Wk3 – Find Art Anywhere!

2. The object my group chose to view as art was very small in scale and close to the ground – a small weed growing in a crack in the cement just outside of the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Initially, this bright green plant caught my eye due to its sharp contrast in color between itself and the bland concrete.

As far as aesthetics are concerned, to me this object is inspiring. It evokes hope, optimism, and determination. For a plant to be able to not only sprout, but grow a significant amount (relative to size) in such an unforgiving and downright harsh environment like cement has the ability to give hope to its viewer. It gives hope that even though one’s life and circumstances may be hard, difficult, or their obstacles great they can still “grow” and be successful.

3. I definitely believe that this little plant was art prior to having put tape around it. Whether or not a viewer would have walked past it to appreciate it as art I’m not so sure. Most likely, the audience of students and faculty walking past this modest plant on their way into the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf would not look down to even notice it. For me that begs the question – is something art if there is no artist to “create” the art (in the form of the frame in this case) nor is there an audience to recognize it as art? Or, can we still view this object as art by considering the universe itself to be the creator of the piece?

4. Looking at the universe as the creator, we can still say that my group’s object is art even after the rectangle of tape is removed. If we accept this perspective then the entire world has the ability to be art and the universe is simply waiting for an audience to recognize and see its many treasures as such. This is the mindset I choose to view the world in as it allows beauty and art to be all around me should I choose to see it.

5. I don’t think that an object can be determined art or not art simply because of its body. As stated earlier, I think any object in this world has the capacity to be seen as art so long as a creator or audience chooses to view it in that lens.

6. Art can certainly be something other than an object. The first medium that comes to mind for me is poetry in the form of performance. There is nothing to physically hold or touch, but the words and recitation of the poet have the ability to express an immense range of emotions and ideas.

7. Art, for me, definitely resides in the experience of the viewer. Many of the objects showcased in our campus art tour yesterday would never have been considered art prior to our class taking the time to have an “art moment” and look at these everyday objects as art. When we took the time to find meaning and beauty in these objects that we walk past everyday suddenly they became more than just a bike rack, a weed in the sidewalk, or a tree next to the pathway to our next class. They became metaphors for our college experience, for perseverance, and for wisdom. Certainly, this opens up the possibility for individuals to do the same with countless objects and experiences in their own daily lives.