art or craft, artist or not?

It is understandable for the meaning of art to be a socially constructed idea, however we do not have to limit ourselves to defining it based on a specific time period or culture. This is because when we look at art, whether we are knowledgable or ignorant in its field of study, rich or poor, white or black, on occasion we will find something we can all agree upon being art. Stylistic tastes and individual preferences aside, once in awhile, if an art piece is good enough, it will leave critics with nothing but the best to say.  Even if this phenomenon has occurred only once throughout history, the fact that it happens is revolutionary. So what is this x factor that we cannot put out fingers on but that distinguishes a piece of work art?

During the 15^th century artisans were distinguished from artists in several ways. Aside from the distinction of education and social standing that usually goes hand in hand, the actual work created differentiated them as well.  Although the ignorance of the previous centuries was corrected, this notion of what was considered art remained untouched. If a work was created with some form of utility in mind, it was thought to be a craft, whereas if something was made for its own purpose of existing, it was art. It did not matter if both things were created with the same amount of aesthetic appeal, if such a concept can be quantified in some form of measurement. The problem with this school of thought that history has so kindly formed into our heads is that it overlooks a much more important aspect of creation, creativity. When someone creates something from nothing, and this creation yields unprecedented beauty in the way it exists or functions, then it has entered the selected realm of art.

I find it especially important to be as precise and exact with language as one can be, but never at the expense of blurring a word’s essence and meaning. Distinguishing between art and craft limits the true meaning of art because we strip the definition to fit into both words. Perhaps this insistence on clarification of art is a product of 15th century superiority. Art and craft can be one, and yet there is a focus to separate them as much as possible as though not doing so would create an offense.

Simply because a knife’s handle has a purpose does not mean we should overlook the design and beauty to it, and even worse, disregard it as art. If the condition of this knife entailed tremendous creativity, a handle or design never before seen, then it must simply be referred to as art.  In the 21^st century, and in any moment in time, an artist is someone who creates out of nothing, encasing beauty and talent into one.