Hey all! I have to say that art is, well, very subjective. We have threads here every once in awhile about what constitutes art and I have some observations. Remember I said I'd had three of my eggs accepted at an art gallary showing? Last night was the reception and was the first I'd had a chance to go and see everything else. There were some, uh, interesting pieces there. Two that jumped out at me were these: One was composed of CDs that had had simple lines of paint painted on them and arranged on a stand somehow. It reminded me of a mobile but instead of hanging, it stood. Each CD faced the same way and the "back side" of them was the viewing side. The paint was in different colors and were put on so it was a raised surface (sort of like a bead of glue on paper or wood). The other was a piece about 20x30 called "appendages" and consisted of insect parts and dead fish. Honestly. It was bug wings and legs (grasshoppers and such), and some hatchet fish. Over all, the effect reminded me of Japanese writing and, because most of the wings were translucent and iridescent (and the poor dead fish were silver), it was overall glittery. In effect, I liked it. In material it was, well, kinda yucky. So what is art? I think it's whatever you like and in which you find something that moves you. I didn't consider those two to be art, but there were some very good paintings (drawings, etc.) and bronze castings that I did like. And some gourds that had had a wood-burning type technique done to them along with some pen work. That one gave me some ideas! Some of the pieces were just nice to look at, some conveyed some deep meaning along with it... Over all, it was nice being able to see other art and learn about some of the techniques used. Oh, and my eggs went over very well! Better than I expected really. :o)

The objects you described are installation pieces, which is supposed to be art but I've had numerous arguements with these installation artists about whether or not they are art. As far as I can make out these pieces involve picking up things that are everyday throw away objects and arranging them in some abstract form, adding various materials and paint, etc. There are many exhibitions that contain these modern art installation pieces and I've got to say that the number I've seen, that I actually like and saw some merit in, I could count on one hand. I'm very pleased for you though that your work went over well and I hope your wonderful eggs continue to do so. Anyway, art is an emotion given form, some are very good and others would be better in the bin, but it is everyones own interpretation and likes and I really don't think art in general can be explained, although there are so many art critics who try to do so. Just my thoughts and if I write any more I'll just start to ramble. 8) Catlin

I don't know if the thing I saw at the Museum of Contemporary Art was an installation piece or not, but it was just so neat. The "artist" had constructed this room, and the way it was built and lit, when you went inside, you had the experience of floating in fog ... even though there was no fog in the room. It was the most peaceful place I think I've ever been to. If I had a kazillion dollars I would commission one for my home as a meditation room. Whatever you would call it ... it really grabbed me and made n impact. So, I guess it was art.

My daughter is over in Paris right now and she got a chance to visit a museum which featured (whats that famous cubist artist's name, damn I hate senility) anyways she was going thru and wasn't overly impressed till she hit one room that had some good stuff (her opinion) in it. Turns out it wasn't his work but someone not so famous. Art is purely taste. I tend to like Dali, others like Andy Warhol which I can't stand. Art is anything and everything. Nature is art. I remember being fasinated with the compostion of a particular area of ground near the woods of my yard. Art is not soley human made either. To me, (and this is purely my own opinion) art is what I find attractive in some emotional way. Music is art but I don't care for Jazz. So art is anything and everything. But it is only art to those who view it as such. So when Susan (eelie) sees something in the art show which perplexes her, its not art to her, but it is to others. Art has got to be the hardest thing to nail down and concretely define! Ok I've had my say, sorry if my views conflict with anyone elses, they are just opinions and may not be true after all I am human and to be human is to err. LOL, I'm feeling good tonight, had a wonderful conversation with my daughter and a couple of beers. Cheers to all! Angela

Oh now don't start that again! LOL

art is a 3 letter word we call the things that we do to entertain ourselves, and maybe others.

no comment I'm afraid I'll start ranting again.