In my high school design class, my art teacher posed the question, “would you guys be happier if I created more lessons around art that is functional?”. There was a general appeasement working around the room signified in smiles and nods. I asked her and my classmates the simple question of “why?”. Why do people feel that art must have a function (art designed for the purpose of being used)? Does art have a purpose without a function? The traditionalist craftsman’s answer would be: no. A tradtional fine artist would say: yes, it is based around the work’s aesthetics, which is defined as: pertaining to a sense of the beautiful. However, being a non-traditional crafts artisan, I feel that art, in general, can fulfill many purposes without being labeled as functional or that it only appeals to my visual pleasure (and please give me a break…that is the lamest excuse for any artist to create a piece of work just because it’s “pretty”—SNORE!). Purposes for an artwork can be more abstract such as: expanding your view, changing your perspective on a subject, being of personal value emotionally, or sharing an idea (communication). Crafts has its earliest roots in functionality, which cannot be denied—we have records that ancient peoples used techniques such as knotless net (a durable and quick way to create a net) to carry large supplies back and forth to different sites. However, today we have the “luxury” of going to Wal-Mart to purchase a net for only a few dollars, we do not have to create such things ourselves. Therefore, crafts must take on a different role in our contemporary society. Many contemporary crafts artists strive to find new FUNCTIONS for their artwork, like, opening the viewer’s mind and communicating new perspectives and emotions through the traditional mediums of craft. Freshly emerging contemporary crafts artist who are really breaking beyond conventional thought and functionality are: Derek Weisberg (a ceramicist and wood-worker, picture #1—please check out his artist statement!!!!) http://www.derekweisberg.com/; Adam Smith (an eclectic craft sculpture artist) http://www.adamsmith-art.com/index.html; and Lisa Schreiner (a ceramicist—also please view her artist statement!) at http://www.redreduction.com/
6 comments:
I love that art creates questions and I think that in and of itself is what makes art always have function. The fact that merely looking at a piece of work can make someone scratch their head and say "what made this artist compelled to create this? Was it their background or past? What do they want others to see when they look at this piece?"
And of course, from there the piece can have a deeper function, such as making a statement, wheter it be political or just comical. You did a fine job of explaining purposes for creating a piece (a.k.a expanding views, changing perspective, etc).
So after reading this blog my mind is once again carried away in pondering the world of art, and I thank you for that.
Everything in life has a purpose. Just like everyone has a motive to what they do. In the end it all comes down to a difference in opinions, who values what. As long as we can have different views on art, art will stay alive even if it’d “functional” or not. I’m not sure when you create works if you do it for yourself, or you keep in mind the viewer. That is where the line is drawn. Is this a processes piece for you or a creation for a user. Is it both?
I believe that art can be anything, anything at all. Art does not have to have a purpose or function. People create art for various purposes and not all of the purposes are for the final piece to be functional. I agree that some pieces can have a function, but not all pieces need to. You gave a good argument about the functions/non-functions of art works. All art is different and all have different purposes, but let art be what it is, whether it have a function or not.
Art is in the eye of the beholder. I believe everything, while not functional, still has a purpose. Posing a question, causing thoughts, making a statement, and expanding views. So I think this is the perfect time for the quote of "Some say why? I say why not!"
I think that Art can function without Functionality, however I think that for me at least, it is more exciting if I can use the art that I created in a different point in time. ergo, my wood design table, I designed this table to be a coffee table second and an art piece 1st. I found that to be a problem since I broke it earlier this year after using it for a while...
Although from a viewers standpoint what will make them say, "thanks an interesting concept to make a table" most of the time in my eyes the art pieces are highly unfunctional...
Again, another great resource as well as an important thing to discuss in today's art world. I think that conceptual art goes somewhat neglected and those who refuse to take the time to understand it are revealing their shallow point of view. Creating art takes time and effort, and so does understanding it. I think it is safe to assume that in generally people are not making that effort to appreciate the things that surround them, especially the depth of others. Without the motivation to be deeper, making the effort to grow as individuals and learn things beyond our usual experiences, people will continue to hold the same bias towards conceptual art.
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