what’s the point that’s a question I heard in a museum
that’s a question I heard in a museum
that’s a question I heard in a museum once and it kind of stuck with me this
once and it kind of stuck with me this
once and it kind of stuck with me this entire talk will be a response to that
entire talk will be a response to that
entire talk will be a response to that one question so lady in the green
one question so lady in the green
one question so lady in the green sweatshirt National Museum of London
sweatshirt National Museum of London
sweatshirt National Museum of London this one’s for you what is the point
this one’s for you what is the point
this one’s for you what is the point art really is a cornerstone of human
art really is a cornerstone of human
art really is a cornerstone of human civilization it’s part of what makes us
civilization it’s part of what makes us
civilization it’s part of what makes us human and I often hear people talking
human and I often hear people talking
human and I often hear people talking about robots and sentience and these
about robots and sentience and these
about robots and sentience and these discussions they always end on the fact
discussions they always end on the fact
discussions they always end on the fact that a robot can gain sentience because
that a robot can gain sentience because
that a robot can gain sentience because it can’t feel you can’t teach a robot
it can’t feel you can’t teach a robot
it can’t feel you can’t teach a robot emotion they’re beyond description
emotion they’re beyond description
emotion they’re beyond description they’re singular in that they are just
they’re singular in that they are just
they’re singular in that they are just that emotion and I think this is really
that emotion and I think this is really
that emotion and I think this is really what art is an attempt to create so
what art is an attempt to create so
what art is an attempt to create so let’s move on to the real crux of what
let’s move on to the real crux of what
let’s move on to the real crux of what I’m talking about there’s this French
I’m talking about there’s this French
I’m talking about there’s this French painter that really fascinates me his
painter that really fascinates me his
painter that really fascinates me his name is Rene Francois Aslam agree and
name is Rene Francois Aslam agree and
name is Rene Francois Aslam agree and one of his most famous works it’s called
one of his most famous works it’s called
one of his most famous works it’s called the treachery of images now there it is
the treachery of images now there it is
the treachery of images now there it is on the slide there and while all you
on the slide there and while all you
on the slide there and while all you just shout out one word that you think
just shout out one word that you think
just shout out one word that you think of when you see this painting pipe
of when you see this painting pipe
of when you see this painting pipe surrealism there as well so this is a
surrealism there as well so this is a
surrealism there as well so this is a painting of a pipe on a canvas and
painting of a pipe on a canvas and
painting of a pipe on a canvas and underneath the pipe is written this is
underneath the pipe is written this is
underneath the pipe is written this is not a pipe in French and at first it’s
not a pipe in French and at first it’s
not a pipe in French and at first it’s easier to see this and think this is
easier to see this and think this is
easier to see this and think this is another one of those pretentious art
another one of those pretentious art
another one of those pretentious art house pieces that’s minimalistic for no
house pieces that’s minimalistic for no
house pieces that’s minimalistic for no reason but actually it isn’t as the
reason but actually it isn’t as the
reason but actually it isn’t as the young lady pointed out this is one of
young lady pointed out this is one of
young lady pointed out this is one of the most easily accessible pieces of
the most easily accessible pieces of
the most easily accessible pieces of modern surrealist art in the world right
modern surrealist art in the world right
modern surrealist art in the world right now I think what’s so great about this
now I think what’s so great about this
now I think what’s so great about this picture is that it comes as a really
picture is that it comes as a really
picture is that it comes as a really meta artistic idea the idea of
meta artistic idea the idea of
meta artistic idea the idea of representation so what I love about this
representation so what I love about this
representation so what I love about this is that it’s a painting that really
is that it’s a painting that really
is that it’s a painting that really confronts you it literally asks you a
confronts you it literally asks you a
confronts you it literally asks you a question and it makes you question it
question and it makes you question it
question and it makes you question it it’s like a really big dude it’s a big
it’s like a really big dude it’s a big
it’s like a really big dude it’s a big painting it’s 25 inches by 35 inches
painting it’s 25 inches by 35 inches
painting it’s 25 inches by 35 inches it’s on a big canvas it’s like a really
it’s on a big canvas it’s like a really
it’s on a big canvas it’s like a really big guy coming up to you and saying this
big guy coming up to you and saying this
