He had a clear idea of what art should do for us: it should make us happy and enhance our quality of life.
—-Olivier Berggruen about Matisse, quoted in The Wall Street Journal
Do you have any feelings about the purpose of art? I agree with Matisse, for me art is about enhancing our everyday lives, not about prestige and investing. But not everyone agrees.
I saw a video once about the history of a famous painting — I think it was either by Vermeer or Renoir, but I can’t remember — that was bought by a Japanese collector who kept it in a vault. His will said it was to be destroyed when he died, apparently for some estate tax reason. Fortunately someone talked him into changing the will, and the painting survived to be enjoyed by others.
What do you think he thought the purpose of art was? What about you? Would you be an art investor if you had the chance?
April 21, 2014
To give outlet to the creative impulse that is in all of us. No, I would not invest in art work. I don’t have that kind of money to spare and in any case, I am on a minimalist binge.
I wouldn’t buy any either — I much prefer to splash around myself.
Self expression and communication of perception — from cave art to modern art.
If I had the extra money, I might consider it.
I’m not a collector, I’m more interested in playing/experimenting for myself. I just try things, see the results, and respond to it. I suppose the playing itself is my “self expression.” The results aren’t that important.
What do you do for self-expression?
What do I do? The photography, blogging, blog layout and design.
Of course! Dumb question.
The new design of this blog is one of the things I’ve made that has given me the most satisfaction. And I started playing with art supplies because I spent so much time using Photoshop that I wanted to get away from the computer.
ditto rummy!
i own next to nothing. only that which is necessary.
i do have four paintings. one a print by david hockney who is famous.
but it’s just a print. i got it because i love it. it still brings me pleasure.
the other three are those i just talked about on ‘bruno.’
i doubt i’ll keep them.
the urge to “clear the decks” is too strong! it’s only a matter of time.
i’m a minimalist first and foremost! the hockney though….
will never leave. i absolutely love it.
Do you know the name of the Hockney you like? I’d like to look it up. What does it look like?
I own my own work/s – because I created them. I don’t necessarily say I will own them forever, because from time to time art shows come up and I select the ones I deem can possibly adorn someones’ elses wall…
That happened just before Xmas, and I was quite astounded that the mini woven “rag” wall hanging actually got sold – I added it just for fun to the submission…
I get a lot of joy out of creating art, crafts and similar…
That’s neat that other people like your work, but for me it’s not the most important part. You’ve inspired me to try arts and crafts because you made it sound like so much fun. Thank you!
Purpose has different applications.
For the maker there is self-expression, pleasure in making, delight in achievement, the satisfaction with the result.
For the audience there is pleasure and stimulation.
There is a general adding of richness to our environment.
Religious art can have a ‘technological’ purpose of being an access point to ways of being or contacting spirit. In the christian tradition icons are meant to be ‘transparent’ – meant to be seen through to god.
Personally I’m with Matisse. But this probably excludes Goya and such. And it may not give enough importance to the pleasure of encountering something genuinely creative. From popular music, Brian Eno’s lyric in Babies on Fire, “If you’d be my flotsam, I could be hotter than I used to” captures perfectly for me the clinging desperation of being in love. The first time I heard it, I went “Wow”.
When I included the quote I realized I was leaving out some powerful works of art, but even though those works don’t make us happy, they do enhance our lives. Different than looking at a piece and thinking of its monetary value
I guess if I was wealthy I would think about becoming a collector as a way to make money to spend on buying art. Meaning it would mostly be a good way to make money while being around art I liked.
Apparently the dealer who sold Matisse’s cutouts loved them and could only afford to buy one. He was doing just what you said.
Sometimes in life you spontaneously dislike a person. Who on earth would stipulate a Vermeer to be destroyed on the owner’s death? It’s awful. Awful. Awful.
I have “invested” in art. Not least when I bought my son his first easel, canvas and paints. He was three. Graces our walls. Years later he did a “Lowry” in style of, as requested by his art teacher. It was so good I had it framed. Funny old business: The Angel comes from a long line of painters. As, by proxy, do I. Yet I can’t paint to save my life. Though am good at doing caricatures. Pencil.
Would I spend money on art as an “investment”? No. But I would definitely, and have done so, buy what delights me, in line with what my wall space allows. On a slightly down the mouth note: There is a painting I need to sell. I can’t bring myself to do so. I psyche myself up to it. And then don’t follow through. Can’t do it. That painting symbolizes my life. You know what’s so idiotic, Jean: I can’t even hang it at the moment. It’s too big for where I currently live. Strange how the irrational sometimes takes the upper hand.
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I agree with you about the fellow who was going to have the piece destroyed. It horrified me. How selfish and disrespectful! It boggles my mind.
I don’t think it’s idiotic to want to hang on to a painting even though you can’t hang it in your current place. “Strange how the irrational sometimes takes the upper hand.” I learned at an early age that my irrational, subconscious mind ran the show. Best to spend time listening to it and getting some teamwork going. It’s a powerful ally.