What is Art?
I guess the answer to that question is almost anything these days. Modern art can be “interesting” to say the least. In fact, I often wonder about the minds of some contemporary artists and what planet they were on when the concepted their idea, but perhaps I am a little conservative as I had been taught that art was something with a frame, throw in a bit of sculpture and there you go.
Not today, art covers anything creative, so I guess I am now what I always wanted to be – an artist. How cool, do I now get to be free to say anything I want, wear weird clothes, have wild mood swings and put big price tags on my work? I don’t think so. Food for thought, it might me energizing to let loose and play the wild artist once and a while. I am digressing.
Art or the arts includes dance, music, drama, comedy, writing, anything that has the slightest bit of creativity to it. That must mean we can draw a definite line between members of the art world and the rest, our brains are quite different. Ask a ballerina what she sees in a painting, then ask an lawyer, the ballerina will see a story, movement, color, emotion as that is the way she is trained to think (or feel), the lawyer will see the facts, what they can recognize as normal and anything else is just weird. (sorry lawyers – I had to choose one profession and my sister and sister in law are accountants, so I would get in trouble for using that industry).
Where I am coming from here is that we all see art or the world in a different way, but we don’t just see it, we hear it, we feel it, it sparks something inside us, be it good or bad emotion it makes us think. So my definition of Art is something that makes us think, or changes our line of thinking, lets us stretch our brains a little outside our comfort zone and creates an emotional response.
Now that I have shared my ideas about art, inspired by visiting our local art gallery yesterday with my family and viewing all sorts of weird and wonderful pieces of art, I should talk about interiors as that is what this blog is focused on.
So how can we incorporate art into our homes, I must admit, some of the sculpture we say yesterday was so fragile, that it would be in pieces if we had it in our home, so for now I will be sticking with art on the walls (here is an article on how to hang artwork). I think some art is best kept in a gallery for everyone to see.
I collect my children’s art as it reminds me how children see the world, big happy faces, with over sized eyes, huge smiles, hand holding stick figures, simple bright color and an innocence that is so quickly lost in today’s fast paced world. Oh I am getting distracted again! I am up early as we had another after shock this morning that shock the house for quite sometime, so I couldn’t sleep.
Actually for a change instead of me telling you how to do things, I would like to hear from you about how you use art in the broad term in interiors. Please leave a comment below, don’t reply to your email as no one but me will see it, simply leave a comment below and we can get a good idea of how we can use art in different ways. Here is one example that just sprung to mind, I walk past a house every morning and it has fabulous sculpture in the garden, you can view it from all angles this way and it changes it’s appearance in the different light and the different seasons. Blast, another after shock. Gotta go, please leave a comment, got to check the children.
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art art art . the thing that I like and could not have it. actually, art has strong effect to the mood . I have difficulties to use the art in interior design because of some reasons
1- the fast updating for the mode and technology.
2- the load of work and life stress I can't have the good mood to design.
3- maybe I don't have the talent
in the country where I am from, they can make art from any thing. the arabic tent, the handmade tools, the natural desert, ….. , the simple paint, the romance poems and the traditional music.
I agree. Art is anything from what you wear to what you eat!
To me art defines who I am and where I come from. In my country we have diverse cultures which are represented by the different arts through painting, carvings, weaving, ways of cooking, music, village home settings, language etc, all these define each unique cultural group we belong to. I call it the beauty of Arts!
Hi this is Shreyas from India I am an artist and for me art is some thing that moves the spectator aesthetically. The art work should evoke some emotion and must communicate some feeling or it must remind the spectator the experiences that he or she has ecperienced in his life time. Regarding the prices it is the art market to decide about it. One must also read the litrature written by Sir Leo Tolstoy.
Would like to mail some of my works.
Art is the philosophy that reflects a thought.life is art, art is nature
Art is when people looking or listening something, because has something new, something different. To create different, is to create art. Artists are unique.
Read the Leo Tolstoy book
Art is truth, beauty, and good.Truth means it must be related to the Almighty in account to God's laws & statutes in the Torah.
This is Kajal from India,I think..
'Art' is way of doing things differently but beautifuly.
