Is This Art? – Moving Pictures

As spring approaches, and with the arrival of Daylight Saving Time, I am outdoors more, both as a journalist and as a homeowner.

Two folding chairs cast long shadows on a sunny morning recently.

Since I am a photographer both as a profession and for a hobby, I am always taking pictures. Some of these pictures are very straightforward, like tornado damage, flowers blooming, or kids playing ball, but I also try to indulge my artistic side.

Thus, when I see a splash of color, or a crooked shadow, or a streak of light, I make a picture. But the real question is: is this art?

I know, I know. Art is art if the artist says it’s art, right? Don’t we get to decide about our own creations? Sure, but that doesn’t make it valuable.

A splash of pink paint decorates a parking block at a baseball field. I used an in-camera filter to make the pink even pinker.

And more significantly, does our art convey a message? Is the message worth conveying? Is it the truth?

Okay, this is getting complicated. A better question might be: do I like it?

I know it looks like I am on TV, but it's really just a reflection. This old console television was for sale at a garage sale. — I know it looks like I am on TV, but it’s really just a reflection. This old console television was for sale at a garage sale.

Another way many people gauge art is by it’s monetary value or popularity. I think of recent examples like the conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan’s banana taped to a wall with duct tape. The second in the series sold in November 2024 for $6.2 million.

That must have been a really delicious banana.

For what it’s worth, if you drop $6.2 million in my Venmo account, I’d be happy to duct tape a peach to the fence in the back yard for you.