Art as a Means

[Maya]

What is it that we, either as individuals or collectively as the human race, strive for in our art? Or, what do you strive for in your art?

What is the artist's purpose? Let us know, however humble or fabulous your assertion may be.

Oscar Wilde wrote:

To reveal art and conceal the artist is art's aim.
It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors.

[J.R.V.A.]

Well I don't consider myself an artist, But the way I look at it, art is a television lol. Just kidding, I think art is a way of expressing oneself, wether the artist chooses to remain unknown, or wishes to be known. Art is a hobby, art is a gift, art is a lifestyle, and art is a present. I think art chooses you, you don't choose art.

[Maya]

Well you sure said a whole lot of nothing.

[J.R.V.A.]

I'm practicing to be a politician.

[sarcasmo]

As a musician and a writer (neither professionally), I can say that I don't strive for anything in particular in my art. If anything, it is like it is striving for something in me... I'm really not sure if, for instance, when performing a piano work, the music is having a greater impact on me, or if I'm having a greater impact on it. Surely I strive to express myself in my artistic outlets, but there is something else there that comes from somewhere beyond my consciousness.

At a collective level I think that art is the ultimate expression of imagination -- a tangible representation of the experience of man as a vessel of the infinite. It is pure, unadulterated, creation and more exactly represents the human race than anything our biological bodies can provide.

Now I'm not sure if I said anything there either.

My cat's breath smells like cat food.

[vermin]

What is it that we, either as individuals or collectively as the human race, strive for in our art? Or, what do you strive for in your art?

Producing a thing that is asthetically pleasing. Something you want to look at (or listen to) again and again.

What is the artist's purpose?

To express what he wants to express through a creative outlet. Whether it's music, drawing, painting, sculpture, photgraphy, etc.

If these answers seem a little vague, maybe you need to be a little more specific with your question.

[Jadey]

I agree with what has already been stated, I think art should be a means of expression. Also, I think art , in general, should prompt some type of response from it's viewer.

[Angel]

Originally posted by J.R.V.A.
Well I don't consider myself an artist, But the way I look at it, art is a television lol. Just kidding, I think art is a way of expressing oneself, wether the artist chooses to remain unknown, or wishes to be known. Art is a hobby, art is a gift, art is a lifestyle, and art is a present. I think art chooses you, you don't choose art.

Well put my friend.
Instead of putting my own words here, I am going to ride with yours and all of the others that expressed themselves so wonderfully.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Maya
Well you sure said a whole lot of nothing. [/QUOTE

Maya,
This may go down in history as my first negative post. I do not understand your comment. You asked how people feel about art and then with the first response you get, you give a degrading response to someone who put their feelings out there.

I think if you took the time to familiarize yourself with this forum, you would see that we are a good group of people who offer support and yes, constructive critisism, but we do it with dignity and kindness.

I feel your response was rude and out of line. Shall you feel the need to discuss this further, feel free to PM me.

[Maya]

What makes you so sure I am unfamiliar with this forum?

My comment was absolutely appropriate. Thankfully, JRVA took it lightly as he should have. However, I asked a question worth serious consideration and not meaningless circumlocution.

Of course we want to express something or ourselves but what does that really mean?

[J.R.V.A.]

Originally posted by Maya
What makes you so sure I am unfamiliar with this forum?

My comment was absolutely appropriate. Thankfully, JRVA took it lightly as he should have. However, I asked a question worth serious consideration and not meaningless circumlocution.

Of course we want to express something or ourselves but what does that really mean?

Wow.... I really feel the need to say something now....
Your comment was not absolutely appropriate.... Qoute..

(What is the artist's purpose? Let us know, however humble or fabulous your assertion may be.)

I gave a comment To your post, as I felt you were asking for. You did'nt say you wanted something profound. I did give it serious consideration. I spoke from my heart. When you said Boy, you sure said a whole lot of nothing, It made me feel really bad, and I almost posted something completly different than I did. Then I thought, Well, I can stoop to this persons level, or I can not let it bother me. I choose the latter, and I was just going to let it go. Then this comment. I did'nt take it lightly, and please don't presume to tell me what I should or should'nt have done. I'm sorry my response was'nt as humble or fabulous as you would have liked. Maybe next time you might be a little clearer on your question, and maybe even ask everyone to P.M. you their responses before they post them to make sure they meet your standards, before they post them and you put them down.

