How to Define “Art” in the 21st Century
What defines art? How will we define it in this new phase of humanity? Is art created using artificial intelligence considered “art”? Can a photograph generated using AI be compared to a photograph taken by a human? What is the distinction?
I am trying to sort out my feelings on all of this. We probably all have different answers to the above questions.
This seems like the next manifestation of Duchamp’s urinal entry in the first exhibition of the Society of Independent Artists where he submitted a ready-made object, wrote “R. Mutt 1917” on it, and declared it art. In 2004 it was voted the most influential artwork of the 20th century by 500 of the art world’s leading experts.
We are in a new age of redefining art.
Growing Personal Creativity
Besides trying to think about this on a societal level, I am trying to decipher my thoughts on this on a personal one.
I want to infuse my art with the essence of “me” so that it is different from art created using AI. What effect does my mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual state have on the art’s composition?
Here are a few exercises I have been trying. These are from the books How To Be An Artist by Jerry Saltz and Drawing For Illustration by Martin Salisbury.
3 Simple Ways to Infuse Your Art With Your Own Self
1. Choose Your Materials Intentionally
In How To Be An Artist, author Jerry Saltz talks about how the materials you choose will speak for you. Their essence will show in your work.
Some materials give long, graceful lines, others give pointy, staccato prints. Let these materials reflect your inner self. Choose these specifically to match your mood and personality to communicate what you are trying to say.
2. Draw From Memory
This is a very personal and subjective process. Every person will remember the same situation differently. When you draw from memory, you will inevitably integrate parts of your mood and psyche into the piece, which will provide a snapshot of your emotional and mental state at the time you observed and created the piece. This is an easy way to infuse art with more of yourself. It can reveal a lot.
Practice emphasizing subjective things. How were you feeling? What feeling did the colors give you? Was it outside? Maybe raining? How did the rain feel on your skin? Were people in a rush? What was their energy like? These are what give life to a monotone scene.
3. Practice Blind Drawing
Blind drawing means looking at an object while drawing it, rather than at the paper. This is counter-intuitive but will infuse your art piece with parts of you that would not be captured if you rendered the image exactly. It creates a work of subconscious expressionism.
Messy Bun Book Lover
(Originally posted on May 12, 2025)
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