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Contemporary Art Essay February 3, 2020

“When is Art, Art?”

by Adrian Clarke L. Dee

“If it is ART, it is not for all. If it is for all, it is not ART.” -Arnold Schoenberg

As art varies from person to person, it is highly unlikely for two or more people to
experience identical perspectives. These perspectives refer to one's emotional and psychological
activity toward an art piece. A work of art usually provides a certain impact and impression to a
certain viewer, and there continues to be endless perceptions, preferences, or approaches to
comprehend different meanings that revolve around a single artwork. Thus, for one to be able to
perceive an artist’s true meaning beneath the strokes, texture, and colors of an art piece, different
aspects of the artist’s lifestyle, biography, and sociological background are nominal but
significant factors that should be taken into consideration.

The issue as to what many people consider or not consider to be art pieces is linked to the
social gap among the elders and the youth of today. The features of the aesthetics today, much
appreciated by the youth of today, may be found confusing and “not art” to a majority of elders.
Most Renaissance artworks, known for their controversiality, such as Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona
Lisa" or "The Last Supper" have been given praise for having been made during such time of art
history and its aesthetical features. However, some critiques of such artwork as seen by younger
audiences may not be as enthusiastic as older art critics or historians. This is because the
sociological and historical impact of the artist does not contribute to what is beautiful or not, but
it relies on the audience's background as well.

The sociological impact refers to the public or social events that have affected a majority
of people. Pop culture is a currently powerful influence on music and art since the love for
different entertainment genres have opened up a variety of art styles. From reflections of The
Second World War to "King of Pop" Michael Jackson, the view of the world in which society
functions in changes significantly at a rapid rate. Examples of influences that impact 21st century
art forms include feminist art, food art, or digital art that are frequently shown on television or
social media. The historical impact refers to the audience's cultural status. This impact relies on
the geographical aspect of one's living status, so depending on where a certain audience had
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Contemporary Art Essay February 3, 2020

lived, they can perceive life and art differently. Religion also plays a large role as to how people
can perceive art since people who are highly religious tend to appreciate classical art that give
emphasis and attention to their own choice of religion.

The purpose of art may not primarily be to portray reality, provide a conclusion, or
signify a definite message. One may say that there are entirely no definite reasons to produce
such art pieces at all. This then provides an explanation as to why art is not for every person to
enjoy. As stated, different people have different preferences, and things that are complexly
produced were not made to provide an explanation. Instead, people are only given the ability to
voice their very own set of individualistic meanings and morals as a way to pay respect to the
artist’s concrete determination as to producing such art piece.

The audience or the beholder contributes to art itself as to how it is perceived based on
the knowledge and experiences of its audience. Theoretically, the artist is not the only one who
creates art but the audience remolds and forms another piece of art but from their own
perspective. Metaphorically speaking, an art piece serves as a form of optical illusion in which
its physics has never been explained before. The audience serves as physicists or philosophers
who formulate their own individual explanations as to the physics of this optical illusion.