[Maya]

I apologize. I hope it makes you feel better. I like that you added the inane smily face after venting your frustration and self-righteous indignation. That gave it the final touch of exactly the emotion you did not want to convey. Why? I don't know.

Again, I'm sorry. Before asking a question again, I will consider the fact that I shall have to deal with immature prima donnas who still have "feelings" issues that they must point out and dwell on.

Once again, sorry. Also, if your answer came after "serious consideration," then I should hope to never come across whatever you may say or do when you have not seriously considered it. Honestly, speaking from your "heart" should not involve complete abandon for intellectual integrity (ie the blatant use of cliches and unmotivated redundancy). No I did not ask for something profound but I expected to be taken somewhat seriously (at least somewhat so!). Apparently, I wasn't. In fact, I was insulted by your response. But I'm not asking for an apology or berating you or telling you what to do on these threads. Am I? Maybe you should take a lesson.

When you didn't reply indignantly to my response, which, I admit, was out of line, I learned a new respect. However, you have shattered that idealism because, in actuality, your remark, which I had thought to be quite clever and pleasantly unconfrontational, was just a high-handed attempt to not "stoop to [my] level."

No no! Please do not consider my case. It is I who is the bad guy. I don't deserve an apology. I was rude rude rude and inconsiderate of your fragile affections.

I'm Sorry.

[J.R.V.A.]

Well you sure said a whole lot of nothing.

Just like this
:
Oscar Wilde wrote:

To reveal art and conceal the artist is art's aim.
It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors.:

Sounds like he sure said a whole lot of nothing also.

This is funny....

:When you didn't reply indignantly to my response, which, I admit, was out of line, I learned a new respect. However, you have shattered that idealism because, in actuality, your remark, which I had thought to be quite clever and pleasantly unconfrontational, was just a high-handed attempt to not "stoop to [my] level.":

:My comment was absolutely appropriate. Thankfully, JRVA took it lightly as he should have. However, I asked a question worth serious consideration and not meaningless circumlocution.:

Now tell me, Was it out of line, or absolutley approprite?

And this....:
I apologize. I hope it makes you feel better. I like that you added the inane smily face after venting your frustration and self-righteous indignation. That gave it the final touch of exactly the emotion you did not want to convey. Why? I don't know.:

Are you apoligizing, Or using the words I apoligize, to get a few more swipes at me?

I am immature, and I have feelings too. I try to look the other way when I am insulted, and consider the source. I hope I never reach the level of intellectual superiority you have reached, if it means talking the gobbledegook you speak. I am sorry I speak in cliches, and I am sorry this isnt the lit forum of perfect answers and professionial writers you were seeking. I am just me and I really dont try to make any apoligizes for myself, other than if I offend. I am sorry my answer offened you. I really was just trying to speak, and give you an answer because no one had replied to you. I really hope you have a nice day, and please, if you feel the need to bash me any more, please P.M. me,Theres no more need to do it here. We should probably let a few more people respond to your thread, so you might get the answer you seek.

[Maya]

I agree. Let's just drop the subject. I sincerely did not mean to offend but I've gone mad.

[J.R.V.A.]

lol, your pretty funny. I think I have gone mad also. Isn't it weird how when you type something here, it sometimes really doesnt convey what you are trying to say, when a conversation with the person would do each other much more justice. I truly think you are a decent person, and thank you for making me realize this. I hope you have a good day, and I hope you you are smiling.

[J.R.V.A.]

A poetic artist, if I may be so bold
Looks to bring about reaction from their readers.
I, myself, try to write in ways that bring out emotions from the people who read what I have written.
Sometimes they get mad, sad, or even a smile, and when this happens, I feel like I have accomplished what I am striving for. Most artists I know are an eccentric bunch, with large egos and fragile emotions.
The truly humble artist is one that writes, or does their art anonymously.
When I have the pleasure to watch someone read and watch their facial expressions, It truly gives me a rush.
If I have written something and it makes someone think, Then I feel it is all worth it.

[guypunkr]

I don't like to think of myself as an artist (at least not a good one), but in my "works" I express emotions that I don't show to the world. To most people that know me, I'm a really calm, methodical (and sometimes cold) person. But in my art and my music, most of it is nothing but a stream of emotions. It's my outlet for what I keep from the world. Without it... I'd surely be insane, or dead...