to as a con professional.) Now, if passion were the main currency...well...not only might art have the highest percentage of passionate professionals...but who then wouldn’t be willing to re-consider engaging more art in their lives tomorrow?
Those who would dismiss art (or bowling, for that matter) for any reason whatsoever can only realize that their experience of art is simply bloodless. Without passion. Or conversely, just too frightening to admit...or return to.
And perhaps the better question then is “Just where do you find your passion?”
Because the answer can only be “That’s where you find your art.”
Art doesn’t need a reason...or a defence. Neither does bowling. But if your passion is in danger of deserting you...well...maybe it’s time to rethink a few things.
Comments