big guy coming up to you and saying this is not a pipe but is that enough so
is not a pipe but is that enough so
is not a pipe but is that enough so let’s go back to on the great
let’s go back to on the great
let’s go back to on the great philosophical minds of our era lady in
philosophical minds of our era lady in
philosophical minds of our era lady in the green sweatshirt the National Museum
the green sweatshirt the National Museum
the green sweatshirt the National Museum of London who said but like what’s the
of London who said but like what’s the
of London who said but like what’s the point let’s answer that question I think
point let’s answer that question I think
point let’s answer that question I think this meaning is all about art it’s about
this meaning is all about art it’s about
this meaning is all about art it’s about how art makes you ask questions and it’s
how art makes you ask questions and it’s
how art makes you ask questions and it’s how a single
how a single
how a single image can have and hold innumerable
image can have and hold innumerable
image can have and hold innumerable meanings um the act of painting a pipe
meanings um the act of painting a pipe
meanings um the act of painting a pipe on a canvas and saying this is not a
on a canvas and saying this is not a
on a canvas and saying this is not a pipe on it wasn’t to be pretentious it’s
pipe on it wasn’t to be pretentious it’s
pipe on it wasn’t to be pretentious it’s to really show that art is
to really show that art is
to really show that art is representative and it’s really quite
representative and it’s really quite
representative and it’s really quite literal this isn’t a pipe just like the
literal this isn’t a pipe just like the
literal this isn’t a pipe just like the Mona Lisa isn’t a real person it’s a
Mona Lisa isn’t a real person it’s a
Mona Lisa isn’t a real person it’s a representation of a pipe but why is that
representation of a pipe but why is that
representation of a pipe but why is that important well because that’s the
important well because that’s the
important well because that’s the baseline of anything artistic these
baseline of anything artistic these
baseline of anything artistic these representations these expressions will
representations these expressions will
representations these expressions will ultimately inform and what people will
ultimately inform and what people will
ultimately inform and what people will look back at on past societies and
look back at on past societies and
look back at on past societies and civilizations so that’s one of the
civilizations so that’s one of the
civilizations so that’s one of the really important things about this piece
really important things about this piece
really important things about this piece it’s pure creativity imagination thought
it’s pure creativity imagination thought
it’s pure creativity imagination thought emotion is creation it’s a sleepless
emotion is creation it’s a sleepless
emotion is creation it’s a sleepless night it’s a shower thought it’s a
night it’s a shower thought it’s a
night it’s a shower thought it’s a fleeting idea poured onto a canvas and
fleeting idea poured onto a canvas and
fleeting idea poured onto a canvas and isn’t it beautiful and that’s maybe what
isn’t it beautiful and that’s maybe what
isn’t it beautiful and that’s maybe what brings up the glory point that are
brings up the glory point that are
brings up the glory point that are grateful I’ll saw philosophical was
grateful I’ll saw philosophical was
grateful I’ll saw philosophical was talking about so if you want to
talking about so if you want to
talking about so if you want to understand the importance of
understand the importance of
understand the importance of self-expression you have to look at the
self-expression you have to look at the
self-expression you have to look at the people who created the act of creating
people who created the act of creating
people who created the act of creating something I believe is inherently
something I believe is inherently
something I believe is inherently selfish because all the greatest works
selfish because all the greatest works
selfish because all the greatest works of art really impact people and take the
of art really impact people and take the
of art really impact people and take the selfishness from the artists point of
selfishness from the artists point of
selfishness from the artists point of view I think to think that they have
view I think to think that they have
view I think to think that they have this unique perspective that will
this unique perspective that will
this unique perspective that will actually impact people and it also
actually impact people and it also
actually impact people and it also highlights this symbiotic relationship
highlights this symbiotic relationship
highlights this symbiotic relationship that exists between the artists and the
that exists between the artists and the
that exists between the artists and the consumers of art art can’t be effective
consumers of art art can’t be effective
consumers of art art can’t be effective it can’t be worth anything unless it
it can’t be worth anything unless it
it can’t be worth anything unless it affects people and us as consumers of
affects people and us as consumers of
affects people and us as consumers of art need to be willing to let it into
art need to be willing to let it into
art need to be willing to let it into our lives and not be quick to dismiss it
