Social practice art has been controversial since the trend was first introduced. This article discusses the impact and development of social practice and how the public and art community has reacted to these social practice endeavors.
"...[Mel Chin] thinks that the popularity of social practice among today’s artists reflects a pendulum swing away from the art market. “It’s a reaction against the excesses of individualism..." I have a problem with this quote in that Mel Chin seems to abhor individualism. He seems to imply that creating art for the purpose of satisfying the artist and only the artist is somehow a selfish idea. I believe that he is implying that art should always be based on community. I strongly disagree with this in that I believe art can be anything and should not be bound by any hidden moral obligation to change the world and community for the better. Why can't art just be a tool for self expression? Why can't art just be for the individual? At what extent is individualism considered excessive? What is his definition of individualism? I believe his idea is ridiculous. I believe some artists have the tendency to manipulate obscure and confusing concepts to over-inflate the value of their art. I still have a difficult time wrapping my head around the idea of this social practice being "art". I know that many believe that intent is the only thing that makes any creation art, but I believe that art can be defined as art by each individual viewer. Art should be judged as art by the eyes of the beholder and not by this forceful idea that tries to persuade many individuals that this social practice is indeed art. For me, there is a thin line between what is art and what is not, and social practice is on the border. There are some works that are considered social practice art that I would also consider art, but some others I would consider as just another way to garner attention to a specific cause by calling it art and bringing it controversy, which I don't think is necessarily bad but actually well thought out. I love the profound impact that social practice art is making but I cannot agree that these works are specifically art. They are definitely creative, innovative, and new, but I believe that these are sometimes just fun community events.
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AuthorMaggie L. Walker Governor's School Student in Art IV. Archives
May 2017
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