Concepts of art

by Roland Arthur

A bathful of rancid spaghetti is not art. It may have helped the artist overcome some medical problems; and may be useful in promoting the sale of food, but is no more art than Tracy Emin's bed or the ludicrous light switch at the Tate Gallery. These belong in the realms of second hand furniture shops and a physics laboratory.

What was generally construed to be pleasing visual art, seems to have taken second place to the more bizarre works being favoured by art colleges. But why is this?

There is a vast range of art styles. These cover abstract work and "avant-garde" as well as the more traditional "realism". By far the most popular (and saleable) works are those which the public find pleasing to the eye. Over the years, styles change and what might be considered of dubious artistic value one decade might be all the rage the next. Salvador Dali, Lowry and Picasso have proved this. But surely the acid test is what stands the test of time? Will "conceptual and installation" art, (whatever that means) stand the test of time?

If we look back at art over the centuries, the works now revered by the world are those which indicate that the artist had developed some skill and spent some time learning the "trade" from experienced artisans. There may even have been, 200 years ago, people who tried to convince others that their unmade bed was a work of art. But I'm sure they would have been laughed at. And that is what we should be doing now; not taking it all too seriously. Those "non-artists" from times past have been long forgotten and, in a few years to come, so will our contemporary bed and light switch artists.

But why do baths of spaghetti get the publicity? The tutors and the media are always looking for something different; something that's not been done before. It gets limelight. The arguments that develop as to whether it is or isn't art, get people's names in papers. The artist likes it, the art college likes it and, of course, the media rouse public commentary.

I sympathise with artists striving to maintain traditional standards and admire their tenacity. They go where many a talented artist has previously trod. However, as in many walks of life, if you wish to make a name you have to be either a cut above the rest and produce exceptionally brilliant "traditional" work, or, find something so original and different that it shocks the public, and for that reason alone, get publicity from the media.

I'm certain the vast majority of people who appreciate art will find more interest in an eye-catching picture than a pair of wellies filled with green pasta. What a waste of good food!

                                                                                Roland Arthur