It could b in anything u do.
Yes, I agree. Art is ceativity that is playing in your mind. I used to compose songs and in doing so a lot of notes & lyrics are playing in my mind and its just a matter of how you compile the notes and lyrics to come up with a good song. Just like a song writer a designer has a creative mind as well. And the product of this is art.
My brother uses hand materials to carve out images with an object on metal and it takes weeks to complete one piece. People should be able to identify the hours of work that artists' put into their work to complete pieces and would therefore not complain about the price tag. visit http://artmetal.yolasite.com
Art iis what we create in our minds
Hi, this is Kirti from India. According to me, art is the combination or mixture of thoughts in mind which can be given any tangible form.for eg: experiences of life, thoughts, moods,thinking, behaviour,likes,dislikes,personality,culture,traditons,etc..These can be given tangible forms such as painting,statue, colours to reflect mood & personality,view about some issue etc…Concluding all above, "Art is simply a process and skill to convey some thing which has some purpose,story, meaning through creative use of available resources".
First Lee, how are doing? Is the nature still acting up? Hi, its Yelena. I like how you redesigned the site, it looks more artistic. The art is the way to express once feelings, view on life, love and other fundamental things. In Russian we have a say, that the souls sings, when the soul cryes. It means that you can sing better or more affectioately, whe you are sad, in-love, upset or experiencing other deep feelings. The same goes to art, music , even design. I think that artist has to pull its creation thourough the radar of its heart before implementig it. That way it will touch other's hearts too and then the magic of art will happen. And this is art. Please read Leo Tolstoy, but listen to Yany's piano music.
Art is summarized in design, beauty, creativity and is personal to each and everyone of us which is why we have different 'tastes' and don't see things the same way. That is the reason why the world keeps improving in terms of products, technology etc.Without art, everywhere would be dull and boring.Anything that fits into these is art
great comments guys thanks so much, and yes we are still getting quite a few after shocks and it looks like we will for the next year….we will just have to learn to live with it.
Lee
Art is —An idea genereted in nature [ man , machine , creature…]and taking a "beautiful physical form" revealed to the world .
The term art has expanded in the last 20 years -because the communicati0n and travel has become so simple- it is not the same anymore- because of the ammount of information we take in about life and people -we constantly broaden our understanding of things-art also..but if we are talking about wall art- sculptures-then i would say it can be defined as an emotion or as a statement
ART, art is the simple and best way you can design anything and make it looks presentable,,,its a way to express how you feel and highlight the the things you love the most.. Art is the way you use the simple thing to decorate your home and bring out a natural beauty and i could go on but next time.
I was wanting to replace my picture over my sofa but could not find what I wanted for months. Then one day I was with friends in a discount store and there It was. I bought a wagon wheel. I brought it home and hung it up. I flanked it on either side with two oil lamps that I already owned. It looks terrific and makes me happy when I see it.
I have to agree that art is all about how you feel. I have seen many pieces of pricey art that makes me shake my head and say "huh"? I like pieces that make me feel a certain way; such as something that reminds me of a place I visited, memories. A piece that highlights some of the things I adore about all four seasons……In any case, it has to make me feel good, but art means so many things I think, to so many people!
Art is what you want it to be, to have because you like it's form, colour or technique and makes a statement. Somebodies ideas and time has been poured into its creation and that makes it special. Liz
nice to discuss this topic mrs lee brown,
art is nothing but it GOD'S gift. in every human being on this earth god has gifted that..but it is diffrent in every one..and so they are special or creative in that field…ya but main thing is that we have to know and spark it from our skills..
And so we have gifted the art in INTERIORS…so we are creative and bring it out by modifing and creating the new innovations in this field..
in real life i am business student but i create many ideas by art so others are shocking that i am in this field…and one most helping person is LEE BROWN… who guided me from her art…THANK YOU LEEji….
ya u r right lee,, as an Indian I think art should be like it can give u the peace and relax, as wellas a new height of thinking..
gyanendra pratap singh'
interior designer and vaastu consultant..
India
+919958267287
Hiya,
Arts is everywhere!!!!!most especially within yourself because what people express is what we admire..
