[Jewelry making - Article 01208] - Re: [Orchid] Is it Art? Is it Craft?

[Noel]

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>       art... maybe. 

    I think it is the illusory definition that keeps things interesting.
    We won't ever get it "fixed and wriggling on a pin" (to quote T.S.
    Elliott, the Love Song of J Alfred Proofrock)-- thank God! That
    would be the end of us all! 

    When I was a freshman in college, I had an experience that has stuck
    with me (well, a gew, but one that seems relevant here). A friend of
    mine was assigned to write a paper on the existence of free will. We
    started discussing it, and agreed that the first thing that had to
    be done was to define "free will". We became so engrossed that we
    sat down right where we were, in the corridor of our dorm, and
    talked for several hours, with people stepping over and between us.
    (Ah, the long-gone good ole days.) When we finally had the
    definition figured out, the answer was trivial, obvious. I don't
    remember the definition, or the conclusion (willing to bet it was
    "yes, man has free will"), but the process has stayed with me. 

    I don't remember who it was, but some philosopher said "The purpose
    of philosophy is not to answer questions, but to keep them open". I
    endorse that, and would count art as a branch of philosophy. 

    That's why I say, God save us from ever "settling" the question of
    what art is, or what is art. The world would be a poorer place. 

    IMHO. 

--Noel

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