What is Art?

Art as a tool of expression has always been a subject often dwelled upon by
artists and the general public alike. However, also dwelled upon by a fraction
of these same group is that the ‘expression’ meant in that sense of the work
should not be disputable or debatable. It is as though their works should be
treated like ‘god’s command’ or as a commandment that should in no
circumstances be questioned.

It is in utter dismay then for their works then boil down to nothing but
mere narration. Is a picture of a flower really just that? Could it be that the
same picture also inherits exploratory notions or concepts that may not be
as apparent? Could it be that the flower pictured also speaks of a lone soul
whose journey was peppered with much grief?

A mountain is a mountain. A mountain is not a mountain. A mountain is

a mountain. A zen philosophy taught to me by my lecturer back when I was
still a student. Till today however, the philosophy is something that I still hold
on dearly to and still ponder upon in search of a meaning towards. That one
zen philosophy along with the many others that he has taught me or I may
have picked up along the way.

Art can be looked upon as a tool that explores a certain subject. The
artist in turn may choose to express and propel the findings thru his craft. His
craft then of course might just lead to the intended audience thirsting for an
answer which in ultimatum should be found only by himself. Crafts are like
poetry. The poet is nothing more than a mere messenger whose thoughts are
penned and arranged on a piece of paper. The message in turn is intended
for the perceiver or receiver of this message who would ultimately decide
whether or not he likes the ‘message’. When then does poetry begin?
Simple. Poetry is the very act that connects the message to the receiver of
messages. The line which connects this two entities. That is poetry.

The same ideology can also be used for works like painting or dance
for example. The choreographer is nothing more than an arranger and
explorer of forms who may use these forms to convey a certain message to
an intended audience. The audience, being the receiver of the message,
then receives this message and reacts accordingly. Where then does the
essence of dance lie in? Simple, as reflected in the paragraph above, dance
lies when the tools of the choreographer(the dancers) react to a given space
and discover the potentiality of a given space to its full maximum while the
essence of art would lie in the line that connects the receiver of the message
to the craft played upon by the dancers.

It is sad when artists believe that their craft should never be disputed
or questioned for there would never be any magic in the work produced.
Where then has catharsis gone to? Isn’t the very essence of catharsis is to
evoke a certain sense or experience in a person? How then can anything
possibly be evoked when questioning is taboo. Then, questions do not
become a tool to understand or learn but is automatically perceived as a tool
used to provoke.

Is art really just a tool or message of aesthetic quality and stopping

just at that? Are works only considered to be deserving enough to be
recognised as art if it appears on stage or in a museum? Are the voices of
artists really that superior as compared to the voices of the people on the
streets that they should never be disputed upon? If so, it is in complete irony
then for even religions encourage disputes coming in the form of questions
for only then can it be understood.

Artists in actual fact do not fear audiences at all. It is audiences that

think that they fear. Cogito Ergo Sum. I think therefore I am. A timeless quote
from Descartes. Till today, what he says still remain to be relevant and true
but it is in utter dismal when we learn that amongst those who are able to
think, they actually fear others who think as well or people who think
otherwise. Yet, thinking is the very essence of ‘being’ and ‘being’ is the very
essence that would give soul to a work or person. No artwork is ever finished.
There is no such thing as a finished artwork for ‘finish’ just means that its the
end of the pieces’ life. As how Leonardo Da Vinci would have put it, “Finishing
an art is to rob it of its soul”. Isn’t discussions vital then in ensuring that the
work is not finished and can it not be used as a measure of the works’
success? After all, if people talk about it, it means that people notice and we
all know that when people notice, it means that our message has been
delivered. It is up to the receiver to comprehend the fact on whether or not it
should be perceived as art. The onus is on the receiver.

Artists should acknowledge the fact that their works would not only
affect themselves as a person but rather may also affect the social, political,
economical, cultural, traditional and racial climate of a person. Their works
stand as a personification of their thoughts and symbolise nothing more
other than being an amplification of a message.

Muhammad Jailani b. Abu Talib

7th November, 2007
kikirputra@gmail.com

** Writer is a Singapore-based artist. He has also been involved in an eclectic mix of

art forms, including dance, theatre, martial arts, lighting design, costume design,
graphic design, interior design and videography. His works has been staged in
Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. He is also a poet and art critique. His
literary works has been published in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. In 2007, he
was invited to give a seminar in Indonesian Arts Institute, Jogjakarta, Indonesia on
the issue of contemporary Malay dance in Singapore. In 2008 and 2009
respectively, the was invited to present his research papers on Contemporary Malay
Culture and Malay Magic at National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological
Institute, Singapore. He is currently the president of University of Malaya’s Malay
Language Society and Head of Corporate Communications and Image Development
in Singapore Writers’ Movement ’50.