The world is changing more rapidly today than ever before. As with many things art too has been in a state of alteration. I have noted that art changes overtime and with each generation. This is a normal occurrence.
But the changes in art for a lack of a better word are, diverging, from what traditionally, we understood for centuries as Art.
I have long held the belief that Art cannot be taught. This is becoming more evident to me today. We teach methods, techniques, mediums, processes, past art, living and dead artists and their work. But Art needs a lifetime of practice, trial an error, failures along with successes and much exploration. Over time hopefully we adsorb the knowledge. And after, expectantly become artists.
Artists, throughout history, have been stigmatized with the idea that in general they are missing a few screws; they are eccentric or even deviant - in the sense departing from usual or accepted standards, especially in social thinking and behavior. And one can state with some assurance, we, artists and non artists alike, are all a bit odd with personal baggage which we carry with us throughout our lives. Artists it seems suffer a few more lost screws than most.
With that said, I assert am not a psychologist. I have no medical training whatsoever and the observations here are only my empirical views and opinions.
Many who are creating art today seem to me to be working out their neurosis though the art process. Neurosis is a class of functional mental disorders involving chronic distress, insecurity and self doubt, but neither delusions nor hallucinations.
Neurosis here should not be mistaken for psychosis, which refers to a loss of touch with reality. Neither should it be mistaken for neuroticism. Although, these too have been attributed to many artists as well.
Many of the new crop of artists showing their work, and process, online exhibit little or no formal art training and disclose limited instruction. Acquiring art instruction through online videos, books, acquaintances or in isolation does not qualify as formal art training.
But here is the odd thing-
This neurosis are acceptable to me. And I am in favor of creating art for mental and/or medical purposes. Art has therapeutic benefits which can and does help identify and assuage personal issues we all suffer from. Creating art can, in my opinion, be an alternative to some psycotherapy or drug induced treatments. Art has been known to help if not alleviate stress and anxiety in even the most rational and coherent of individuals.
Where I have trouble with these artists is when we, as a community begin to accept their endeavors as bone fide art creations.
So much attention is being focused on individual expression in the name of political correctness, we are losing site of generations of masterful art. Art made through true talent, serious study and incomparable ability.
Art today is commonplace and democratized. We have lost sight of what art was and how it used to be made. Also what art means to us today as a people, a society and as a world citizenry.
Putting this type of art in its place is a positive thing - perfectly acceptable as therapy. Attempting to elevate it to art status is deliberately blindfolding ourselves to a history of art and tossing out all the masterpieces that have come before. I concede there are many talented inventive creative people on this planet who wish to be artists. And we are told over and over to never give up our dreams. The Art life has a minefield of difficulties and disappointments. It is not made from ignorance or neurosis alone. Skill, training, diligence and study are the mainstays of much of the art created throughout history. And can only be attained through study, mastering traditional techniques and methods and mastering your materials and most importantly, mastering yourself. Anyone can post artwork online but let's not lose sight of the fact that what we see needs to be placed into proper context with what has come before.
Art is personal expression. But not all personal expression is Art.