What is art? (Again, with this.)

All right, no one has posted anything here for a while, so I have something that may be a conversation starter. Maybe not. Just something I ran across.

Those who follow my blog know that I am learning to play the guitar. As I am learning to play, I am also reading Johnny Cash’s autobiography. He’s my favorite singer, and “Folsom Prison Blues” is the first song I’ve learned to play. In the book there is a paragraph that struck me as particularly interesting:

“I was talking with a friend of mine about this the other day: that country life as I knew it might be a thing of the past and when music people today, performers and fans alike, talk about being “country”…they’re talking more about choices–a way to look, a group to belong to, a kind of music to call their own. Which begs the question: Is there anything behind the symbols of modern “country,” or are the symbols themselves the whole story? …Back in Arkansas, a way of life produced a certain kind of music. Does a certain kind of music now produce a way of life?”

Something about that passage really resonated with me, because I think you could replace the word “country” with any number of art forms: screenwriting, musical theatre, painting. Or even just art in general. It seems to me that a lot of modern art, especially commercial art, stems from the artist’s desire to be seen as an artist and not a need to be an artist. “I want to live the lifestyle that goes along with being a rap star, therefore I should break into the rap industry.”

“I would like people to dote on me at gallery openings, therefore I paint.”

Maybe this is nothing new. Perhaps these people have been around since the beginning of art. Certainly seems more prevalent now. Discuss.

Is it art if it isn’t driven by the artistic impulse?

Is this a bad thing? Does using art a simply a means to an end cheapen it for those for whom art is the end itself?

If there is another discussion in there, I’d like to hear that too.

L.09.5 Funt’s 5 Rules

1) It’s okay not to finish something. Process is more important than product. If you’ve learned all and stretched yourself as much as you can, finishing for finishing sake is not necessary.
2) Have something to write/draw with or on with you at all times.
3) Let everything inspire you.
4) It’s never either as good as you think it will be or as bad as you think it’s turned out.
5) Have fun.

Another Book Club Selection

Has anyone here read The War of Art by Steven Pressfield? I recently read it. Twice. And I thought it was just great. It seems to be describing to perfection the cure for Lichtenbergianism.

If any of you have read it, I would like to discuss. If you haven’t I would like to assign it to be read by the time we journey to the little cabin in the woods and discuss it there.