September

The project has been going great so far! Each day I strike up conversation with someone different about art and then ask him or her what they feel the purpose of art is. I have gotten some very different yet interesting answers but in each case it gets the person thinking and usually their answer changes somewhat after the conversation evolves. I am getting a lot out of the project myself. I've noticed a slight change in my definition. Here are excerpts from the conversations I have had each day...


9/1 - Art is great for decoration, it brings all the colors together in my house... -Ike

9/2 - I really don't know, I guess to express yourself? -Janet

9/3 - ...its got to have something to do with money. -Philip

9/4 - I like to color! -Chase (4 years old)

9/5 - Really good question, I think its purpose is to make those happy who enjoy doing things like that, you know? -Nathanael

9/6 - I don't know! I'm at work. -Corey

9/7 - Its about creating objective reality, even if one does not exist. Because that's what people want to believe in: objectivity. -Chris

9/8 - To communicate an expression in means other than written text or spoken tongue. -Dan

9/9 - Does it have to have a purpose? Why are you asking me about this?... -Betty

9/10 - Communication and storytelling I suppose. -Blaire

9/11 - You know that is a great question. To me, it is an escape from reality for people. Its like something that can put you in your own world and not have any distractions. -Brooke

9/12 - ...to tell people what you believe is important, man. -Ives

9/13 - Enjoyment. -Frankie

9/14 - There isn't a purpose. I'm not an artist but when I feel like creating something its a spontaneous thing, it just happens. Much like the cave man wall drawings from prehistoric days. -Jeff

9/15 - ...I'm not sure. I need time to even begin to understand it. -Jennifer

9/16 - ...to document a moment in time. It can be real or make believe but it serves as a standpoint for a person in one given time. -Steven

9/17 - Not really sure but I know you can't really make money for it anymore. -(didn't get his name)

9/18 - Its to make pretty things and beautiful things for everyone. -Jamey Lynn

9/19 - (OK... I took a day off of asking someone, but that's because I was worn out)

9/20 - There's a reason its around and I studied it in that art history class we took together freshman year but I don't remember off the top of my head. -Brittany

9/21 - (Completely forgot to bring the question up in conversation)

9/22 - Well, there has always been people doing art. It has too many roles for me to count but I would say the purpose of art is to shed light on something that a viewer might not ever see. -Jeff

9/23 - I didn't know you were in the art program. (he changed subject) -Kenny

9/24 - ...there isn't one purpose and it is different for everyone. -James

9/25 - Its how some people can make a living. Mostly whacked out older people. There are some crazies out there! -Kenny (finally answered my question on another day of conversation)

9/26 - I enjoy photography and most people use it to show a moment in time... -Brittany

9/27 - ...its more than just the physical outcome though, it has to say something too inside the viewer. -Brittany (conversation carried on from day before)

9/28 - I'm really sure its purpose is to make people happy in some sort of way. -Kenny

9/29 - ...get to make cool things that really say something. -James

9/30 - In some respects its about history and the telling of time but in others its about catching a glimpse of someone's soul and who the creator is. -Taylor