if it's art to you then frankly it doesn't matter what other people think of it. well within reaosn anyhow. personally I like the photo.
Nathan,
An easier question would be, "Is it "Artistic", then the answer is without hesitation, yes! My full reply is somewhat long, so you can jump to the end, if you wish and skip what I think art might be!
Yes, we believe that if the work brings up feelings for the photographer and this is what he had worked for, then, indeed it's art and the rest of the world be damned! Now we have art that moves more than the artist her/himself. If it is powerful enough to attract strong interest such that others want to see it or own it, it now becomes art for the community. At this point an Arc of Communication has been completed as the new appreciators experience and react to the work. Final if people buy the work and others want to buy it from them it begins to assume value like coinage and is ART, or as in a prestigious art gallery or a recognized work in a museum.
1. Arc of intent is private to the artist where the artist has a concept with feelings, ideas and significance, even an outstanding pattern with just an unexplained impact and the artist works to produce that piece, modifying it as needed until satisfied. At that point, the work reinvokes the family of feelings ideas and/thoughts and significance that were the cause of the work in the onset. With that, an "Arc of Intent" is complete, art is born!Life is breathed into it. Now the photograph has engraved in it emotions/feelings/thoughts from the photographer's head that work and the photograph is now art.
2. The Arc of intent is completed in another person. Here the Arc communicates the Artist's feelings and ideas through the photograph, painting, music or sculpture when the audience reacts with feelings, thoughts and ideas about the work and finds it significant and worthy of revisiting and talking about. It may be sold to various individuals but is not sought by institutions and collectors.
3. The work serves a commercial purpose in documenting events (wedding or sports) or else selling product or ideas. This may or may not be art in the sense that it can reach level 4. A professional works at this level at least, each vertical market having it's own esthetic idiom.
3. Artist value of the work is powerful enough to draw in people for it's inherent esthetic value, (for example as a photograph outside of any other commercial function like wedding or stock photographs) and can be an engine for commerce:The work is valued to be sought after, shown, purchased and returned to.
The work of art becomes a so valued that people keep wanting to re-experience it, the work gains community value and eventually galleries, groups, large institutions and commerce promote presentation and or distribution of the work with the expectation that it will draw an audience and gains traction as work to be respected, cherished and or valued. Ultimately the photograph or other work assumes the value of something precious such as gold, silver and jewels and so becomes a commodity for storing wealth.
So when we ask is it art, we must assume that Brian already has enough satisfaction with the image of the boat he has made that part of his soul is embedded in it. He looks at it and smiles. Now the arc is completed and, for sure it is art. That is absolutely certain, IMHO. We cannot even encroach on that.
The next stage is up to the community. What do any of us feel about Brian's picture? Does it hold out attention enough to make us feel and to ask questions and have wonder? Do we want to look at it again or think about it? According to how much we do these things the work is art more or less, a sliding scale. The units of the scale are not in inches, cm or seconds; they are not even standard from one person to another since each of us are different by personality, culture and experience.
When Brian asks us,
"Is it worthy as art" how do we answer?
Who decides? We are now perhaps asking "Is it worthy of showing in a catalog or store or els exhibiting for people to appreciate?"
I now think the answer is going to be yes. I can see a market for this picture among boat lovers, people who have homes along the coast or who know something about the history of the Panama Canal and the massive project it was with peopledying of malaria and huge political, human and financial challenges. There may be traction beyond that. I like tbhe colrs and the feeling of the steamy jungle and frozen time. So I'd say, yes it's worthy as art!
A long answer but it was a difficult question which we always avoid answering!
Asher