Hi maam.
Art to me is a deep way of expressing yourself and how you feel on the inside. In the aspect of sculpture and paintings, art could interprit the kind of person an individual is.It may be his personality,how versatile, and how individuals think and relate with their environment at large.
Art is a beautiful expression of life because it unites” life” i.e. everything living and inanimate in a harmonious way
I'm not usually inclined to surround myself with stuff from the modern, plastic world we're trapped in and I always find myself looking for some classic American-style artwork to surround myself with at home. I recently picked up a piece of amazing stoneware pottery and a beautiful handpainted floorcloth at Banbury Crosse and I've gotta say, although some of the stuff seems a little bit expensive, the quality is amazing. It's impossible to find any of this kind of stuff at any store I shop at near home. Highly recommended.
art! art! just as you said from the beginning is about how you feel but i believe as an artist everything you do is about art. i see art everywhere on the drying line, the arrangement of the groceries in a shop…… but then i realise its just me so therefore art is not aurrounding yourselves with expensive artwork or paintings but even in the way your bowls are packed, the way you dress is art.
Hi,I am Sandhya. Art is an expression of the Divine in all of us. It touches our hearts be it melodious music or a beautiful painting. It is a God's gift to human beings since that is what differentiates us from animals. When there is no art in our lives, we become animals or plain machines. Hence it is important to accomodate art in our daily lives by keeping our homes and offices beautiful.
Hi,I am Sandhya. Art is an expression of the Divine in all of us. It touches our hearts be it melodious music or a beautiful painting. It is a God's gift to human beings since that is what differentiates us from animals. When there is no art in our lives, we become animals or plain machines. Hence it is important to accomodate art in our daily lives by keeping our homes and offices beautiful.
i love art and i paint as a hobby and it is usually how i am feeling inside or the things i imagine in my head that i might not be able to express with words. so i would say art is the expression of the inner self or mind.
hi i am nidhi,art i think is within u.one can experience it,but its only the way u see at it .i personally think art is creative and it comes naturally to u i dont think u have to lern it .i respect and admire artists .
Yeah I guess everyone has got different ideas of what art is…mmh there are some feelings which can't be expressed by word of mouth…art is a strong weapon that people use to communicate…and I think thats why not everyone understands art…it is something that needs a creative person,a social person,and a very calm n relaxed person…art is a way of communication…u cnt hear buh u cn c wat it rily says…u can express love thru art,u can express joy,u can express sorrow n etc…i find those who understand art lucky coz nawt evry1 hs gawt diz ability…so doz who know wat ART is pleas show the world ur talent thankyou!
Hi Lee
I feel like you about art! When I look at art I want to know what it is I am looking at. Someone that can paint a beautiful person or the beautiful earth we live in and you don't have to do contortions trying to figue out what it might be is art and a REAL artist! The other people have no talent,if they did you would know what it is your looking at instantly!
Lee
I feel the same as you about art! I want to know what it is I am looking at! I love the old masters.
hi lee.
it's me again, badryah. from my point of view, art is unique. be it the way one looks at things, does things or creates things. everyone can call oneself an artist because one has different ways of appreciating things like a saying "beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder". i call myself an artist because i'm good at handycrafts. i can crochet. it's a way one making use of threads into something lovely like doilies, tablecloth etc.i do creative writings too such as poetry. all these are arts. infact, art is our live.
hi Lee this is Sumerah
at first when i got ur mail in my inbox i thought it wud b just like all those art critics who think that they can sell or pass on an obnoxious piece of work by talkin with sophisitcation n complexity…but i was surprised tht so many ppl thing the same way abt art.
i think art plays a major role in our lives it is art that makes us happy n art that gets us emotional …those paintings of kids that u luk at lovingly when they grow up.. tha musical piece that takes u down memory lane…
art is such a large part of our everyday lives that we may hardly even stop to think about it. Art is something that should not only be functional but aesthetically pleasing to almost everyone..everything is art from a ball pen to the interiors of our house…i beleive art is something that expresses a moment of truth n touches ur heart..it shdn't be offensive..but yeah it is subjective so every single person on earth would like a different means of art!
