Art vs. Entertainment. Ready set Go.

What is that separates art from entertainment? What features does a particular medium of art have that gives it value beyond entertainment? What gives a piece of art value and substance? The modernist thinkers would have one believe that it is the unique nature of the medium and the piece that separates it from being simply a means of entertainment. According to their line of thought, the piece of art has to have certain characteristics unique to its medium. They also believe that it must be unique within the medium as well.

I thoroughly agree that a piece should be unique and stand apart from other pieces in some considerable manner. I do not, however, agree with the idea that it has to have certain characteristics of its medium. I understand and appreciate the fact that art is often made within a certain medium. I do not think that art has to be locked into one medium with certain characteristics. Is my painting any less of a painting if I paint it on a sphere? Is that sphere any less of a sculpture because it is painted? I present that it is both a sculpture and a painting and that it does not necessarily capture key elements of either medium. My point is that mediums can be, and often, are mixed. The object in question does not have all the qualities of either medium, but is still art.

Another thought to be considered is the idea that by questioning and being critical of what is art we are strengthening art itself. Questioning something one believes and honors will often strengthen his or her belief in the matter. Art is no less art because it is questioned, in fact the examination will only prove it even more to be art. The concept and reality of art is so firmly rooted in our minds and in fact that examination will not weaken it, but instead will strengthen it. If one begin to question and be critical of the idea that a dog is an animal then honest and factual investigation would simply lead the individual to the conclusion that the dog is indeed an animal. On the other hand, if one was prejudice and illogical then they might come to the conclusion that the dog is not an animal. That seems silly and irrational, but when one is clouded in their thoughts and ignore facts then erroneous conclusions are reached. The same can be said of one’s opinion of art. If “Bob” is irrationally convinced that art is simply entertainment and does not logically sort through the facts, then “Bob” is probably not going to be convinced otherwise. Ultimately art is of value beyond entertainment regardless of what someone thinks.