Edit: It became apparent after posting this, that it seemed I was coming down on any piece of artwork that wasn't of extraordinary quality. This is not the case at all, and I apologize if it appeared so. I strongly support the concept of uploading work for critiques and with the intention of improving. This diatribe was written after a particularly irritating bout of arguments with people who posted work of extremely dubious quality who apparently had no intention of improving, and then proceeded to defend it with the argument of "you can't say what is and isn't art." Anyway, without further ado...

I am so sick and tired of reading how "No one can say what is and isn't art," and "Wah wah, I can't believe my submission was removed." (which incidentally doesn't happen often enough...)

The idea that "art" is some nebulous, all-encompassing, uber-vague description of absolutely whatever anyone on the face of the earth wants it to be is complete and utter IDIOCY. Art is NOT EVERYTHING. Everyone is NOT AN ARTIST. To make it so would degrade the entire concept of artists and their artwork.

If someone were to proclaim, "I'm a chef!" and then proceed to slop some dog crap on a plate and say, "This is a gourmet dinner!" no one in their right mind would respond, "Oh, ok, if you say it is, then I guess it is... because cooking is subjective and food can be whatever you want it to be." But for some reason, this attitude seems totally acceptable when it comes to art. Well friends, I'm sorry to say that this attitude is absurd. Someone needs to stand up and separate the crap from the skillfully prepared gourmet meal.

Art takes skill and talent. It really is beyond me why anyone would want to degrade it to the level of art encompassing everything. Unless of course it was to make art more accessible and require less work from the "artists." Which seems to be the trend in online communities all over the Net.

Art doesn't have to be "subjective." That's a ridiculous excuse concocted by people who either don't feel like being objective or can't explain why they actually believe something is art beyond "its relly nice, i leik it!"

I know it's been said before. I know it'll be said again. I know it won't accomplish anything. I just felt like saying it. Again.



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