The Oddities in Art

Anything can be art, depending on who is looking at it. There are so many different definitions and types of artwork. There are paintings, sketchings, pottery, poetry, literature, music, movies, and collections; just to name a few. Some pieces of art are seen as more exquisite and picturesque than others. These masterpieces are at the stop of the hierarchal “art world.” Some examples may include music by Mozart or paintings by Von Gogh. To be among the top of the hierarchy demonstrates much prestige. Although my art teacher’s stained glass paintings are absolutely beautiful, they may only rank in the middle of the hierarchy. The pieces of art farther down and at the bottom of the hierarchy would include macaroni art done by kindergartners, as well as my younger sister’s stamp collection. While most would see a stamp and think nothing of it, my sister would eagerly examine it. Many do not realize that a normal, everyday object could be part of a greater work of art. What might seem like an ordinary object at the bottom of the hierarchal “art world,” may gain or lose art status by existing in a wonder cabinet or collection that receives feedback.

Collections can take insignificant and seemingly useless objects and turn them into something greater. By being part of a collection, the object can gain financial, sentimental, or even educational value. For example, every time I receive flowers, I save and dry one from the bouquet. A large bouquet of dried out flowers has resulted over the years. While one may look and see a bouquet of dead flowers, I see a bouquet of memories and great sentimental value to me. As Kimmelman explains, “Prestige, like taste in art, is often in the eye of the collector, and true value may be greatest when...

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...on is amazing and brings him back to reality. When a collector receives some negative feedback, it can do one of two things. It can discourage the collector, or it can motivate the collector to continue finding new and better things to add to his collection. If the collector receives a numerous amount of positive feedback with just a minute amount of negative feedback, the collector is more likely to go out and make the collection better in hopes of changing that small amount of negative feedback into more positive feedback. In this way, collections, a form of art, are self-regulating systems.

Works Cited

Johnson, Steven. "Listening to Feedback." Emerging. Ed. Barclay Barrios. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2010. 190-210. Print.

Kimmelman, Michael. "The Art of Collecting Lightbulbs." Emerging. Ed. Barclay Barrios. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2010. 216-225. Print.