This post is an exposition of my view of art, which has developed and slowly solidified as I have learned about, talked about, and seen more of it. !Caution!: you may disagree. That's ok, many people disagree with many of my views.

Of what is traditionally considered art, I acknowledge about 25% of it as art, about 25% of it as cool or interesting, but not art, more belonging in a category of other cool stuff such as juggling, and the remaining 50% as undiluted bullshit on the rocks. Art, in my opinion, is about the result, the final product. I don't give a shit about what you were thinking or how you got your idea or what you are trying to say. That should be expressed in words, not on a canvas or in a sculpture. Art IS about representation, and the better the artist represents the actual world the better the piece. The measure of art is technical skill, as seen in the product, not thoughtful expression or originality. Art should be measured more quantitatively, such as, but not limited to, a piece of art is better if fewer people can make it.

Take Kazimir Malevich, a 20th century Russian painter. One of his most famous paintings is "black square", which hangs in the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. It consists solely of black oil on a canvas. That's it. He also painted "black circle." These paintings were instrumental in the Suprematist movement, which emphasized rebirth, transition, ferment, and commotion, which, of course, were feelings of 1915 Russia. Ok, here is how a conversation between Kazimir and myself would go:

Me - Honestly, Kazimir, I don't think it's very good. It's just black. It looks like it took 10 minutes.
Kazimir - Well, it represents the flavor of the times. There was great tumult and change in my country and I felt it all around me everyday. I was led...
Me - Sorry, but I can see the painting. I still don't think it's very good.
Kazimir - It's not just a black square. I was exploring geometric forms from the new position of...
Me - Yea, I know what geometry is. Look, dude, you're still talking. I think I know what you need (pulls out paper and pencil). Here, write down what you're thinking...I'm sure there is a lot of great stuff goin on up in that head of yours. I'm sure you have a lot of insightful things to say about Russia. Oh, better yet (sets laptop computer on desk). Here, sit down. This will be even easier. It's got Word 07.

Get the point? Most of modern art doesn't belong in the same sentence with true artists such as Da Vinci. Perhaps only he could have displayed such subtle and visually enigmatic technical skill. That makes it great. That's what art should be about. Black oil on a canvas is an insult.

Of course, this is what I think. You are entitled to hold your own inferior opinion (Wink)!