Art is a distinct entity.
It has its own characteristic, its own function, its own role to play in society. It must be afforded the status and identity it rightly deserves in a world that is becoming ever more needful of its existence.
A major obstacle, however, is that “Art” has become an increasingly catch-all term. It seems that almost any product of the modern world can shelter under it's umbrella. And thus, the word has become meaningless. There is little doubt that art is a powerful commodity of inestimable value. Yet that power is diluted and that value distorted by the inclusion of unnecessary elements into the field for which there is no justification. It is impossible to clearly define a term which has become so confused with unwarranted associations. Therefore, elucidation on the subject can be obtained by removing them. We need to distinguish what art is not, before we can begin to see what it is.
Many artists have been misled into focusing on specious goals. Many enthusiasts have been sold down the river by self-serving critics, overcomplicating the scene and completely missing the point. But you can know all that you need to know about art, and, inherently, you probably know more than you realise already. Clearing away the false information can serve to dissipate the mystique. Far from taking anything away, such an unveiling should ultimately enable us to love art all the more, whatever our engagement with it.
Intended primarily for artists of all colours and flavours, as well as art appreciators, this book aims to free up the thinking of the artist – or indeed anyone – by opening their eyes to many unexamined assumptions, and thereby questioning the validity of strongly-held views on the subject of art and the ways in which it is perceived. Eleven Things That Art is Not isolates these points of contention in a sometimes shocking, often counter-intuitive, yet thoroughly reasoned onslaught against conventional wisdoms, all in a quest to discover the true purpose of art. In hunting down this purpose, examples are drawn from wide-ranging artistic disciplines, and the reader is taken on a meandering journey through subjects as diverse as quantum physics, psychology, Zen Buddhism, philosophy, mathematics, and ancient civilisations.
“This is a new, fresh and compelling look at art which pulls the subject to pieces and puts it back together again, building to the crescendo of a new viewpoint emerging for the reader.”
(Lyssandra Hercus, artist)
“This book will help you to differentiate between real art and shallow philosophical ideas which pose as art and are often funded as art.”
(Charlie Hearnshaw, composer and jazz musician)
Comments:
A very well constructed book. Throughly enjoyed the debate. Recommend to the art lovers, not the opinion lovers. Read for yourself.
Thank you for a good book. Looking forward to your next one!
Wicked book!
Hi Marcus, what a great book! Wish you all the best.
It’s a great book. Wish could see more of this kind on the market.
This book made me think a lot. I guess that’s what a good book could do.
Finally some truth. Very refreshing and inspiring. I would recommend if you are looking for a genuine guidebook into the art.
This book is amazing! I wish I had known about it a couple of years ago.
To be honest, some of the Chapters were really deep. I felt like I was reading a paper at some point. But good though. Just never expected that. Not the kind of easy book you’ll read before going to bed. Had a lot to think about. Good in general, offered several fresh viewpoints on the subject. I’d recommend it. Had already to several of my friends.
Bloody marvelous!!
Really liked this book – showed it to my parents as well and they liked it too. My dad who is an inventor said that there are some remarkable ideas in this book. I guess great minds are in some way alike probably. Looking forward to your next book, and some more music. Thanks! Best Regards,
Hi, my friend had suggested me to read this book and I found eye-opening. I knew something wasn’t right before but I never thought it could be to this degree. Thank you for putting all the data together. It’s a great book I would recommend to every artist.
Hi Marcus! I’m on Chapter 2 of your book at the moment. Just want to tell you I’ve enjoyed reading it more than I thought I would. Thank you.
I like you are being real about things going on in this crazy world – especially at this moment. A great book indeed. Recommended!
Hello Marcus, I truly enjoy reading your book. It’s not often seeing this kind of book around. I’m glad I found one.
I like when you wrote “Real art ascends one to another plane; entertainment motions away from the spirit and allies one to the physical universe. One transcends the physical universe, the other pushes you further into it.” That’s precisely what I felt about art and entertainment, but I was unable to describe it so clearly, and you did. Thank you!
Hello Marcus!<br /> Your book is very refreshing and art-eye-opening for me. Thank you.
Chapter 5! Definitely chapter 5!
I like Chapter 7 especially – you made me laugh so much. That’s exactly what I wanted to say to some lost fame seekers.
Thank you for this great book, Marcus! It helped to get my head on straight in this field.
Hi Marcus, appreciate your sharing of the critical analysis. Great help in my assignments. Thanks!
Just received your book and started reading it. Just want to say your viewpoint is brilliant – Love your critiques!
Hello Marcus!<br /> Thanks for this wonderful book! It is such a relief for me to see someone else also sees what I see. Really appreciate your contribution. Wish you all the best and best selling of this masterpiece.
This is so far the best book I’ve read this year! It woke me up!
Great book! Recommended!
You have great voice ?
One of my favourite audio book! You really nailed it man.
Fascinating! What a great book! So much truth in it!
Wow~ you are so talented!