our lives and not be quick to dismiss it
our lives and not be quick to dismiss it and that dismissal of new perspective is
and that dismissal of new perspective is
and that dismissal of new perspective is what leads to ignorance at its core
what leads to ignorance at its core
what leads to ignorance at its core that’s what art is not ignorant but a
that’s what art is not ignorant but a
that’s what art is not ignorant but a new perspective
new perspective
new perspective similarly there seems to be one of the
similarly there seems to be one of the
similarly there seems to be one of the main things that drives artists artists
main things that drives artists artists
main things that drives artists artists forward is discussion and debate and
forward is discussion and debate and
forward is discussion and debate and that’s kind of lacking I think in lorne
that’s kind of lacking I think in lorne
that’s kind of lacking I think in lorne society debate and discussion on a piece
society debate and discussion on a piece
society debate and discussion on a piece of art not only encourages people to
of art not only encourages people to
of art not only encourages people to express their own thoughts and opinions
express their own thoughts and opinions
express their own thoughts and opinions but also encourages new ideas and
but also encourages new ideas and
but also encourages new ideas and perspectives to flourish and also
perspectives to flourish and also
perspectives to flourish and also highlights this sort of cyclical nature
highlights this sort of cyclical nature
highlights this sort of cyclical nature that exists between art and the artist
that exists between art and the artist
that exists between art and the artist and that’s another thing that’s great
and that’s another thing that’s great
and that’s another thing that’s great about this painting we’re an art
about this painting we’re an art
about this painting we’re an art inspires art and the most obvious
inspires art and the most obvious
inspires art and the most obvious examples of this that I can talk about
examples of this that I can talk about
examples of this that I can talk about is music if you look back at how modern
is music if you look back at how modern
is music if you look back at how modern musicians were inspired by people that
musicians were inspired by people that
musicians were inspired by people that lay listen to you when they grew up and
lay listen to you when they grew up and
lay listen to you when they grew up and how
how
how channeled their sound you can even look
channeled their sound you can even look
channeled their sound you can even look back at the rock-and-roll movement of
back at the rock-and-roll movement of
back at the rock-and-roll movement of the 50s 60s and 70s and how bands like
the 50s 60s and 70s and how bands like
the 50s 60s and 70s and how bands like Led Zeppelin and the WHO and the Rolling
Led Zeppelin and the WHO and the Rolling
Led Zeppelin and the WHO and the Rolling Stones were inspired by blues musicians
Stones were inspired by blues musicians
Stones were inspired by blues musicians like Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters those
like Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters those
like Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters those people listen to the blues musicians and
people listen to the blues musicians and
people listen to the blues musicians and what they were doing and they were
what they were doing and they were
what they were doing and they were really inspired by them and they evolved
really inspired by them and they evolved
really inspired by them and they evolved on their sound and in turn inspired a
on their sound and in turn inspired a
on their sound and in turn inspired a whole new generation of musicians that
whole new generation of musicians that
whole new generation of musicians that cycle really just keeps repeating on and
cycle really just keeps repeating on and
cycle really just keeps repeating on and on and on
on and on
on and on I keep repeating the term
I keep repeating the term
I keep repeating the term self-expression and I think that’s
self-expression and I think that’s
self-expression and I think that’s because there really is no substitute
because there really is no substitute
because there really is no substitute that better encompasses what I’m trying
that better encompasses what I’m trying
that better encompasses what I’m trying to say art is self-expression and all
to say art is self-expression and all
to say art is self-expression and all that means is that it’s a form of
that means is that it’s a form of
that means is that it’s a form of creative output we as people express
creative output we as people express
creative output we as people express ourselves every day we say how we feel
ourselves every day we say how we feel
ourselves every day we say how we feel if we like something if we don’t like
if we like something if we don’t like
if we like something if we don’t like something we tell people and we do this
something we tell people and we do this
something we tell people and we do this through language and we do through
through language and we do through
through language and we do through emotion and that the crux of any form of
emotion and that the crux of any form of
emotion and that the crux of any form of creative output is a broader concept
creative output is a broader concept
