Are Crafts Art?
Sure you put your time, energy, and money into it; but is knitting that sweater really an artform? That’s a great question pondered over at Artist’s Passion. I know that as a crafter I’m a bit biased. I do think that crafting is art. It may not bring in the money and fame that painting or sculpting do, but it requires the same blood, sweat, and tears that any other art takes. And if you have ever seen me trying to handstitch something you will know all about the blood, sweat, and tears involved.
So, why is it people view artists who work in traditional artsy mediums artists and people who work in crafty mediums hobbyists? I think it has something to do with the artist mystique. Artists are somehow more than regular folk. They’re more tormented. They’re more creative. They’re more in-the-know.
What do you think? Are crafts a form of art or are they just hobbies? Do those who do crafts dserve the same kind of artistic treatment as those who paint, sculpt, write poetry, and so on? As crafters we can be creative and passionate, but does that alone make it art. Is a crochet sweater less artistic than, say… a crochet vulva? And if so who gets to decide where the line is?
Head over to Artist’s Passion and share your opinion. And while you’r there check out her post on my new favorite artist, Orianna Kurrus. I am thrilld to have found about this woman! She lives in a commune, which scores lots of cool points from this wanna-be hippie. She’s also the painter of the piece I am begging for for my birthday (hint hint).
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:14 pm
Okay, I’ll put in my 2 cents. Yes, crafts are art because creating is art. What is not art is the super duplication of craft kits to make a copy of an original a thousand times over. Art has a scale. The Mona Lisa is at the pinnacle while a finger painting is just the beginning.
October 23rd, 2007 at 12:17 am
Definitely!