Choice

So many, yet so difficult to choose. How is it that artists make the choices that they do for their art? Is there a method of elimination? A shuffling of options? Do they merely flip a coin?

Art has always fascinated me. Mainly because I have no sense of direction when it comes to deciphering the meaning, but maybe that’s the point of it. Art forms are open for interpretation because depending on the person viewing the piece, they come from different backgrounds and therefore find different meaning. But is that the point? What if the point is to understand what the artist wants to convey? And if that’s the case, how are we supposed to figure that out?

After reading “Paragraphs on Conceptual Art,” Lewitt’s words strike me and make me question everything I’ve known. Art forms have concepts behind them – there are reasons for why artists do what they do. Whether it be the size of the piece, where objects are placed, what materials are used, how can we know what the true meaning is? Is there one at all? Sometimes, I find it an adventure to try and figure out what something means, but other times, it would be extremely helpful to get a push in the right direction. But I guess that’s what keeps art exciting, the element of surprise. In the meantime, I’ll be pondering what the true meaning of art is. In fact, what even makes art, art? Until next time.