Re: [APML]: Art or Science

["Wil Milan" <wmilan@airdigital.com>]

The Astro-Photography Mailing List
------------------------------------

In Western society in the late 20th century art is whatever anyone says it
is. Thus a photo of soiled bedsheets is considered "art" by some, and in
fact such an exhibit recently ran in a major urban art center. Or, as I
heard an artist say a few years ago, "It's art because I am an astist, and
therefore everything I do is art." When I asked her what made her an artist,
she said it was because art is what she did.

To those not involved in the art world that artist's statements may seem
circular, but she meant every word, and I have heard essentially the same
thing from others: An aritst is one who creates art, and art is whatever an
artist deems to be his or her artistic creation. Thus under that modern
prevailing view Ansel Adams' images of Yosemite are art, and Serrano's poor
snapshot of a crucifix in a glass of urine is also art.

Under that view, therefore, Chuck's astrophotos are art if he deems them
art.

My own view is that the modern _de facto_ meaning of art  has rendered the
term "art" essentially meaningless. If anything can be art then the term
"art" has no specific meaning or value, and it is therefore impossible to
discuss the concept and execution of art in any objective way.

Wil M.


-----Original Message-----
From: Gregory David Stempel <fyrframe@ptinet.net>
To: astro-photo@nightsky.com <astro-photo@nightsky.com>
Date: Friday, September 04, 1998 10:05 PM
Subject: [APML]: Art or Science


>The Astro-Photography Mailing List
>------------------------------------
>
>Hello
>
>I would like to get your feedback from any or all of you about
>Astrophotography.
>
>Is it Art or Science. Is it the Art of Science or Artistic Science? Are
>you  an Artist?
>
>I got into a huge debate at the studios about this. I defended
>astrophotography as an art form which focused on scientific subjects. I
>was told it was just science.
>
>Also, if the art community feels it is science, are they wrong? Does
>some of this very outstanding work deserve to be displayed in a
>Gallery??
>
>Thanks very much, and of course, take care out there.
>Gregory david Stempel
>