creative output is a broader concept being expressed through an
being expressed through an
being expressed through an unconventional medium and all
unconventional medium and all
unconventional medium and all unconventional is to say is that it’s
unconventional is to say is that it’s
unconventional is to say is that it’s not directly expressed a little bit like
not directly expressed a little bit like
not directly expressed a little bit like this is not a pipe it’s telling you
this is not a pipe it’s telling you
this is not a pipe it’s telling you something but truly this is the most
something but truly this is the most
something but truly this is the most effective way of expressing yourself
effective way of expressing yourself
effective way of expressing yourself because if I have a point to make and I
because if I have a point to make and I
because if I have a point to make and I tell people at that point is sure
tell people at that point is sure
tell people at that point is sure they’ll listen but I can only keep them
they’ll listen but I can only keep them
they’ll listen but I can only keep them interested for so long my reach is
interested for so long my reach is
interested for so long my reach is limited as a human being that kind of
limited as a human being that kind of
limited as a human being that kind of sounds ironic saying think what I’m
sounds ironic saying think what I’m
sounds ironic saying think what I’m doing right now but we’ll go with it
doing right now but we’ll go with it
doing right now but we’ll go with it yeah but if I transfer that concept the
yeah but if I transfer that concept the
yeah but if I transfer that concept the idea to a medium that has a potential
idea to a medium that has a potential
idea to a medium that has a potential stand the test of time and isn’t limited
stand the test of time and isn’t limited
stand the test of time and isn’t limited by my reach as a human being I am
by my reach as a human being I am
by my reach as a human being I am empowering the idea it becomes bigger
empowering the idea it becomes bigger
empowering the idea it becomes bigger than me or any one person and why would
than me or any one person and why would
than me or any one person and why would you not want to do that it’s my real
you not want to do that it’s my real
you not want to do that it’s my real question maybe that also makes part of
question maybe that also makes part of
question maybe that also makes part of the point so one thing that really
the point so one thing that really
the point so one thing that really stagnant and restricts our means for
stagnant and restricts our means for
stagnant and restricts our means for artistic expression is prejudice
artistic expression is prejudice
artistic expression is prejudice prejudice against artistic mediums you
prejudice against artistic mediums you
prejudice against artistic mediums you can look at developing art forms and
can look at developing art forms and
can look at developing art forms and some have this stigma in them that the
some have this stigma in them that the
some have this stigma in them that the art created within them is inherently
art created within them is inherently
art created within them is inherently artistic and isn’t valued as highly as
artistic and isn’t valued as highly as
artistic and isn’t valued as highly as other mediums and what this does is it
other mediums and what this does is it
other mediums and what this does is it creates this dismissal of new
creates this dismissal of new
creates this dismissal of new perspective that I’m talking about and
perspective that I’m talking about and
perspective that I’m talking about and what happens is these newly developing
what happens is these newly developing
what happens is these newly developing art forms they don’t have the ability to
art forms they don’t have the ability to
art forms they don’t have the ability to grow into something that people can
grow into something that people can
grow into something that people can actually respect and the people that
actually respect and the people that
actually respect and the people that work within them or then they aren’t
work within them or then they aren’t
work within them or then they aren’t able to create more at the base than
able to create more at the base than
able to create more at the base than they should and when you approach these
they should and when you approach these
they should and when you approach these mediums in this way with this mindset of
mediums in this way with this mindset of
mediums in this way with this mindset of prejudice
prejudice
prejudice you’re really dismissing these new
you’re really dismissing these new
you’re really dismissing these new experiences and perspective
experiences and perspective
experiences and perspective that the the art form has to offer and
that the the art form has to offer and
that the the art form has to offer and the beauty of hat but that’s okay that
the beauty of hat but that’s okay that
the beauty of hat but that’s okay that there’s nothing wrong with that the
there’s nothing wrong with that the
there’s nothing wrong with that the beauty of having these different forms
beauty of having these different forms
beauty of having these different forms of creative output is that it gives you
of creative output is that it gives you
of creative output is that it gives you as a consumer of art the choice you can
