What isn't art?

[Jukebox_Hero]

I was talking to a friend about Duchamp and "readymades" earlier, and I couldnt get him to admit that readymades aren't art. I don't think they qualify. They don't have any aesthetic value and aren't the product of any creativity. I'm not saying all art has to be pretty or created, but an upside-down urinal doesn't really do it for me.

So, given a stage or gallery or whatever, what ISN'T art?

[Azure]

So, given a stage or gallery or whatever, what ISN'T art?

Everything and nothing man...

That's deep yo.

[Butcher]

Anything created for the sole purpose of profit.

[Om Namah Shivaya]

Wow I googled readymades and that upside down urinal is considered art? fuck that's not right...

[FrY]

Gayporn?

[Miaow]

There is nothing that isn't art. The likes of Duchamp's urinal, it's not the object itself that it the art. It's more a statement on the same subject of 'What is art?'. Duchamp is basically saying that even a urinal is art, it's something that has been designed and reworked and redesigned just for draining piss away. Even though it's purpose is maybe vulgar to some, that doesn't mean it isn't art. Duchamp is saying that art doesn't have to be pretty, doesn't have to be in a frame, it can be anything at all. Duchamp's urinal is what a lot of people began contemporary art, in which a lot of the time it's the concept behind the object presented, not the object itself. An example would be Damien Hirst's work, The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, the object presented is a shark in a box. The concept behind it (which is pretty much summed up in the title, I'm sure you can get it from there) is the whole point of it.

Yes... I could go on for hours, but I'm not going to.

[fallinghouse]

Words are just amorphous blobs of socially constructed meaning. The word 'art' means whatever we say it means, and trying to find some simple underlying theory that logically outlines acceptable usage of this word is pointless, because such a theory necessarily would itself be based upon how people use the word, and so it could never be used to correct anyone without undermining itself.

[I Still Needmoney]

This:

http://scienceblogs.com/cognitivedaily/upload/2007/06/art1.jpg

I actually saw something like this once in a gallery. Ridiculous. :mad:

[Miaow]

This:

http://scienceblogs.com/cognitivedaily/upload/2007/06/art1.jpg

I actually saw something like this once in a gallery. Ridiculous. :mad:

Minimalism taken to absolute extremes. It's art to me.

[I Still Needmoney]

Minimalism taken to absolute extremes. It's art to me.

It's not art, it's exploitation.

[Nuclear Rape]

Art is art for art's sake. That's how my art history professor said it. I guess it means if it's meant to be art, it's art.

So if Duchamp said it's art. It's motherfuckin' art. By you arguing that it's not art, you give it the position of art. Better just to ignore it if I were you. And say "nice urinal".

[Miaow]

It's not art, it's exploitation.

The only people paying for it are those who want it. How is that exploitation?

[Miaow]

"nice urinal".

Cool urinal, bro.

[Stock Market Anomalies]

Anything you think is art is art.

[Nero]

http://scienceblogs.com/cognitivedaily/upload/2007/06/art1.jpg

So beautiful, so expressive.

[Dark Lord]

If you're not certain if it is art, then it's definatly not. Art involves something that smashes you off your feet, gives you a feeling which you never had before. Or similiar.

[FrY]

This:

http://scienceblogs.com/cognitivedaily/upload/2007/06/art1.jpg

I actually saw something like this once in a gallery. Ridiculous. :mad:

I would say that art stinks like a fart.

Get it, its shit.

I guess if there is an idea behind it that others can pick up on it can be considerd art, yet I wouldent pay to go see it.

[Jukebox_Hero]

That cheapens what people actually put effort into and other people actually enjoy.

I think the stuff I don't like to accept as "art" is made by "artists" trying to be cute, like the girl who won a prize for putting her disheveled bed on display. Their audience are retards.

[Nuclear Rape]

That cheapens what people actually put effort into and other people actually enjoy.

I think the stuff I don't like to accept as "art" is made by "artists" trying to be cute, like the girl who won a prize for putting her disheveled bed on display. Their audience are retards.

And that's your opinion, which is fine. However, no one gives a fuck what you think.

[DJ Meaty Cheeks]

http://cdn0.knowyourmeme.com/i/3376/original/1244741954750.jpg

This is art.

[yawanur]

http://cdn0.knowyourmeme.com/i/3376/original/1244741954750.jpg

This is art.

