>>> Item number 26180 from WRITERS LOG9402C --- (38 records) ----- <<< Date: Sun, 20 Feb 1994 13:04:42 JST Reply-To: WRITERS Sender: WRITERS From: Mike Barker Subject: TECH: A possible definition of art and technique Since we've had so much fun with these topics, and they seem critical... I tried to come up with a couple of notions about how I would define them. I didn't dig out the old books or any other references, so you're welcome to tell me I've ignored J.R. Stockman's aesthetics or something. Still, this may be a starting place for discussion. So, here goes: Art is that knowledge of self and others, that intensity and focus of interest and caring, of feeling, which allows and compels a person to overcome the limitations of language (or other media) in conveying a message, a reflection of their life and self, that is seen brightly by other humans despite differences or similarities in culture, background, or experience, and is heard echoing down through time above the fading sounds of current interests and contradictions. Technique, while not sufficient to generate art, can sharpen that edge and provide the driving strength for the artist to cleave the bonds of language and society, striking into the heart of those mysteries which we share unknowingly. That's so abstract - look at fighters, down through the ages. Training teaches them how to swing the sword, how to get the shield in the way at the right time, and so forth. But the driving spark that puts a champion into the fight, keeps them there no matter what, and makes them succeed even when they don't know the rules or the style - that's something else. So buckle on a sword and shield, writers, and fight the good fight! tink