de Dure, Thierry. ‘When form has become attitude and beyond’ (1994), Theory in contemporary art since 1945. Malden, MA: Blackwell (2005): 19-31. Print.
This text discusses the many conflicts in art teaching styles, focusing on the traditional academy method of imitation and the Bauhaus; as it struggles to find a balance between the technical and conceptual. De Dure attributes the belief of ‘talent’ to the academic model and creativity to the Bauhaus, stating that both models are now obsolete (de Dure, 22). Concerning these two concepts I agree, as it is my belief that either concept can’t function independently. They are too extreme, talents use of imitation leaves little to explore and true creative invention is impossible; art cannot occur in a vacuum, even unconsciously we as artists draw upon what we have seen, heard or experienced, something cannot come from nothing. I am most interested in this texts exploration of creativity, despite opinions raised in our group discussion I side with the texts interpretation of the Bauhaus belief that “creativity is grounded in a utopian belief [that] everyone is an artist” (de Dure, 22). I believe that all acts of creation from a child’s drawing to mass produced advertising is art, as by their very nature they are created and so require creativity however small in nature. From my observations It is the purpose of the pieces creation that generally labels its creator as an artist or not; as if the intention of art makes it art, seeming to me to be a far to clear cut line. I feel that this line between life and art is indefinable; creation doesn’t stop at the boundaries of the gallery and studio. Seth prices essay Dispersion addresses this issue of what defines ‘art’, he brings up Duchamp’s question of “can one make works which are not of art?”(Price, Seth. "Dispersion" Distribuded History (2002): p.2. Web. 22 Sept. 2010.) Duchamp’s words “call for an art that insinuates itself into culture at large” (Price, 2). I agree with Price’s view of Duchamp’s words, but Price voices the concern that by dispersing the definition of art will lower the status of art and artists (Price, 2). While I can sympathise with this concern, I feel that by having a definition of ‘art’ excludes a lot of work that deserves recognition, but that because of its purpose/motivation its creative aspects are overlooked.
