Suzanne Lacy=Art and that one discussion.

Oh, the ever present question of "What is Art?" that usually is being discussed at any point in time on any art school campus. Whenever this question arises, we can all usually agree on several well known universal truths. As Suzanne Lacy so eloquently illustrated in her article, these tiers are subject to variances. It is very important for us as practicing artists to have the common understanding that we all create out of our own experiential knowledge and to harbor a base level of respect that, by the very act of the artist creating something, they are evoking a reaction. Our processes and means may vary greatly, but the end result is to, either subconsciously or consciously, evoke a response/connection with others. We all know that every piece of art is subject to scrutiny, because its inherent in human nature to analyze and create judgements based on our personal experiences and knowledge base. There are arguments that art that is solely created for the gallery loses a particular essence, but that is of course, yet another vantage point. There When art is created with a public sensibility, there should be consideration for the audience. Many other questions arise, but certain boundaries are simultaneously created and lifted. An artist that has been commissioned to deliver such a statement should have the intent of engaging the viewer on a more broad human interest level. She mentions the artist as speaker for an entire group of people. This would automatically transcend the role of a traditional artist, but then again, isn't that what almost every artist nowadays is attempting to do? Essentially, every facet of art is open to serving function in one context or another and has its place. Thanks, Suzanne Lacy for laying it out for us up-and-coming artists.