Rhapsody in Blue, Michelangelo, my own painting, opera, my poetry obsession, have all been sashaying across my synapses.
As I learn more about these true Masters-- Michelangelo, Gershwin, DaVinci-- I find myself wondering what makes them Masters. Why is their work true art in my opinion, while, say, the Mesa Art Walk does not strike me as artful in the least bit? How do I define art? I had vague ideas, but to focus my thoughts a wee bit, I referred to good old wictionary. Here are some of the more pertinent definitions:
- (uncountable) The conscious production or arrangement of sounds, colours, forms, movements, or other elements in a manner that affects the sense of beauty, specifically the production of the beautiful in a graphic or plastic medium.
- There is a debate as to whether graffiti is art or vandalism.
- (uncountable) Activity intended to make something special.
- (uncountable) A re-creation of reality according to the artist's metaphysical value judgements.
- (uncountable) The study and the product of these processes.
- (countable) Skill that is attained by study, practice, or observation.
Art must have beauty. It can be a terrible beauty, but it must draw us in and be appealing to the senses. To do that, it must have order.
Art must have truth. It must hold a reflection of the eternal and what it means to be human. It must speak to us of God and His work and glory. Fortunately, I have learned that it is easy for beautiful things to carry truth, because the truth is so often beautiful. Whether an individual sees truth in a painting may often more upon the viewer than the painting. Where viewer 1 may see only a vase filled with flowers, viewer 2 sees the truth and beauty inherent in humanity's desire to capture and enjoy the wonder of God's creations, and their corresponding desire to create and bring things into order. Viewer 1 does not see truth in the painting; viewer 2 does.
Art must be the result of self-discipline, of "study, practice, and observation". It must come through a process of perfection and refinement.
Why does it matter how I define art? Because I want to create it. I want to create it through painting, through music, but most importantly, through the medium of my life: a life of beauty and truth, a life of practice and refinement. All of wiktionary's definitions of art can apply most directly to the creation of a life. I am so grateful that I have been given the direction and tools necessary to make a masterpiece.
Now on to that practice part...
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