Christopher Chetcuti

I have posed this question to myself lately several times. I have seen others make various attempts at the answer and read many an article about the same subject. Here is my opinion.

Are all forms of expression acceptable as works of fine art?

I feel I have to start by defining what a work of art is for me. That would be a form of expression in a medium that can convey a message through time. That is it’s only intended purpose. An example of such an object would be cave paintings from antiquity. They deliver a message, do not have any obvious function, and they can withstand the test of time, hence forth they can be considered as artworks.

In this case we can argue that any object that today holds a function may in the future become a conversation piece, take for example the ‘Bakra’, a ceramic pot used to slow cook meats in the shape of a cow. It had a clear function but today it’s absolutely useless, and I’m sure that any collector that manages to get hold of one will proudly display it in their collection of antiques, hence becoming a form of art. In the case of the ‘Bakra’, I feel it’s not a clear cut answer. It can be considered an art piece nowadays but what about it’s message? I think that by simply adding broccoli to the ‘Bakra’, we can be sending a message. A simple message to remember to eat our greens. A ‘Bakra’ with a glass broccoli on top, renders a functional object into an artwork. The message is deliberate.

I feel I have understood a few attributes of what makes an object an artwork; a clear message, no function in their present context or design, and the ability to withstand the test of time.

So, what if we introduce a function to the object, what does it become? A functional object! It’s no longer art. What if we remove the message? Than I believe the object will capture no particular interest. What if it cannot withstand the test of time? Than it will be lost to future generations.

An object may be beautiful, useful and designed well but art is not only about beauty. There are a lot of emotions, and ideologies, that we can comment about using art. I firmly believe that Art may as well be our most primitive and powerful discovery yet.