Art for Art’s Sake??? 

How we have lost sight of art’s purpose. 

by Michaell Magrutsche © 2007

Art for Art’s Sake???  - How we have lost sight of art’s purpose. 

Abstract (Document Summary): Never buy a piece of art giving consideration to where it will be displayed and/or how it will fit into a design scheme.  You are the one who has to live with it every day.  If you are enriched by an art piece, you will find its proper place.

Have you ever passed up an opportunity to purchase a piece of art you love only because you couldn't decide where you would display it?  Maybe you felt it would clash with your decor, or that it was not in proportion to your space.  Conversely, have you ever acquired a painting that you were indifferent towards simply because you envisioned it fitting into the decor?  Sadly, the acquisition of art has degenerated into this either/or decision based upon a piece’s eventual display site.   

Visual art must be capable of standing on its own.  A piece of art should be an extension or expression of one’s self and, therefore, fit anywhere.  Artwork should have a profound meaning to you personally, or should touch your soul.  If you purchase art that does not meet these criteria, then it is simply relegated to the status of one of the components of your interior design scheme, like a lampshade or the drapes.  If you truly love a certain piece, you should never have to consider how it would fit into your decor.  Buying art to blend with the decor will not only eventually bore you, but does a disservice to the artist who wants his pieces prominently displayed.  

Artists and art collectors, worldwide, rarely ask themselves where to display a canvas.  They will hang a painting wherever it maximizes their viewing pleasure.  Collectors’ tastes in art change, just like their preferences in automobiles.  They go through different phases with each: artists, styles, or schools of art; and SUVs, sports cars, or luxury sedans.

Over the past few decades, the relationship between buyer and art has diminished.  People are acquiring art to either satisfy their egos or as an investment.  They focus on the “hot” artist of the day in order to flaunt their status, or they view their acquisition as a commodity with an eye towards appreciation.  This results in many purchasers failing to appreciate the wonderful properties and intrinsic values that art possesses.

          So, the next time you consider a work of art, do not ask yourself where it will fit.  If a painting has an effect on you, display it with abandon. Remind yourself that you are the custodian of a sliver of someone’s soul expression to be handed down for someone else’s enjoyment.  Let it serve as a reflection of who you are and, above all, enjoy it!

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