Really? What is it with people these days? The word "art" is tossed around so often these days its lost its meaning, almost. At least this guy tries to make a case for it, sort of. Paying notice to brushing ones teeth, the motions and actions, and eventually noticing the small muscle contractions taking place every moment without ones knowledge. It is....not artistic, in any way, shape, or form, for the very simple fact that the word no longer has any real definition, everyone has their own opinion on it. There is something special in focusing on such minor details of everyday life, but that does not make it art, or artistic, or even very important. Theres a reason our minds block out most of this junk during our day; because if we don't our minds would probably explode with all the information constantly flowing into it. Think of it; the constant changing wind, temperature, the feeling of your clothes, the noises going on around you, the changing light and shadow as the Sun moves....thats just a fraction of what the everyday human deals with and blocks out as part of their consciousness.
When I was reading it, it sounded like it is a form of meditation, if anything. Focusing ones thoughts on actions not usually noticed is a way of heightening the mind, which 'is' meditation, if nothing else. I am tempted to try this out simply to experience it, but I have this odd feeling I'll end up regretting it, mainly because if I spent an hour staring at myself in the mirror I would be late for class...that and I would look like some egotistical narcissist to my roommates.
In short, no, they guy should not have even mentioned 'art,' it doesn't matter who he is. Ya, you heard me. Thats my rant.
-Nicolaus
Comments (1)
Some good points. (In fact some of the same questions I've been raising in comments on other people's posts ;-) I was thinking the same thing about the exploding mind. It's all great if you're living in a monastry and have all the time in the world. Still, part of any artisitic process is being atuned to what's going on with yourself and the culture at large and to that extent I feel that Kaprow's insights are important.
Why not get rid of "art" altogether and just have philosophy and meditiation. Let's face it - most art (or at least its use by institutions and advertising) is just reinforcing the status quo, including social hierarchies. One way out is not to produce art objects at all.
Posted by Andy Cox | September 11, 2007 12:00 AM
Posted on September 11, 2007 00:00