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| Art or porn? Who cares. |
Just finished watching Lars Von Trier's 2003 film Dogville. Not about to digress on this crown jewel of anti-Americanism, but while I was reading an analysis of the film by Carlos Cavagna, I found a very interesting little quote (by Cavagna). “Never trust anyone who tells you what art should be and what function it should serve.” This is great because it essentially states that art cannot (and should not) be defined. It's like pornography. You can't define it, you know it when you see it. Except with art we don't always know when we see it (or hear it, or even taste it for that matter). (This also puts an interesting spin on the age old question “Is it art or porn?” because both defy definition, although its pretty clear what function pornography serves.) But it is not Cavagna's intention to point out the futility of definition, rather to question the motives of those who find it necessary to define for their own purposes and justification. The Soviets forced (often upon penalty of death) their composers, writers, filmmakers, and painters into a concept of art that served only the state and its interests. Not cool U.S.S.R. The motive is usually a selfish one, and art should not be selfish. Should art be functional? I feel that the more functional something is, the less artistic it becomes (sorry pornography). A film (or song, or novel) made for the purpose of generating large revenues is highly functional.
Is it disconcerting as an artist to commit your life to something that is ill defined and of dubious purpose? Go ask someone else, I have yet to create a true work of art.
I'd have to disagree Mr. Buehring. I still remember the day you pushed my limits to a breaking point one day. I was playing a pair of tenors in highschool, and you were pushing for a functional finished product of a fantastic sounding drumline. My limits capped and I threw off the drums and flipped you the bird. Little to my realization that was actually a motivating force I'd never regret. You pushed for functionality, but I came out of it with a new viewpoint on life and a definite new perspective on music. I now strive to do the best because being pushed over the limit made me see that I could actually go beyond what I thought I could do. Maybe function and art go hand in hand. After all, if something doesn't function, then what good is it? Everything is a form of conditioning. I'd say you created a work of art, or at least influenced it. I have seen your art, and I'm anticipating another video from you guys.
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