Most certainly a masterpiece.

[Jukebox_Hero]

And that's your opinion, which is fine. However, no one gives a fuck what you think.

You must be one of the retards I was referring to. Your statement has been acknowledged and disregarded, retard.

[Sir Thomas Gayfa]

photography

[Dave]

What is art? Is art, art? Are we art?

[bangbang]

I think readymades, Duchamp's definition of them or otherwise, are art. Readymades make you look at normal, everyday objects in a different light. The shape of the object, the color, what it's made of.... More importantly, it causes the viewer to think about why the object was made, and what affect it had on them personally, society as a whole, etc. The urinal, as depicted by Duchamp, does look like a fountain. Fountains are considered beautiful, calming, peaceful, and expel water. Urinals are made to collect and get rid of urine. It's ironic. That's my take on it, anyway. Other people may think about the history of plumbing, how it relates to sanitation, and how that helped curb the spread of disease. There are probably loads of other interpretations that could come from looking at a urinal in an art gallery instead of in a public bathroom.

Anything that makes you think is art. Anything that expands the WAY you think is art.

[Tunicate]

Anything you think is art is art.

Basically it goes back to the funny statement they teach you in high school-
"The truth is relative". It's all about personal experience. If you think it's art, it's art, but if no one else agrees with you then you're a saaaad panda lol. The people who are successful artists (this next bit comes from my training as a writer) make their art translatable/relate-able.

So beautiful, so expressive.

so ironic ;)

What is art? Is art, art? Are we art?

well I'm certainly art... and I'm pretty sure all you basement dwellers are too :thumbsup:

[PROJECT PAT]

personally i think 99% of contemporary art is not art. the walker made me want to vomit.

[Jukebox_Hero]

I think readymades, Duchamp's definition of them or otherwise, are art. Readymades make you look at normal, everyday objects in a different light.

Maybe some try-hard jackass. "Ooohhh.. thats not a urinal.. it's a fountain!" or "This is making me think. That' why it's art" No, it's an upside down pisser, and you're an idiot.

The shape of the object, the color, what it's made of

All serving functionality.

.... More importantly, it causes the viewer to think about why the object was made,

To pee in. deep.

The urinal, as depicted by Duchamp, does look like a fountain. Fountains are considered beautiful, calming, peaceful, and expel water.

Some of them. If anything, this thing looked like a drinking fountain. I don't ooh and awe at ver many drinking fountains.

Anything that makes you think is art. Anything that expands the WAY you think is art.

If it takes me dismissing it as garbage for validation as a piece of art, then it really doesn't have a leg to stand on.

[Cult Leader]

Fuck LABELS AND DEFINITIONS!! AHHH!

[Miaow]

ITT: A hippy.

No. You fail.

[Cathy McGee]

Art is anything that has soul.

[Miaow]

Okay, I'll sell my toilet to the local art gallery. While I'm at it I'll vomit onto a canvas as a freebie. Will they love it?

If you'd actually read what I wrote you might understand it a little. But no, appears you don't have the capacity to think that much. Go back to your little Pulp Fiction quotes, child.

[Miaow]

I understood what you were saying perfectly fine - I was making fun of you. Do you go through the post history of everybody who makes fun of you to find a comeback?

Your posts had been noticed for their annoying monotony and boring unoriginality.

[harry_hardcore_hoedown]

Your posts had been noticed for their annoying monotony and boring unoriginality.

Damn, I guess I've failed again. Because every one of my posts is either an attempt to appear smart and insightful, or a hostile response towards anybody who dares mock my pretension.

EDIT: I deleted my other posts in this thread to avoid being infracted.

[InspiredByMe]

http://www.thataintart.com/

[monochrome]

If you're not certain if it is art, then it's definatly not. Art involves something that smashes you off your feet, gives you a feeling which you never had before. Or similiar.

Art is anything like that and more.

The world has moved and changed so much since Duchamp that the very question of 'what is art' is boring and obsolete. Forget about what 'is' and 'is not' and just truck along enjoying yourself looking at stuff. If it makes you hate it then I think that's equally as enjoyably (if not more enjoyable) than if you love it.

We can all hang out painting landscapes for as long as we want, but we can also fuck that off and do something totally different. Who cares about what art is! It's about enjoying thinking about something that you see.

Ps the Stuckists are idiots