February 17, 2008: Art?

[Grismar]

Is it art? Of course it is, if someone says it is and someone else feels the need to disagree, it's not just art, it's engaging art. Whether it's fun, clever or beautiful is strictly subjective. Whether it's good or successful also depends on arbitrary marks, though a majority might agree. But then, art is hardly democratic. Personally, I favour "it's art if anyone says it is". Saying something is art provokes the audience to take another look and look at something with a different outlook.

Besides, as far as the argument goes that "putting something on display and saying it is art making it less likely it actually is art": that doesn't work too well with an average Rembrandt or van Gogh, unless everyone in your area agrees none of that is actually art and, in fact, they have one hanging in their tool shed.

In this case, the artist merely wanted to point something out and succeeded very well, as it was in all the newspapers over here. The only reason we feel disgusted when we see this is because we view our pets as fundamentally different from foxes, minks, etc. Even though we breed both ourselves, raise them in captivity, feed them processed food and enjoy stroking their furs.

The fact that we can feel so strongly different about things so close gives pause and -that's- what makes this into a very successful piece of art if you ask me. (I think it's ugly as hell though)

Greetings,
Grismar.