Art versus Craft

[CanadianScroller]

This topic comes up on forums all the time, several times on this one.

I was looking for answers so I turned to the web....it is all true out there isn't it?

I did find some interesting reading http://www.denisdutton.com/rnz_craft.htm

http://atlas.hs-niederrhein.de/fb02/.../vtash01a.html

So a professional painter can paint a house with paints and brushes, wielding them like a Van Gogh. He is a master at his craft, yet not quite an artist.
A piece of art can be mass produced with printing presses, but then it isn't art anymore is it?

I guess we all want to know this in the "Scrolling World"
Here I would say the craft is the art of creating art.
The art is the finished piece crafted by our craft.

I need a nap

Oh I am more confused than when I started.

[Old Mooner]

I think the files are full of discussions of this topic. Seems there was a thread not too awful long ago concerning "art" and "craft". A long time ago when I first went to college I "majored" in "art". There was no degree in "crafts", so I got a BA in "Fine Arts". As opposed to what other kind of "arts" I don't know. Over the years I have come to the decision that the difference between "artists" and "crafters" (politically correct enough?) is like the difference between a "Violin" and a "Fiddle." When that musical instrument plays "classical" music it is a "Violin" (there are no Fiddles in an orchestra). When it is used to play "Bluegrass" or Turkey in the Straw, it is a "Fiddle".
Moon

[Gill]

Hi Carl

If the client wants a piece of artwork, then the client gets artwork. If the client wants a bit of proper craftsmanship, then the client gets a bit of proper craftsmanship.

I'll still cut the same project, irrespective .

Gill

[Grizz]

I thought I heard something 'snap' up north. Now I know what it was...

[SharonW0111]

HUMMMMMMM ------ I have come to this conclusion --- Thinking will get you one heck of a headache--passing Carl the BIG BIG bottle of asprin--
But I did come up with a answer that seems fitting for me - but not nessarally for everyone-
If it is a bird house or bird feeder or something in that manner ( maybe a jig I make for helping me do my work easier-- it is a craft - why? because anyone can do it = BUT
If it is on of my scenic pieces or a portrate or even a victorian style piece of furniture then it is a art --Why? Because not everyone can do this and like a fine painting in oil- each scroller has his own style and each piece is destintive to him/her.
Just my 2 1/2 cents worth..

[Neal Moore]

Art vs Craft

WOW Carl!!! I read that link and I gotta tell ya.....that guy used a lot of words and clarified nothing. I suppose, simply put, that art is in the eye of the bee holder (little pun there). A beautiful vase is crafted by someone and the end product may be used to hold flowers. Some folks see a vase...others see a work of art. I'm with Gill on this one. If someone sees my work as being art, I'm flattered. If someone else sees the same piece as a good job of scrolling, I'm flattered. Either way they're buying what they see for what they see in it. Never considered myself as an artist....just a pretty good cutter!!!

[Old Mooner]

Jeez Neal! "A pretty good cutter" is a bit too humble don't ya think? A heck of a lot more goes into your projects than cutting wood. I think what comes into play here is "creativeness". Here's where I get into trouble again--a "craftsman" (person) is a talented/skilled person who can do a good job building, putting together, constructing, or copying just about anything from a plan given to him/her by another person. A good carpenter or mason is a craftsman. An "artist" adds their own touch/interpretation and does not always follow the plan. They can, if you will, ad lib, and the result is basically their own. I realize this discussion is endless, but that is OK.
Moon

[Neal Moore]

I appreciate your kind words Moon....Thanks. I sometimes wish I had never started segmentation. There's so much more that can be done with the scroll saw but I seldom do anything else. When I start a fretwork project or a pierced portrait I feel like I have to hurry up and get it done so I can get back to what I really love to do. Maybe it's the "surprise" factor. I never know how one of my patterns will turn out until it's cut, stained and glued up. I have an idea of what it should look like, but I never know for sure 'till it's done.

[Woodbutcher68]

I was once told by a show promoter that my work is more fine art than craft. I was approached by the Northern Indiana Arts Association and asked to put some items in their store which I did. (Got a $50.00 check yesterday for a bottle stopper and slimline pen and pencil after their commission!)
All I know is that I enjoy scrolling and turning. I don't care if it's arts or crafts, but I think that calling it art gets a better price!