Who’s an Artist?

[Father Gino]

I'm very tired and perhaps a bit inebriated, so forgive me if you think this is stupid, but in my present state of mind, I'm sincerely interested in the question.

Are any of the following groups or persons artists: Ramones, Kiss, David Byrne, The Who, Zanfir and the Magic Flute, Miles Davis, Stravinsky, Beethoven?

If the answer is: all of them (or none of them), then there's no discussion necessary.

If the answer is only some of them, where, how and why do you draw the line? Is it all purely subjective? I don't know nuthin 'bout art, but I know what I like!

To change the subject, who said: "Do what you love and the money will follow." Does that apply to musicians and artists? Is it a dead concept now? Was it always a loser's comment?

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Kiss and the rest of your list = Entertainers.

Music is entertainment, then the money comes. As an Artist... goodluck.

 

[Father Gino]

Kiss and the rest of your list = Entertainers.

Music is entertainment, then the money comes. As an Artist... goodluck.

So your answer is: none of them. There is such a thing as performance art. Miles would've punched you right in the face if you told him that

How about Shakespeare?

Art by definition cannot be purposefully entertaining? Dali wouldn't have liked that concept at all! He made tons of money by the way.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

In order to possibly call them "artists" we have to define what art is first. I got my bachelor's in fine arts, and master's in music. What is art and what is not was the eternal discussion. Classical musicians are being nice by calling popular music "rhythmic music" btw

 

[Father Gino]

In order to possibly call them "artists" we have to define what art is first. I got my bachelor's in fine arts, and master's in music. What is art and what is not was the eternal discussion. Classical musicians are being nice by calling popular music "rhythmic music" btw

Yes this is another attempt at that eternal discussion. Surely it deserves as much attention as 15 pages of Whether or not Joe Dart's signature bass sucks. I have a BA in film making so you know I'm on the outer fringe of the who's an artist.
The rhythmic music comment is snooty enough to place said classical musicians in the artist camp for sure Their music has no rhythm I guess and I suppose it is beyond mere entertainment.

 

[joelns]

Oy, this is a massive can of worms. It's one of those topics best debated in person over a libation or 3. IMO, there's no right or wrong answer on it. As a result, there are more opinions than there are people that will see this thread.

Have a lovely evening, and I hope your headache isn't too bad in the morning.

 

[Gorn]

The question really is "what is art" because if anyone does something that might be art, they're an artist. Stuff called art sells for millions. Doesn't mean it's good.

 

[knumbskull]

Music is art, musicians are artists. I'm not saying all of them are good artists…

 

[ElectroVibe]

I don't believe in Art For Art's Sake. A piece is only as valuable as the good that it inspires in people.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Before you answer this, you have to define the term "art".

 

[joelns]

I don't believe in Art For Art's Sake. A piece is only as valuable as the good that it inspires in people.

Good or evil or something else? That's another discussion

 

[dbsfgyd1]

In order to possibly call them "artists" we have to define what art is first. I got my bachelor's in fine arts, and master's in music. What is art and what is not was the eternal discussion. Classical musicians are being nice by calling popular music "rhythmic music" btw

Snobs aren't they? LOL!! Well at least they consider it music, disclaimer aside.

 

[JohnNash]

Okay, I actually thought this was going to be a thread asking who on TB is an artist, as in singer/songwriter, writes original music etc lol.
I guess someone has already done one of those threads already?
(If no one has, I'd be quite keen to do a poll, but I'm not sure how you do those polls yet).

 

[AceOfBassFace]

I submit that every human alive is an artist. Some animals too, even drummers.

 

[JohnNash]

I submit that every human alive is an artist. Some animals too, even drummers.

Does this include Conga Players? I know they operate to the beat of a different drum, but still...

 

[Dabndug]

Thought experiment: let's say someone is an artist if they contribute to a creative process. To clarify: anyone who is involved in composition or arrangement is an artist. On this basis reproducing someone else's interpretation of another person's composition is not art - it's a technical exercise.

If this is true, Joey Ramone is an artist of sorts, as he contributed to compositions and arrangements, but the vast majority of cover band musicians and classical musicians are not. They are technicians.

 

[BadSanta1281]

IMHO music is an art form therefore all musicians are artists. Even conga players and cover bands.

You don't have to personally appreciate the art for it to be valid... somebody else will.

 

[Slade N]

They are all. Your opinion and tastes matter to you and thats it. What is art/what is artistic totally subjective. What makes an artist an artist is the act doing, the content/output makes no difference.

 

[5StringBlues]

Don't you be talking smack on Zamfir!


He's the master of the pan flute.

 

[BadSanta1281]