Hi Lee, my name is Carina, I'm from Russia. Thanks for the great work you do for free for beginners in design..its trully useful!
As for the topic, I think ART – is the UNIQUE LANGUAGE by means of which artist or musician (and ctr.) speaks to us.
Sometimes it seemes easier and more prductive say what you feel others to understand you, by means of ART, but not simple language we all can speak.
…and as for contamporary art, I think it successfuly reflects today's values. Its more important to impress spectator by SIZE, unusual forms and used new materials in so called "art" than to reveal unique soul value…
hi Lee this is Sumerah
at first when i got ur mail in my inbox i thought it wud b just like all those art critics who think that they can sell or pass on an obnoxious piece of work by talkin with sophisitcation n complexity…but i was surprised tht so many ppl thing the same way abt art.
i think art plays a major role in our lives it is art that makes us happy n art that gets us emotional …those paintings of kids that u luk at lovingly when they grow up.. tha musical piece that takes u down memory lane…
art is such a large part of our everyday lives that we may hardly even stop to think about it. Art is something that should not only be functional but aesthetically pleasing to almost everyone..everything is art from a ball pen to the interiors of our house…i beleive art is something that expresses a moment of truth n touches ur heart..it shdn't be offensive..but yeah it is subjective so every single person on earth would like a different means of art!
Art is what you make of it….painting, drawing etc. It's the love of art that puts you in another world.
Art.. Art is something like making a fine line between world and your own conceptual thinking. Using Art in interior dezine could be good. Suppose in your own house, you can art .. take the example of painting on walls, what you think, what you believe . but through an interior designer eye , you should see that will it look good? Drawing or throwing a sculpture on wall (not in frame) about what you think, could be a good idea!
Hi Lee"from South Africa"
Yeah as an artist"oil painting", my art always reflects something of my inner self so ,my philosophy about any art work is that it has to be self explanatory , if someone needs to explain to me as to what I am supposed to "see"then it becomes an interpretation of someone else's view point.
Hi, what a great topic. To me art is all about the way we approach life. I love the philosophy of the 'art of living' After being a student of several art mediums I left the art world in disgust at the huge cost of materials to the artist vowing to study the 'art of living' instead This purely means to invite the beautiful and creative into our lives – whether its in our garden, our cooking, how we present ourselves and what we surround ourselves with. When we separate art from the everyday, we are denying ourselves connection to the beauty and bounty that surrounds, and the ability for man to reach his higher potential as he falls prey to being content with the mundane. As an interior designer this is one of my main focuses in how we interpret our living spaces. Rather than surround ourselves with junk better to have a simplistic view and even if our room only contains a beautiful vase say, displaying a gorgeous bunch of flowers that we perhaps grew, then we have truly captured the essence of the artist
I have a definition of Art: For me it transmits a range of feelings and most of them touch my soul. Listening Mozart I can find art, looking at a painting; the Nature is the most perfect Art;the colors of a rainbow;it´s the way to communicate style, beauty and balance among objects in the same environment this description is related to the art objects in general which we choose for decorating for example our home, so Art and beauty are together in my opinion.
Maria Cristina
I agree, art is different for everyone. I use art to bring color, interest and balance to a room. In home staging art placement is different than for redesign, for staging you want to appeal to most people and when doing redesign I work with the clients interest, colors and what mood fits the room art is in.
Wouldn't agree more. Art is what we live today, everything around us is. Its a blessing I happen to live in Africa, everything around me is inspiring, the sunshine, the surroundings. This has made me look at everything with an artists eye, can create a lot with our imagination mixed with the surroundings topping it with the colours available. Illuminated by the sunshine. Love your article.
'
I agree with you Lee, art is presented to everyone and everyone has different eyes to see, feel and also internal conceptions about beauty, aesthetics, and what really art transmits to a client for example, the color influences his/her mood, the way is placed in a room and how to bring balance to this room it is very important to the designer to advise the client and all experience and feelings the designer obtained previously will defitely helps this client to decide what art will fit in the room or a special one.
