What is Art?
Chicken Nuggets or Rotisserie Chicken?
I’ve always wondered what art is all about… People often ask what do you like in art or what do you look for?
My number ONE criteria would most probably be uniqueness or simplicity. I look for a unique style, it is that piece I cannot figure out (mechanically) that will always catch my eye first. And just as important, I really appreciate work with a good deal of calmness, dead space or the imaginative use of negative space. I need a place to rest my eyes, I need a piece that allows me to take my time and explore what’s in front of me. I do not like the feeling of artwork that tries to overwhelm my senses, being bombarded with too much or feeling like I am cornered, I’d like to be able to fill in some of the blanks myself.
Simplicity is the most underused and underrated side of art. Cave drawings, Ancient Mayan Art, Picasso’s Ink Drawings, Matisse’s Cut Outs and Rothko’s later works still receive a big share of public interest. How about the simplicity and elegance of Japanese Caligraphy, just awesome! I personally equate simplicity with innocence and complexity with fabrication. This does not mean my definition of “simple” art is easy, I think it’s just the opposite. There is usually no room for error or place to hide and tonality becomes even more important.
So what are you, Chicken Nuggets, chopped, shaped and breaded, measurably all the same, all the same texture and all the same taste. Or are you more like Rotisserie Chicken, no two quite the same, some tastier than others but always a pleasure to make them better. Personally, I am on a steady diet of Rotisserie Chicken… Pure Energy I think!
It’s just my opinion!
