Throughout history, the concept of art has posed many difficult and emotionally stressful questions. Art is created when an artist creates something that poses a question, makes the viewer think, sends a message, or triggers emotion. Whether or not everyone likes it does not determine whether or not something is art. People have different perspectives and different opinions. Simply because something is “pretty” does not necessarily mean it is art. Art can be found in unexpected places and sometimes a piece of art can be created out of some unexpected materials. Art is found in the eye of the beholder; someone making an effort to create something; something that people will remember; something that may draw out emotions.
Where there are creative, artistic, motivated minds, there lies ambition and a drive to create. Artists have become more daring, trying different materials to create sculptures made of metal, cotton balls, tires, and even doors. There are even some artists who might be unaware that they have created a form of art. A contest called “Stuck at Prom®”1, has opened the door to a new form of art. By entering this contest, the winners could win a scholarship for $3,000, plus turn a few heads in the process. The participants must enter the contest as a couple and must attend prom in their own fashionable creations made of 100% of Duct Tape. Because of this slightly odd contest, they have started creating various colors of Duck® Brand Duct Tape including green, red, aqua, camo green, camo brown, funky flamingo, navy blue, atomic yellow, blaze orange, and other colors which still could never put the classic silver to shame.
Teens must live in the United States, must be 14 or older, and must create a completely original idea with no help from a third party. "Each couple must attend a high school, or home school association, prom held in the spring of 2009”. The artistically creates dresses and suits made of Duct Tape might be considered a waste of time or a ridiculous attempt at seeking attention. However, these creations are original and are beautiful in their own way. Some of these outfits take over 45 rolls of Duct Tape, $120 to make, and months to complete. It would be ridiculous to not see these creations as works of art. The hard work alone that goes into creating these fashions, it is almost impossible to disregard the final outcome as junk. Though there is a difference between design and art, I find that this particular way of creating something new, is much more than a design.
Though people’s opinions may vary and though people may be unable to look at a piece of artwork in a different light, one thing remains the same. An artist longs to create, whether that be a beautiful portrait created of the finest charcoals or a sculpture of a horse made of corks and thumb tacks, is defined by the creator. Perhaps that is the most outstanding of the concept, itself. Simply because we might not “enjoy” an artwork does not mean it is not art. If a person happens to dislike the Mona Lisa, that would not be grounds to deem it as junk. Someone somewhere could see beauty and marvel in something that another man would call garbage. Picasso was an artist that drew much controversy as well, but that did not stop him from creating. Sometimes the most abstract of creations could speak the loudest in our hearts.
Many of the participants in the contest Stuck at Prom are influenced by the reward. These teenagers may hardly realize that they are artists, though they realize that what they are making may turn a head or two in their direction. They’re creating something beautiful; functional sculptures. Each one of these teenagers participating have put full use to their time and efforts, trying to make their prom night memorable, and alongside having fun, they have made an entirely original creation. These students deserve credit for their creativity and their art.
The true definition of art may boggle the mind of many people in the world, but one must remember that one person’s definition is not the same as another. The true reason for art is to express oneself, an idea, a place, an emotion, something. Art is a way of self-expression, and just because one person might dislike what is on display, does not taint another person’s view of it. It takes a lot to be an artist with the constant criticism of society. It is difficult for a person to even attempt to create, considering their fear of rejection. Sometimes, it may be wise to just accept something created by someone else regardless of whether or not it appeals to one individual, because something absolutely marvelous could be locked away in someone’s head but afraid of venturing out.
“All I know Is, if you don't figure out this something, you’ll just stay ordinary, and It doesn’t matter if its a work of art or a taco, or a pair of socks! Just create something... new, and there it is, and its you, out in the world, out side of you and you can look at it, or hear it, or read it, or feel it... and you know a little more about... you. A little bit more than anyone else does.. Does that make any sense at all?” (PS I Love You 2007)