Although I am into colour to me Art hung on the walls of an interior space has everything to do with creating a memory or mood. If you are hanging art for that "pop" of colour or to go with the decor, to me that is styling. Art has nothing to do with "going with" or "fitting in". A great piece of art has it's own vibration and sense of integrity.
Art to me, is an expression of an individual's perception and/or mental arrangement of life. It's a strong conception of the mind that doesn't go away until it is expressed for people to experience satisfaction from it. It's absolutely relentless!
I love that the lines of communication have opened up like this…that is an act of creativity
Once looked up the word “Art” in the dictionary and it said: see, “Be” … as in, “thou art…”
Perhaps, Art with a capital letter is, to be + aspirations [soul]?
The art(s) of living and also as a pure study (of what that might mean) via the chosen medium
In terms of Interior Design & Decoration, hanging Art is about space, light, and connection or conversation – with the other objects and with the people who live there
Hi
Art is an expression. Through which the artist expresses his way of looking at world, his perception about things around him.
I see art in everything around me, even in the way people talk, dress, walk….it's an expression of inner style.
In interiors this is expressed very evidently through all mediums.
Thanks for your expression on Art.
Art is a way of thinking
Art is always two ways for me, COMMERCIAL art and EXPRESSIVE art. Commercial art being the standard of aesthetics for the moment; a certain era, a fad maybe, or anything at given time frame. Artists here aim to please on the basis of mass appeal. It is art done for consumerism. Expressive art on the other hand is art amongst each and every individual. One that speaks of the artist, professional or not; art that shows personality. It could be me or you doing DIY stuff, creating it in such a way that only the artist finds appealing. It need not please anybody except the artist himself.
Hi Lee, I would not call myself an artist but I see art as beauty. I make a dish and once nicely plated,its art. The dog sits and has its sights set afar, as though thinking. I wake up in the morning and outside the window you see flowers blossom. I love flowers, especially roses in any form. The different colour are an exceptional beauty and can always be incorporated into interior decorating. In essence, I see arts in nature…..
Art is indeed life. The more people begin to understand this and remove the drama from art that prevents so many people from being able to afford and benefit from some art is the more the world will become a full paradise and not just a paradise for some. Unfortunately, as the universe unfolds, we have to work with its evolving and time, for life itself continually reconstructs itself causing voids, and requires the artists to help unfold the process. All art and artists are the fillers of voids. I especially believe this to be true of the visual arts and interior design. But let me say that anyone who takes their profession seriously and offers indispensable service to self and others whether free or at a cost, is a filler of voids. And there are many voids in this world to be filled.
I love to create eye catching displays using art (in its most traditional form) and using untraditional items as well.
For instance, I have three pencil sketches that my oldest son did for me of he and his brother and sister. They are all different sizes and one is not a standard size. The answer to framing them was to use frames that have clear glass on front and back and have a thin back frame holding the panes together. This allowed me to use similar frames for all three (including the oddly sized sketch) and they have a cohesive appearance. The pictures appear to "float" in between the glass panes, but the black ties them together. Very modern. I paired these with rustic handpainted signs that have the words "Love", "Faith" and "Family" on them. A touch of modern and a touch of rustic that somehow works!
I also happen to collect crosses. I have been gifted with many and have bought a few myself. I currently have nearly 40 and no two are the same. How to display these was a challange. I started with the largest ones and laid them out on the floor in a pattern, balancing the arrangement by putting crosses with similar size and/or color opposite each other, then filling in around them with smaller crosses. I moved them around until I had an arrangement that I liked then (starting at the middle) transferred them to the wall. Took a bit of time, but the end result was worth every minute!
I have also found that when hanging pictures and/or items together that are different sizes and shapes it is sometimes worth the time to trace the outline of each item on brown paper and cutting them out. You can then tape the paper cutouts to the wall with painters tape and move them around until you get an arrangement you like. Once you have done this, you can them replace the paper one cutout at a time with the corresponding picture/item. This is especially helpful if you don't have a lot of room to lay items out on the floor, such as a hallway.
Hope these tips help someone else!
Art is a statement,its part of our personality,its everywhere,we are surrounded with art in a different ways.