as a consumer of art the choice you can
as a consumer of art the choice you can like things and you can not like things
like things and you can not like things
like things and you can not like things so that’s fine the problem lies when
so that’s fine the problem lies when
so that’s fine the problem lies when people don’t respect the creative
people don’t respect the creative
people don’t respect the creative process to say or imply that that
process to say or imply that that
process to say or imply that that artistic medium has no artistic merit is
artistic medium has no artistic merit is
artistic medium has no artistic merit is a disrespect everyone that works within
a disrespect everyone that works within
a disrespect everyone that works within that medium and everyone who’s found
that medium and everyone who’s found
that medium and everyone who’s found married within pieces in that medium and
married within pieces in that medium and
married within pieces in that medium and that again least that dismissal of new
that again least that dismissal of new
that again least that dismissal of new perspective and is ultimately bad for us
perspective and is ultimately bad for us
perspective and is ultimately bad for us as a society
as a society
as a society so in exceptionally great New York Times
so in exceptionally great New York Times
so in exceptionally great New York Times article I read the other day these two
article I read the other day these two
article I read the other day these two novelists Thomas Malin and Pankaj Mishra
novelists Thomas Malin and Pankaj Mishra
novelists Thomas Malin and Pankaj Mishra discussed whether there was such a thing
discussed whether there was such a thing
discussed whether there was such a thing as low and highbrow art terms I’m sure
as low and highbrow art terms I’m sure
as low and highbrow art terms I’m sure you’ve all heard before I won’t spoil
you’ve all heard before I won’t spoil
you’ve all heard before I won’t spoil what they concluded but I will tell you
what they concluded but I will tell you
what they concluded but I will tell you what I think I don’t really believe in
what I think I don’t really believe in
what I think I don’t really believe in the terms low and highbrow art I’m one
the terms low and highbrow art I’m one
the terms low and highbrow art I’m one of those people that really thinks art
of those people that really thinks art
of those people that really thinks art is just what you make it the problem I
is just what you make it the problem I
is just what you make it the problem I think with these rigid definitions of
think with these rigid definitions of
think with these rigid definitions of art is that really it’s such a personal
art is that really it’s such a personal
art is that really it’s such a personal concept and the emotion that I or you
concept and the emotion that I or you
concept and the emotion that I or you get out of any piece of art is solely
get out of any piece of art is solely
get out of any piece of art is solely individual to you or me and it can’t be
individual to you or me and it can’t be
individual to you or me and it can’t be shared with anyone else so really who is
shared with anyone else so really who is
shared with anyone else so really who is any one person to say that one piece is
any one person to say that one piece is
any one person to say that one piece is more effective than another or any piece
more effective than another or any piece
more effective than another or any piece of art in a city to be successful really
of art in a city to be successful really
of art in a city to be successful really is affect someone anyone doesn’t matter
is affect someone anyone doesn’t matter
is affect someone anyone doesn’t matter so now article Thomas Malin points out
so now article Thomas Malin points out
so now article Thomas Malin points out that according to Wikipedia the term
that according to Wikipedia the term
that according to Wikipedia the term highbrow was popularized by will Owen
highbrow was popularized by will Owen
highbrow was popularized by will Owen who’s reporter for the Sun magazine and
who’s reporter for the Sun magazine and
who’s reporter for the Sun magazine and he popularized it in 1902 let’s talk a
he popularized it in 1902 let’s talk a
he popularized it in 1902 let’s talk a bit about will or when he was an
bit about will or when he was an
bit about will or when he was an interesting guy he thought that people
interesting guy he thought that people
interesting guy he thought that people who were really intelligent had really
who were really intelligent had really
who were really intelligent had really big foreheads so you can really see the
big foreheads so you can really see the
big foreheads so you can really see the absurdity of that term my problem with
absurdity of that term my problem with
absurdity of that term my problem with these distinctions is that it’s really a
these distinctions is that it’s really a
these distinctions is that it’s really a platform for artistic elitism and
platform for artistic elitism and
platform for artistic elitism and prejudice to thrive there’s a notion
prejudice to thrive there’s a notion
prejudice to thrive there’s a notion that consumers of lowbrow art don’t look
that consumers of lowbrow art don’t look
that consumers of lowbrow art don’t look at fiber art because they don’t
at fiber art because they don’t
