Art?

 At the local hot rod show a few weeks ago, we came across this signpost. Yes, it is gum. All of it. The black stuff, the stuff that looks like rubber bands, the blue, the pink, the white, all gum. A good four feet of it. My initial reaction was complete revulsion. And then I really looked.

I was oddly fascinated.

Many years ago, I went with J and some close friends to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. It was in its temporary space in Brooklyn at the time. We had a great visit, but the question of "What is art?" came up (as it should, when looking at modern art). My friend, who is much more versed in art and art history than I, said she thinks art requires some kind of proficiency and technique. She pointed to the piece of art we were examining - basically a two-toned canvas. I think it was probably red and white. Half the canvas red, half white. My friend said to look where the two colors met, the line between the two was completely straight and a clear division of red and white. It is hard to paint a straight line, let alone, have those two colors abut in so perfect a way.

However, it made me think of house painters. They get pretty straight lines. Does that make them artists? I know that is not what my friend was saying, but it was easy for me to extrapolate to the nth degree. And why not? If a house painter paints with skill, care and pride, doesn't it make it art?

Personally, I don't have any answers about what art is. I love the question, though. I love rolling it around in my mind, just for fun. It is one of those things my brain just likes to chew on. I like having possibilities rather than an answer. A couple of years ago, my perspective was broadened when I was introduced to the world of industrial art (thanks Scott). So much time and attention goes into so many items we take for granted every day - chairs, toothbrushes, can openers, wallets...and the focus changes depends on the artist. For some, it is comfort. For others, aesthetic and functionality. I believe that you can be an artist designing things like chairs or computer frames. I personally like art that takes me out of the mundane, makes me take a second look and think. I also think art that has multiple contributors is fascinating.

So I have to say, when I came across this...this...ode to gum, I had the odd feeling that I was looking at a piece of art. Each person who had chosen to put his or her gum there had chosen a spot carefully. It did have a kind of aesthetic to it. The black gum underneath showed that this was a work years in the making. It has a kind of fluidity to it because there are obviously pieces that have fallen off and new pieces are being added all the time. There was gum still fresh with saliva mingling with blackened tar that would not even be recognized except for its context. It certainly made me stop and think.

Actually I thought it was a fair tribute to Seaside as a tourist destination filled with people who come to ride surreys, eat snow cones, go to the arcade. There is of course more to the town. The beach is beautiful, the people are friendly, there is a sense of community... but this particular monument did not reflect that aspect of Seaside's legacy. This represented Seaside in the summer when people come from all over to have a good time and often ignore the fact that people actually live there. The town becomes sticky, gooey, and kind of sad by the end of the summer. And there it was, all on a pole, for all to see. And contribute. If I had been chewing gum, I would have added my artistic flair.