My group members and I decided to tape this section off of a brick wall. We noticed these bricks had been stained white and had a rather rough texture, due to what seemed to be weathering, in comparison to the bricks just above the top taped horizontal line, which were smooth. Explaining to the rest of the class, we offered many explanations as to what these bricks could be interpreted as. For instance, it could symbolize that all humans are simply bricks in a wall, blending in until acts of nature and society around them make their mark, making them into individuals with their own uniqueness and traits. In addition, I offered that it could represent how time often leaves its mark, changing somethings beauty and meaning overtime. Also, it could symbolize that nature will always prevail over mankind and its creations, as the bricks being stained and worn down by nature will continue overtime until it is nothing but rubble.
The white stained bricks could have possibly been art before we taped it off; it depends on the onlooker. In a sense, it was art beforehand, but it could’ve ran down to the fact that the general public did not take the time to stop and notice the stained bricks and attempt to give it meaning, as we had. In that scenario, it wouldn’t have been considered art before we had taped it. Furthermore, this also applies to the question if it will remain art after the tape is removed–the people is our class may perceive it as art now that we had pointed it out and framed it–bringing their attention to it. Despite this, others still may not see this as art on their day to day as they pass by it.
In my opinion, art can lay in the object itself, however it is more dependent on the person who perceives it to see the value and meaning in a piece that truly makes it ‘art’. So, in essence, all items can be art, but not all are perceived or recognized as art to the general public–which makes some objects ‘art’ and others ‘not art’. Individuals may know when objects are art when it makes them feel a sensation or emotion, or that they can grab a piece of wisdom or interpret to hold meaning when they analyze it.
I suppose that something other than objects could be art; someone may describe their lover as ‘art’. Again, art is something than can provoke emotions or interpreted with meaning. So, yes, the viewers’ experience is what makes one consider if something is art, and if one takes the time to really analyze it, they can find what it means to them or how it could have beauty. Just like bricks in a wall, time and the viewer work hand in hand to create and perceive something as art.
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