Is this art?

Me at an exhibition of some of the artwork my friends and I made back in 2020

Is this art? A question that is meant to probe the discussion about the characterisation of art and what can be considered as such. Two things first. I am certain that my thoughts on this will keep expanding and getting more complex, and there are so many angles to approach this subject matter from, but here I’m just attempting to give my stream of thoughts free reign. To preface this text I’d like to say that the question itself is a dead end; what makes a urinal in a public bathroom different from Duchamp’s urinal? Precisely nothing, except for facing the opposite way. Nevertheless, many have endeavoured to define and characterise the volatile paradigm of art and it’s a worthwhile thought exercise.

The process of one of the paintings I made while still living in Prague

Keeping the previous example in mind, it’s a point of departure for thinking about content versus process within pieces of art. Art is a tool humans have used for expressing themselves before complex societies have existed, thousands of years ago, it is also a tool that has served people in power to maintain their positions, as well as a tool for expressing personal politics more recently. It is also many more things and yet, the definition of the word art remains a topic of heated discussion. Maybe it is precisely because of that multiplicity that there is not an agreed upon answer to this question. Some argue that art is simply anything that is created with the intention of being perceived as such, while others maintain that there are specific criteria that must be met for something to be considered art. Who decides? Who is right?

A collage my partner and I made for fun at a GHMP workshop that we came to find out was intended for children

At exhibitions, it is common for there to be lengthy descriptions and justifications for the works on display. Sometimes, it is as if the artists are saying, "this may not look like much, but let me tell you why it's actually important." This raises the question: do we need someone else to tell us what is and isn't art? Shouldn't our own perception and experience be enough to make that determination? The answer, of course, is subjective and varies from person to person. Some may see a collection of random objects arranged on a shelf as a masterpiece, while others may dismiss it as mere clutter. Art is not a fixed entity; it is constantly evolving and being redefined as society changes. Particularly today, when many limitations are moving aside to reveal a field of art that is much broader than it has ever been and filled with opportunities that only keep expanding. Art has always been a mirror of its time and the current society and as such, it reflects different things for different people and it is up to the individual to determine whether a particular piece is reflective of their worldview or speaks to something within them.

This leads us to the larger question: do we all have to agree on what is or is not art? The answer, is no. Art is a deeply personal and subjective experience, and it is up to each individual to determine what holds meaning and significance for them. While it may be tempting to try to impose a universal definition of art, it is ultimately a futile exercise. In the end, the debate on what is and isn't art will continue to rage on, and that's okay. Art should not be limited by preconceived notions and definitions. Instead, it should be free to be perceived, experienced, and appreciated in whatever way feels right for each individual. So who decides? Everybody and nobody does.

If you’d like to join me in thinking about this topic a little while longer, then you can have a listen to a conversation I had with my friend Louiza on her Podcast titled Curious Mind in Progress where she shares her thoughs on a variety of topics related to culture and society. The episode is called Is it art? and we go deeper into an experience we had at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, as well as exploring the boundaries of art and what can be considered as such.