ART MISCONCEPTIONS

[bryan koester]

b~ I want everyone in my community to have access to advanced art theory. I have created the following as a gift to you. Together we can move the world.~

If you are an artist or know one,
please consider this.

Art is a language
It is the language of Creative Expression

Artist express things in a creative way.

Artwork is made as an attempt from an artist to tell, show or convey something
that normal words do not express.

Art is a language that can say things that do not yet have words.
Art is a language that can say things that have been said before but have a unique meaning to the person who says them.

Artwork is not necessarily about drawing, painting, dancing, singing or other things use to make art.
These things are tools and the skills to use them are separate from art itself.
Art is not about who makes things well.
It is not about whose work is being shown in a gallery or a book.
Art is not about the money involved.
It is not about who is smart or not.

Art is not the item but the message behind it.

Artwork has unique effects on the world.
Each and every piece of art effects each and every person differently.

Artwork has the ability to change a person forever.
To consider the message, of a work of art, is to consider that the artist has something to say to you.

This something may be very valuable to you.
It may help you understand or share something you have in common.
It may point out something special you may not have noticed before.

Art is a form of communication.
Every person is born with the ability to communicate in this way.
You don’t have to learn anything.
You simply have to try and listen to the message.

Whether you know it or not, you are communicating things about yourself all the time.
You communicate, to the world, about your personality, likes and dislikes
in the choices you make every day.
Your choices tell everyone about what you value, what you notice
and what is driving you to be who you are.
Artist take this one step further, they do it on purpose.

Without the audience, there is only the lost message.
The way people perceive art determines what they get out of it.

Artist use art to communicate to us. To understand them,
we need only to listen to what they are trying to say.

~The following is taken from the ARTMACHINE art theory courses~

Common misconceptions about art.

1)Art has no universal definition.

While it is obviously true that every person can determine the meaning of any word they use and the term “art” is used as both a technical and a popular usage definition (multiple concepts and values depending on who is using the word & in what context), this does not mean the concept of art is so vague it becomes meaningless.
Hands down, the only universal definition by all scientific standards, at it’s fundamental root is; art is a form of communication ~creative expression.

After that, any definition of art can be determined by simply looking at its motive. Depending on where we look at it, art can be many things depending on who made it, why and who is experiencing it. The key word is context.

2)Definitions of art hinder art.

Defining art hinders the making of art the same way learning to write your name hinders your ability to tell people who you are. While some definitions of art are limiting and prescribe motivations that may differ with any given value system, learning what art is all about (in theory) is fundamentally an attempt to build a tool that can be used to help streamline the art making process. It’s the difference between looking at your reflection in the dark, or turning a light on to see yourself and the area you are in.

3)Natural born talent determines artistic merit.

While true that inherited genetics play a enormous part in your prescribed preferences and capabilities, your experience with your environment plays an even bigger part is developing those capabilities into abilities. Artist are people who have developed their artistic skills to a degree that the effects are noticeable. But the reality is also that every human who can create a form of communication and deliver it to an audience (of the self or of the other) is exercising their artistic skill. This is different than language (pre-coded information). This is using creativity to build a vehicle for a message. It is something every human was born with the ability to do since they were in the womb.
Anyone can develop their artistic abilities to a degree that they can begin actively benefiting from that skill. Art is the cornerstone of all communal languages, all teaching, all invention and all community growth. Without artistic skill, no community could ever adapt to the changes that befall us as we move through time and space.

4) Art has to be unique, reach the largest audience possible or have to do with anything in particular to be art.

Subjective assignments are a large part of how humans interact with each other and themselves. Our environmental training runs deep within our styles of valuing the world. While community values effect our lives to a great degree, the notion that these common assignments are premier to art value is ignorant to the great effect a work of art has to the people or person with whom it does align itself with. If art reaches one person and changes them, it is a great achievement, no matter the volume or specifics of the opposition.

5)Art exist as a static process or product.

Some people make things, and it is the product that is important to them. Some people make things, and it is the process that is important to them. Many people get hung up on these differences and fail to commune with each other because of it. Whether a person knows why they make art or not, the universal value is that the product and/or the process has an effect on the planet. Regardless of the known or intended meaning of the artist, when value shifts from the object or process to the audience (self or other) the effect of that creative expression fulfills the prime function of art. It changes the world forever and goes on to combine with series of after effects, on and on.


6) Art is a form of entertainment or decoration.

While true that art can use these elements to convey its message, the reality is that these are mediums. A medium can be anything that is used to create art.
One of the reasons for such a popular association (between art & entertainment/decoration) is the great success of these mediums to effect people. They are mediums that are easily noticed, received and welcomed by a majority of modern society. Because of this success, lots of money, support and education are behind these mediums. Many artists find it difficult to get their messages across because they do not follow these mediums and the rules that govern them.
But the challenge of art remains the same, it belongs to the artist. Modern artist wishing to create art that is both meaningful to them and reach the audience they desire, has the responsibility for making the art that will meet the obstacles, solve the problems and reach the audience. Not the other way around. The artist is responsible for meeting the specifics of their art.
When artist work together, they create systems of support, opportunity development and project ability that single artist care rarely afford.
Any community that work together can shake the planet with the effect it will have.


These are just a few of the endless sea of concepts involved with and surrounding art. Taking some time to become familiar with them and share them with others is a means of spreading understanding throughout our world.

I’m starting a process to make as much of this information available to you or someone you know. Please consider it’s importance. Please share it with others.

Thank you,
bryan