at fiber art because they don’t understand it it’s too much for their
understand it it’s too much for their
understand it it’s too much for their feeble brains to comprehend but highbrow
feeble brains to comprehend but highbrow
feeble brains to comprehend but highbrow consumers will often look at low growl
consumers will often look at low growl
consumers will often look at low growl or to get a better understanding of
or to get a better understanding of
or to get a better understanding of what’s influencing the Vox Populi and
what’s influencing the Vox Populi and
what’s influencing the Vox Populi and just to see and inspire themselves
just to see and inspire themselves
just to see and inspire themselves because you know they’re above all of us
because you know they’re above all of us
because you know they’re above all of us I think Alexander Hudson the Russian
I think Alexander Hudson the Russian
I think Alexander Hudson the Russian writer put it best when he said art is
writer put it best when he said art is
writer put it best when he said art is not at ease
not at ease
not at ease the stiff over neat thrifty house of the
the stiff over neat thrifty house of the
the stiff over neat thrifty house of the petite bourgeoisie see our know about
petite bourgeoisie see our know about
petite bourgeoisie see our know about you guys we’re just saying that’s made
you guys we’re just saying that’s made
you guys we’re just saying that’s made me kind of Angry but what do I know I
me kind of Angry but what do I know I
me kind of Angry but what do I know I don’t have a Wikipedia page and
don’t have a Wikipedia page and
don’t have a Wikipedia page and Alexander Herzen has a very very very
Alexander Herzen has a very very very
Alexander Herzen has a very very very long one so simply put I’m not a fan of
long one so simply put I’m not a fan of
long one so simply put I’m not a fan of these strict definitions of good or bad
these strict definitions of good or bad
these strict definitions of good or bad art that’s not to say I’m gonna compare
art that’s not to say I’m gonna compare
art that’s not to say I’m gonna compare a drawing done by a child with Crayola
a drawing done by a child with Crayola
a drawing done by a child with Crayola Crayons to a DaVinci portrayed technical
Crayons to a DaVinci portrayed technical
Crayons to a DaVinci portrayed technical skill can be measured I’m not going to
skill can be measured I’m not going to
skill can be measured I’m not going to salute that but it never guarantees
salute that but it never guarantees
salute that but it never guarantees emotional impact it doesn’t matter how
emotional impact it doesn’t matter how
emotional impact it doesn’t matter how masterfully you execute your painting
masterfully you execute your painting
masterfully you execute your painting piece of music film sculpture doesn’t
piece of music film sculpture doesn’t
piece of music film sculpture doesn’t matter it will never guarantee that
matter it will never guarantee that
matter it will never guarantee that people actually get emotion out of it
people actually get emotion out of it
people actually get emotion out of it there has to be that emotional crux that
there has to be that emotional crux that
there has to be that emotional crux that influences it I’d like to end with a
influences it I’d like to end with a
influences it I’d like to end with a quote by Stephen Fry he said a true
quote by Stephen Fry he said a true
quote by Stephen Fry he said a true thing poorly expressed is a lie and that
thing poorly expressed is a lie and that
thing poorly expressed is a lie and that really captures the essence of any
really captures the essence of any
really captures the essence of any artistic endeavor you know the process
artistic endeavor you know the process
artistic endeavor you know the process of finding a truth and trying to express
of finding a truth and trying to express
of finding a truth and trying to express that and whether the truth is expressed
that and whether the truth is expressed
that and whether the truth is expressed effectively is really down to you all as
effectively is really down to you all as
effectively is really down to you all as consumers of art you get to choose that
consumers of art you get to choose that
consumers of art you get to choose that and I’d like to add on to that that any
and I’d like to add on to that that any
and I’d like to add on to that that any idea that isn’t expressed is wasted so
idea that isn’t expressed is wasted so
idea that isn’t expressed is wasted so I’d like to urge all you to go out there
I’d like to urge all you to go out there
I’d like to urge all you to go out there put that pen to paper be more active
put that pen to paper be more active
put that pen to paper be more active consumers of art be more active creative
consumers of art be more active creative
consumers of art be more active creative of art and always ask what is the point
of art and always ask what is the point
of art and always ask what is the point but when you do note that the only
but when you do note that the only
but when you do note that the only person who can answer that and who owes
person who can answer that and who owes
person who can answer that and who owes and you an answer to that is yourself
and you an answer to that is yourself
and you an answer to that is yourself thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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