A Definition Of Art: Is There Really One?


by Eric Hartwell - Date: 2007-03-03 - Word Count: 304 Share This!

Some observers have tried to make definition of art. One which I heard recently is that art is a piece of work that stimulates debate over a long period of time. I almost accepted this a part from the fact that I cannot define what a long period of time is.

I know the dinosaurs ruled the world many thousands of years ago. In fact it was many millions of years-I consider that to be a long period of time. But then I was waiting at my front door for my son to get ready for school in case he missed the bus and he was taking ages. That also was a long period of time. Not as long as the dinosaurs reigned, of course, but nonetheless relatively long. And there is the rub. Everything is relative.

My dust bin [garbage can] was not emptied by the local municipal services recently and was left there for two weeks before they collected it. That was a long period of time. And recently I gave a lecture to a group of 600 people who were begging for my blood. It was uncomfortable and unpleasant. That was also a long period of time to endure. I was married 20 years ago, but it seems like yesterday. I remember my marriage day so clearly and so vividly that in fact it could have been yesterday.

Twenty years, compared to my garbage can, is a long period of time but it doesn't seem like it. So therefore we have the dual view of the observer. And isn't this what art itself is all about? Art is in the eye of the beholder, but also the definition of art as something that creates debate over a long period of time is also in the eye of the beholder because time itself is relative.


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