February 16, 2011
A piece of artwork. A series of four squares, each composed of multiple horizontal lines in different widths and colors. That’s it. That’s all that this piece of art is comprised of, or so it may seem.
Many people in today’s society would view this art as a waste of time. They would scoff at it as they took it all in and would ridicule the artist for posing as one.
They would say to themselves something along the lines of, “How the heck is this considered art? It’s a bunch of random lines that are different colors. It’s so stupid that this is considered art nowadays. I could do this and I’m not even an artist.”
But the key here is: they didn’t do it. They didn’t take the time to put together different lines in alternating colors and widths. They didn’t take the time or the creativity to plan out how specific colors would look next to another. They simply didn’t do it.
I have always personally been a fan of almost every, if not every art form. Something in the way I was made has caused me to not be picky when it comes to artistic forms. I’m not trying to sit here and say that I am non-judgmental and welcoming to all, because there is also something in the way I was made as an artist that gives me the ability to have likes and dislikes.
However, what I am trying to say is that somehow God has given me the ability to be open-minded about all art forms, as well as the capability to challenge myself to find something within the art form that I can appreciate, even if overall, I dislike it.
Throughout my life as a growing artist, I have had an appreciation for modern art. In my opinion, it pushes boundaries, it challenges previous notions and most of all there is a reason behind it.
There is something in that artwork that has meaning, and feeling. Even a simple set of four squares has meaning. An artist doesn’t just create something to create something. They have a reason, and they want an idea to come across to the viewer. With that said, I do believe, however, that some artists have reasons that may not be filled with deep, philosophical meaning.
Some artists may simply create a piece of modern art that is as straightforward as uninvolved lines and geometric shapes with the intention of making the viewer irritated or frustrated at its simplicity. However, in doing just that, the artist has completed a task.
They caused the viewer to think. Even though it wasn’t necessarily a contemplative or reflective thought, the viewer still thought something. Isn’t that what art should be about - to create a piece that causes someone to think? In my opinion, yes.
Modern art shouldn’t be thought of as a lesser art form due to its simplicity. I believe that it should be considered in the same respects as any other form of art, especially more traditional and realistic art.
I have full confidence in the idea that modern art should be approached and dealt with in the exact same ways as every other art form. I believe it should be respected as well as evaluated equally.
Yes, modern art is different. And yes, it can be confusing or extremely thought provoking. But modern art is doing just what every other art form has done before; it’s breaking down boundaries and borders of previously held beliefs.
And it’s challenging us to think outside of what we’ve always been taught and shown. It challenges us to develop opinions and beliefs all our own.
And that’s what I believe is so important here. An artist created a piece of art, and it has meaning and reasons behind it. And it’s our job to figure out for ourselves just what those meanings and reasons are.
