"What is Art, and What is Not?" | Big Think

Summary

The speaker delves into the complex relationship between art and design, emphasizing the importance of art as a cultural survival mechanism. They argue that art's true purpose is to make us attentive, allowing us to re-engage with reality and see it as it is. The speaker distinguishes art from non-art based on its ability to evoke attentiveness. They critique the art world's focus on money and status, which they view as impurities detracting from art's essential function. The narrative includes a personal anecdote about the profound impact of a Piero della Francesca painting, which inspired a lifelong exploration and appreciation of art.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The speaker is puzzled by the lack of distinction between Art and Design, and the confusion between art and non-art.
• 🎨 Being an artist is often seen as a prestigious status due to the importance of art in various cultures.
• 🌟 Art is considered a powerful instrument for cultural survival because it makes people attentive and re-engage with reality.
• 👀 The speaker believes that art's primary purpose is to enhance attentiveness, not merely to provide beauty.
• 💭 Beauty is described as a mechanism that leads us towards attentiveness, but it is not the ultimate justification for art.
• 🤝 The art world is often preoccupied with money and status, which the speaker sees as impurities that detract from art's true function.
• 🔥 The term 'fine art' is humorously linked to its origin in metallurgy, suggesting a purification process that art should undergo.
• 💰 The focus on monetary value in the art world is criticized as a distraction from art's role in fostering attentiveness.
• 🖼️ The speaker shares a personal anecdote of being deeply moved by a Piero della Francesca painting, leading to a lifelong exploration of the artist's work.
• 🌍 The speaker's journey to understand art led to a series of artworks inspired by Piero, which were recognized and exhibited in Italy.

Q & A

What is the main confusion people have regarding art and design?

People are puzzled by the lack of distinction between Art and Design, and the overlap between art and non-art, which is not well understood.

Why is being an artist considered prestigious in many cultures?

Being an artist is prestigious because art is seen as a survival mechanism for cultures, and artists who can create art are highly respected.

What role does art play in the survival of a culture?

Art is a powerful instrument for cultural survival because it makes people attentive, allowing them to re-engage with reality and see the distinction between perception and reality.

How does the speaker define beauty in relation to art?

Beauty is described as a mechanism to move people towards attentiveness, but it is not the ultimate justification for art; it is merely a device leading to it.

What is the speaker's personal criterion for distinguishing art from non-art?

The speaker believes that if something moves you to attentiveness, it is art; if it doesn't, it's something else.

What are the 'impurities' of art according to the speaker?

The 'impurities' of art are everything that does not contribute to its function of producing attentiveness, which the speaker suggests is largely status and money.

Why does the speaker find the art world's focus on money and status amusing?

The speaker finds it amusing because the focus on money and status is not the standard by which people should judge art, yet it is the central issue in the art world as observed in contemporary culture.

What does the term 'fine' mean in the context of art, and how does the speaker relate it to the art world?

In the context of art, 'fine' comes from metallurgy and refers to the process of applying heat to burn off impurities. The speaker relates this to the art world by suggesting that the 'impurities' of art are status and money.

Can you describe a significant encounter the speaker had with art?

A significant encounter was when the speaker, at 18, saw a painting by Piero della Francesca at the Frick and was deeply moved, leading to a lifetime of exploration of Piero's work.

What was the outcome of the speaker's exploration of Piero della Francesca's work?

The outcome was a series of watercolors and drawings based on Piero's work, sponsored by the Italian government, which was exhibited in Piero's hometown of Sansepolcro.