(9) Puzzles III

[cramschoolgod]

[Phone, standard filter:]

Residents of Mayfield...

What is your definition of art, and do you believe it is important?

Comments

[wizardoftheweek]

I appreciate most forms of art, but I have a particular fondness for the art of storytelling, and the written word. I believe it is important because there are few better reflections of a person's place in the universe than what artwork they contribute to it. It is, in essence, proof of our existence.

[cramschoolgod]

I agree with that definition, yes. I think that the creative element in humanity is well-exercised with it. However, rationalists might say that the arts serve no particular practical purpose, and that such effort would be better served to benefit people and relieve suffering. Stories do not feed people, after all.

[wizardoftheweek]

That does not make them any less significant. Mental enrichment is just as important as physical.

[cramschoolgod]

Hm, well, ultimately I agree with you. Do you draw any boundaries upon what you accept as reasonable art, or do you leave it entirely to the artist's intention?

[bogusmagicker]

. . . Art is a creation considered aesthetically pleasing or evocative. Personally, it is of little consequence.

[cramschoolgod]

Really? Ah, but Nagato, I thought you enjoyed reading books, and they are certainly considered a form of art.

[bogusmagicker]

The conveyance of information may be considered an art form . . . ?

[cramschoolgod]

Literature is certainly considered one of the arts. After all, it is about the manner of conveyance.

[inthenertz]

Art is finding beauty in understanding chaos.

The power to create something to give you a glimpse of it makes you an artist!

Most never reach a level of true understanding, and those that do usually go insane. Along with anyone else who understands their work.

[cramschoolgod]

Really. If order and chaos were in the discussion, I would believe it to make most sense to say that art is making order out of chaos, rather than--if I understand you correctly--sowing more chaos in the hopes of finding it beautiful.

[inthenertz]

What? No. That's just crazy talk.

Order out of chaos, next you're going to suggest that cat's and dog's shouldn't fight to the death every time they meet.

[cramschoolgod]

It is true that the arc of the universe bends inexorably towards chaos. I don't really have an opinion on interspecies relations.

[epilogical]

[Ready, set...]

Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items, often with symbolic significance in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect. It encompasses a diverse range of human activities, creations, and modes of expression, including music, literature, film, photography, sculpture, and paintings.

[A pause to fill her pesky human lungs with air again.]

Traditionally, the term art was used to refer to any skill or mastery. This conception changed during the Romantic period, when art came to be seen as "a special faculty of the human mind to be classified with religion and science". Generally, art is made with the intention of stimulating thoughts and emotions.

...I find it interesting to analyze on occasion.

[cramschoolgod]

[...Another robot?! At least, judging from the way that she defined it. This is great news for Sasaki.]

Yes, the most important word in that definition is "deliberately," isn't it? It's very difficult to hew to that definition, however, because it is the broadest possible. Most individuals' definitions would be by necessity narrower, due to their aesthetic opinions.

What, specifically, do you analyze? Ah, and may I ask your name and -- if you don't consider it rude -- what are you?

[epilogical]

By definition, it's not art if there is no intention behind.

But, I realize we might be talking about two things. Art with capital A, as the ideal, does not exist. That is, as mentioned, an ideal.

I just enjoy staring at them. And I'm Aigis, nice to meet you. I am- was an anti-shadow wea-- an android.

[cramschoolgod]

It's a pleasure to meet you; I am Sasaki... Anti-shadow... I have heard something about shadows, recently, from, ah, Souji Seta-san.

At any rate, it is very interesting to meet yet another artificial intelligence, Aigis. If you are comfortable with the idea of discussing your origins, I would be interested.

As for my original question: yes ideals do not exist; certainly not in this universe, even Plato would not dispute that. But are they even useful concepts, then? Is 'Art' the ideal useful in any way? People's opinions about art are what confer artistic legitimacy, it seems. Does that make art an exclusively social construct?

[falleng0d]

"Art? We're stuck in this crappy replica of a 'happy-go-lucky' town and you're interested in art?

"Well, no matter. Art is a way for someone to express something. It can be through a painting, a song, a story, interpretive dance--the medium is only limited by the artist's creativity.

"Is art important? Of course. It makes us unique."

[cramschoolgod]

What else am I to be interested in? At any rate, the environment is less interesting than the other residents, and I am asking for their opinions on the matter.

Art makes us unique? Yet you used the plural there. Do you mean that an individual's art makes her unique, or that the capacity for art makes us uniquely human?

[falleng0d]

"I suppose you're right. I've only been here a few days and I am weary of this town already.

"But I meant that art makes humans unique as a species, and as you say an individual's art makes him or her unique as well."

[cramschoolgod]

Hmm. Everyone has shown some fairly liberal perspectives on the definition of art, so far. I suppose that is to be expected.