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Art is Art

Every work of art is an extension of the artists' imagination. In the visual arts it is time to recognize excellence in all mediums and styles. Animation, illustration, and areas such as graphic design are treated as orphan children in the elitist world of fine art. Are the exclusive world of fine art and its derision providing a true representation of the talent and works of these modern visual artists? Absolutely not! It is time for these "new" artists to be recognized as visionaries who embrace the original methods of artistry as well as the creative freedom supplied by new technologies.

It is time to end the debate between "fine art" versus "commercial art" or "high art" versus "low." Today's visual art culture is not a threat to fine art's supposed privileged position; instead it supplements the familiar and the renowned. Inspired animator and innovator Walt Disney once said, "We have created characters and animated them in the dimension of depth, revealing through them to our perturbed world that the things we have in common far outnumber and outweigh those that divide us."

Traditionally the term "fine art" has been applied to a limited number of art forms, such as painting, sculpture, poetry, and music. These "fine" or "high" arts, such as the paintings of Picasso, Monet, and Degas, or the music of Beethoven and Chopin are beautiful creations and deserve to be richly recognized. These examples of perfection have facilitated the quality of originality and imagination sincere artists seek. The issue of modern visual arts versus fine arts is not battled over a disregard for art history and the spectacular artworks that have been created over time; instead, it is a struggle by modern visual artists for recognition and appreciation. This is not a combat for supremacy; it is an endeavor for equality.

The pronouncement that fine art is created strictly for its aestheticism and is to be judged upon its theories of art is an elitist viewpoint. This belief places "fine" art at the top of the art fields. Who and what truly makes this designation remains somewhat of a mystery, although may include specific art critics, historians, or even art gallery owners. The fine art ideology takes select artists and places them apart in special places of authority reserved only for the privileged. This supposed lofty idea and assumption that "fine" art is of more consequence than areas such as illustration, animation, and design are misleading.

Illustrators, animators,

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