Response to Tasha's question on Weitz 11/1/09

On November 1, 2009 Tasha posed the question; "Can anyone but artists themselves define art? Would they even be able to convey their thoughts on the matter? How can these theorists give true insight on art if they are not artists?"

I feel that we all have the potential to make art. Some of us just create art more aesthetically pleasing than others and some of us choose not to create art at all. Therefore, I believe we all have are "potential" artists and are capable of defining art. But the defining part is the problem. I believe most of us attempt to define art, but really what we are doing in the process is judging art.

To say that all of us are capable of being artists is bold, but I believe holds truth. The second part of Tasha's question may hold a different answer though. I think anyone can convey their thoughts on art, but how much merit we give to their thoughts may differ. For example, the thoughts of a professional artist with a degree in art may hold a lot more merit than the thoughts of a person that is a mere amateur that sketches during their spare time and calls themselves an artist.

These theorists cannot give true insight on art if they are not artists. They only can tell us their thesis's, which they deduced from their deep knowledge on art. True insight on something must be experienced. For example, it is hard to be comforted by a person who has never experienced the loss of loved one when you lose a loved one. The other person can attempt to comfort you all they want, but they do not know truly how you are feeling because they have never experienced that feeling and therefore cannot give true insight.