What is ART?

       While working for a second-hand clothing store, police car auction or garage sale, the words, “What you see is what you get” may be used. This should not be the case in the world of art. A piece of artwork has so many different facets that what you see is only a small part of what you get. The viewer must not only look at the Art work with their eyes they must also use their soul.  In order for a viewer or Art critic can lend keen observation they must be equally bold with their praise and criticism of a piece.  The artist and critic must put in an equal amount of effort to ensure that their work is of quality.

       I agree with Saltz when he says, “Dishearteningly, many critics have ideas but no eye. They rarely work outside of their comfort zone… ”. (¶ 3).  He seems to think, that critics writing about Art take a comfortable approach towards criticism and aren’t challenging themselves. I think if an artist pours his heart and soul into his work, so should the critic. However, if an artist does not give their work all they could it’s still up to the critic to let the readers know.

  

When it comes to works of art that can stand the test of time we go back in time to, Ancient Egypt, Old Kingdom Era to be exact. Since the pyramids have been around for thousands of years there have been countless critically written papers on them. While doing a class project I read some of what 21^st century writes had to say about the Egyptian architecture of the Old Kingdom Era. Most of what I read just gave facts about the pyramids like, who, what, when, where and why. It didn't look to me like much mention was giving about the soul of the work, by the critics.

Saltz believes, “Art is a way of thinking, a way of knowing yourself.” (¶ 4). I think he’s right and If more critics of Ancient Egyptian art and Art critics in general wrote from their soul their words would be more persuasive. Who knows maybe they can breathe new life into the study of Art. Someone reading an art column might start research of their own because of inspiration.

   

We see that inspiration, skill, love of work and a great eye are things needed by not only the artist but also by the art critic. I’m sure that after reading this article by Saltz I’ll find myself not only looking at the work of art.  I’ll be checking as to how the work is being criticized because they go hand and hand. Trying to make the viewer understand not only what they are being told to see but what they feel is difficult. It’s only a seasoned Artist and a seasoned critic that can make it look easy.  

Charles Burchfield

"Landscape with rain"

1917

Works cited:

        Adams, Laurie. A History of Western Art. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Print.