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Quote:

Originally Posted by Alasdair

Giving someone a piece of paper and some paint doesn't mean that they will produce art, it could just end up a mess. Giving someone a pre-bonsai and a few pieces of wire could end up the same way.

I disagree. I think anyone with almost any medium can create art. Just, perhaps, not marketable art. I get tired of elitist, narrow minded views about art . Everyone can be an artist. Of course, not everyone can make stuff that sells to art consumers (unless you factor in ebay

). Art on its own is self expression. Art using standards and rules is measurable and is not black and white. If I want to get out some cheap tempera paints or a wad of playdoh, just to express something spontaneously, I am "doing art" that means something to me. If I want to set a blank canvas on my old, worn easel and begin a process of composing a painting which follows well accepted standards of good composition, use of color, balance of lights and darks, interesting application of texture, and provocative subject matter, (etc etc), then maybe I can end up with something that conforms more to what others would percieve as art. Either way, I'm making art, regardless of what critics say. Case in point; have you seen works by Kandinski or Jackson Pollock? There are those who might say their works aren't really art. Some critics even said as much about Picasso's early works. Now their names are as recognizable as apple pie.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will Heath

Seems like the people who are most adamant about not having or being involved in discussions like these are the ones who post. I for one enjoy them, do I not have a right to have a serious conversation along the lines that smoke brought up without the off topic, derogatory, patronizing comments?

Fair point, Will...I just think these discussions can get a little tedious and overextended after a while, that's all. And, as my participation illustrates, sometimes I'm willing to enter that once in a while. But your point is well taken. To each his own, I guess.