Addicted to Mediocrity, Chapter 7: Free to be Human

In this chapter, Schaeffer argues that we should do art because we can. The question then is, "What is art?" Is art just expression? Is art just creativity? "Creativity is individual, just the way God made us. it is an individual expression, it is your expression." (p.62) But your creativity is used in other things that is not art. Creativity is used in problem solving.

So what is art? Is art only categorized by dance, drama, music, illustration/painting, or sculpture? Just because something falls in one of these categories, should it be considered art?

art

n.

1. Human effort to imitate, supplement, alter, or counteract the work of nature.
2.
1. The conscious production or arrangement of sounds, colors, forms, movements, or other elements in a manner that affects the sense of beauty, specifically the production of the beautiful in a graphic or plastic medium.
2. The study of these activities.
3. The product of these activities; human works of beauty considered as a group.
3. High quality of conception or execution, as found in works of beauty; aesthetic value.
4. A field or category of art, such as music, ballet, or literature.
5. A nonscientific branch of learning; one of the liberal arts.
6.

1. A system of principles and methods employed in the performance of a set of activities: the art of building.
2. A trade or craft that applies such a system of principles and methods: the art of the lexicographer.
7.
1. Skill that is attained by study, practice, or observation: the art of the baker; the blacksmith's art.
2. Skill arising from the exercise of intuitive faculties: "Self-criticism is an art not many are qualified to practice" (Joyce Carol Oates).
8.
1. arts Artful devices, stratagems, and tricks.
2. Artful contrivance; cunning.
9. Printing. Illustrative material.

So what can be qualified as art? If something is commercial, can it still be art? Generally, something that is considered art is something that does not have a formal process. In other words, there isn't a set algorithm that you can use to accomplish the same thing. Sure there are techniques and processes asociated with the creation of the art, but you would be hard pressed to program a computer or robot to generate new ideas.

Thus, creativity is an integral component of art. But expression isn't. When you create a chair or develop a piece of software. There is very little expression in the creation of these things. At the same time, both of these are a form of art. The chair requires honed skills and trained talents to produce. Software requires an innate ability to make connections to produce working logic. You can almost say that without creativity, there is no art.