1/2 - Warren J: Double Feature - What is Art? / Business Cards

1 - What is Art?

My high school English teacher asked this exact same question on the first day of a class on Greek Mythology. His answer was from the perspective of Greek philosophy, but I felt it was relevant to all Art.

On its base level, he defined Art as a mere imitation of the truth – to the point of calling it a “lie.” Because Art – whether it is a painting or a sculpture or a poem – means to represent something else, it cannot be the real thing.

He also identified a distinguishing characteristic of Art - that it carries an instructional purpose. For this reason, Art is also dangerous, because while masquerading as “truth” it can instill people with bad ideas.

Though it is a little extreme, I find this definition of Art actually contains a great degree of truth. While not necessarily 'dangerous' nor a 'lie', I feel Art, at some level, must be tethered in some way to the concrete world to hold any significance for me. Furthermore, Art must also attempt to convey some emotion, idea, perspective, or purpose. In my view this is what distinguishes a work of Art from random thoughtless scribbles, WordArt, and a coat of paint.

Ultimately though, Art is in the eye of the beholder, who can ascribe to something as much or as little artistic significance as he or she perceives in it. There is no definitive reference against which Art can be measured.

The Blinding of the Cyclops

2 - Business Card

Are you a Monkey's Uncle? I used the Gestalt principle of similarity - notice that the letter O is different from the others - because it is part of another monkey's face! Both monkeys hold an expression of great surprise.I wish I could make a more elaborate monkey than this -- o(0.o)o -- but Illustrator was not working out well.
(photo courtesy of nationalgeographic.com)