Art, what is it good for.....

[Nearly Sane]

The thing about art is that as soon as it's about money, it isn't art but so much great art only exists because of money.



https://thebaffler.com/latest/state-of-the-art-world-duray

[floo]

I agree. I prefer to do my artwork for my own satisfaction, and hopefully to give others pleasure, rather than make any money out of it.

[SusanDoris]

I cannot say much on the subject of Art and its value or not, since I have never created anything original, let alone anything artistic, but I can talk about one very strong value for Art. This morning, as I have done for at least eight years I think, I went to one of the touch Tours at Southampton Art Gallery. An artistsculptor named Rebecca Aldridge had brought along quite a large number of her large and small sculptures. Not only was she very interesting to listen to, but those of us who were there were privileged to spend the time viewing, holding and touching her sculptures made of every different sort of card. Each piece had a querky aspect to it and a great deal of animated conversation went on during the time. Such experiences are quite out of the ordinary and I for one value them very highly indeed. I hope blind children and adults will continue to be able to benefit from such life-enhancing experiences during their lives.

[Udayana]

I cannot say much on the subject of Art and its value or not, since I have never created anything original, let alone anything artistic, but I can talk about one very strong value for Art. This morning, as I have done for at least eight years I think, I went to one of the touch Tours at Southampton Art Gallery. An artistsculptor named Rebecca Aldridge had brought along quite a large number of her large and small sculptures. ...

Sounds good. Are "touch tours" put on specifically for people with visual problems? 

[Anchorman]

Some of these exhibitions are put on specipically for VIP,but others are open access.
There was a specialexhibition of touch art at the mgnificent Kelvingrove art gallery in Glasgow early last year; sponsored by both Visibility Scotland and Glasgow city council.
Not only were there tactile exhibits from modern artists, but visually impaired people were given surgical gloves and allowed, with,in some cases, supervision, to hold and feel older - sometimes ancient artefacts.
All display boards were brailled, or in large rint and audio, and even a few items were in Moon - a script I thought all but dead, but apparently not.
A "Dark room" was set up - where all light was excluded, and sighted people allowed to experience certain sculptures for themselves using only tactile or olfactory senses.

[SusanDoris]

Sounds good. Are "touch tours" put on specifically for people with visual problems?

Yes and it is lucky that Southampton funds them. People who bring the blind and partially-sighted enjoy them too - as did my artist-ceramic sculptor next-door neighbour and friend the previous time.