Five Laws of Art Making
an update to thinking of art
I spent most of my working career as a reference and solo librarian. There are some principles and characteristics necessary to guide the librarian. One such set of principles was created by S.R. Ranganathan in 1931. This set of principles is called, by some, the five laws of library science. They summarize the principles of operating a professionally run library system. Many librarians worldwide accept the laws as the foundations of their philosophy. (Wikipedia)
In briehese quasi-laws are simple yet robust. Over time, I realized the five library laws relate to making and sharing art, music, literature, etc.
A minor detail to these proposed "laws" or "principles." Laws don't work in an artistic sense. The idea of any laws out onto artists tends to be received with "challenge accepted" vibes. Let me explain what I'm thinking for now.
Art is to be experienced. When an artwork is produced, its first glimmer of life is to be experienced. It is saddened by being shunted away in storage or otherwise lost to the ages. Yes, this is a somewhat anthropomorphized view of a creation, but hang with me for a second. The creation deserves to be experienced, period. The refrigerator door counts.
Every person has their artwork. Every artwork isn't made for everyone, but there is an artwork that resonates with every person. You might think that you are unique, and you are! And you have a right to like what you like and be moved by what moves you.
Every artwork has its person. My preferred artwork may not be your artwork, and no matter how much the art history teacher tells us, “This masterpiece…" it may not have any impact on us. But that one out of the spotlight—that one may have been meant especially for us.
Save the time of the experiencer. Most often, this may be attributed to the professional illustrator, who conveys concepts as efficiently as is relevant. For example, the FedEx logo is well known for having a hidden arrow that reinforces the idea of going somewhere.
Similarly, super complex or minimalist artworks convey ideas as well. It's been said that a picture contains a thousand words. How efficiently can these ideas be shared at a glance, or can more depth be conveyed with more time? It's up to the user. The Sistine Chapel's ceiling is big enough to hold a big idea and no bigger.
A gallery is a growing organism. Many artists and gallerists are increasingly concerned with access to their work. While every creator is due to monetarily benefit from their work, sometimes that's not the priority. Where are all the surprising and not-so-surprising places and settings where you can experience art, music, literature, and more? Coffee shops, corners in a business, street-view pop-ups, woodlots, parks, beaches, and libraries are a few examples.
Today, galleries will meet their audiences and push expectations. The gallery is often more than a container, providing context for the created work. A comedy club is less likely to show old masterpieces, but working with a similar vibe is fun, and you might experience it there. All designs can be considered art, so that chair, platform, or dining experience likely has been created specifically for your enjoyment or ability to consume. Bask in it, YOLO.
This list will help the developing or experimenting artist realize their work is meant for someone because it came from someone. That other person may take a while to find it; they need the right mindset to connect. But with patience, this connection will happen. Also, for the unique person, their soulmate in art is out there. It may currently be a seed of an idea in the mind of the author/composer, but when it is planted and grows, it will be as if it was made for you.
Thus, this work of art, music, literature, fashion, or whispers will have been given life—a life that deepens with time—time as given by the audience and time as given by history. It will share itself as efficiently as it can and no more. It doesn't need to hold itself back. It need only be. It is enough, mirroring that its audience, likewise, is enough.
What do you think? Did this need saying? Does any part of it resonate with you? Does any part of this help you connect to your work, the work of another living being, and/or those works yet to be born? Let me know by adding a comment below.
Thanks for reading.
