Vague boundaries between Art & Life

As Sally mentioned, these readings perhaps raise more questions than provide answers. Ah, but isn’t that the roll of art? Or, I’d prefer to say one of the many possible rolls or art. And not to sound to trite, the topic of what makes these works “art” was constantly on my mind. It’s not my questioning weather these works are art, but it’s more the curiosity of the vague boundary that exists, and what is crossed to put these in the art realm.

Kaprow stresses the need in a Happening to avoid a “group of inactive People” or “dead space”, to avoid the suggestion of a theatre production. He argues the importance of willing participants to have the knowledge of the scheme. Yet, Carnevale work crosses that barrier by forcing spectators in to being participants in what could be a dangers and violent situation? At one point does something that could be described as a crime of imprisonment on one hand, then transition into an artistic expression?

At what point does Beuy’s soap box lectures and discussions on Democracy transcend from political commentary to an artistic presentation. Of course his answer to that question to the girl at 3:00pm was “A special type of art. One can think with.” Is it because it is held in a Gallery presentation? And then Group Material puts together a “forum” on Democracy with round table Discussions, Exhibition, Town Meeting, and the all important Book for Documentation. If this “forum” were held at a City Hall or convention center instead of the at the Dia Arts Foundation, how would that change effect it’s meaning and interpretation?

And while were at, let’s all “get down and party”. That sounds good to me, and as Adrian Piper points out with her series of Funk Lesson “participatory social events”, “everyone participates in a collectively shared, enjoyable experience. Good enough, I’ve taken some dance lessons in a group setting; Ball room, Swing, Salsa, and that quote would explains the same experience. But, Is a Dance/Music appreciation class taught by an “artist” more art than one taught by a dancer?

Again, I’m not questioning these artists and practices as not being art, I’m just pondering the subtle and complex unseen boundary between art and life.