Monte,

What you are referring to in what you have described does not define art in any significant way, what it is really about is a kind of politics, about manipulation, control and power, its about how to increase your value at the expense of others.

Thank you for that statement. You are right. I just wanted to hear it from someone else. It is truely not defined on the basis of merit. Instead on the standards set by others who need to control for whatever reasons.

Monte,

I am afraid it is not merit that is the criteria for getting into such circles of self-proclaimed artists than it is getting accepted as a member of a private country club.

The people who judge you determine what art is. Whether they be the public purchasing your work, or judges jurying a show. Of course you can also call yourself an artist.

It's about playing a game. You play a game to get past the jury. You play a game in creating something desirable to others. People who are better at playing can earn a living doing so.

The game is better played if you have a unique style, and/or a different subject matter than what others are doing. I think that's what you were referring to when you mentioned my name. Try thinking outside of the box....

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So what determines art in the photography world.

Shakespeare: said something to the effect the world is but a stage and we are but players on it! That was criticism of what you are describing, but a very long time ago, and apparently we have yet to rise above it.

I reject the idea anyone has the right or authority to judge others or to determine what they create is or is not art, and particularly the idea if it sells it attains some automatic status as art. If that's the case any insensitive slob with enough cash in their pockets can determine what art is, and all too often do.

No wonder the tourists who come to America are largely only attracted to its natural beauty and pay little or no attention to our major cities for their possible aesthetic attributes. TV is popular but it would be a far stretch to call it art.

Thanks guys, it all makes perfect sense.In our small town we struggle to preserve the town from econonic demise. We have a select few who beleve they control the future of our town. While in reality our town like many small midwest towns no lomger survive on our own because of malls and Super Walmarts. Small business made our town now we are left with the history but no longer have the money or means to fix the wonderful biuldings in our square that were built in the eighteen hundreds. So we try to set standards for things like art shows by a select few deciding who and who cannot qualify to be there. A friend of mine who is a artist trys very hard to join this community together by bringing all forms of art to the public interest, but is defeated and discouraged by small town politics. You are right, people do define what they like by what they buy. Thinking ouotside the box as Larrys said is the way to get ones attension. This year I was at the show and done well for the first time out. Last year I could not even get an application to fill out for the show. It had nothing to do with what I did. More to do with who I was in their eyes. Better yet who I wasn't.

Monte,

The story you tell of your community regarding a climate and atmosphere that does not support and reward individual creativity and artistry for its own sake fairly and equitably is not the result of economic decline and the effects of WalMart and imposition of corporate culture. You will find a parallel political atmosphere as much dominated by egoistic self interest, lust for power and money grubbing crassness even in the richest and most dynamic cities in this country when it comes to "art" and artists. This is something I have been close enough to for most of a long career in photography to know very well, well enough to learn early on that participation does not reward real talent and honest, dedicated interest.

If there is anything to blame it is "democracy". If you read the personal histories of those from the past that have contributed the most to what is art in our western civilizations, nearly all faced the same negative forces in society. Some faired better than others, like Picasso enjoyed great rewards and the freedom to exercise his talent for a long lifetime but was an exception, while Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gaugain suffered painfully. Where art flourished as did the artists from ancient Greece throughout the history of Europe to Napoleon and the Hapsburg empire, what now fills our art museums was largely produced under the auspices of autocratic rulers who were responsible for the creation of what we now recognize as the most beautiful of cities like Paris, Vienna, Venice and Florence.

The one thing different now is the internet, because the web is largely neutral and free from petty political manipulation that corrupts art. Many creative individuals whether with their own web sites or participating in the community of photo blogs have created a rich diversity of different individual visions unbound by convention, traditions, and petty politics of ego and avarice. If I were young and ambitious again I think I would be encouraged to make my mark in the digital arena in virtual space - but when I was young I was confronted with the politics of the art market as you described generally, and came to the conclusion it is futile and thankless unless you want to sacrifice your integrity and sell your soul.

Very profound statement here. I only hope many read what you have written here. In our communty a few of us donot follow the rules that few have laid down. By that I mean we choose who we buddy up to and who we don't. I am not recieved well by those who think you should be honered to follow them, I am recieved by my community of people who value my talent and purchase it for themselves. One Artist that is a friend of mine told me he would not sell his soul for anyone. If you do you lose all what is important. People will use you if you let them for their own purpose and make you think it serves the best interest for you. I just have to remember why I do this. It is for me.

Monte,

Hang in there and stick with what you have said. You are not alone, a few others will always follow an example they can trust and admire for their courage to be themselves.

Thank you for such words of wisdom. I believe everyone wants to do well with their work. But I know and have been reminded. Be careful who you get in bed with. Most of what goes on here is under the hat sort of speaking. Many are not even aware of it. I have been asked to get involved with groups who consist of these people. I declined to go there. It is easy to think they can help you but you must be aware of the wolf for he is sly. My friend refused to play their game and they even tried to turn his wife against him.I am not important enough for them to bother me too much.