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Art ≠ Artifact
Art is not the artifact. Art happens in the making of something. Making is in the creative act, not the artifact.
Artworks are what’s left over after the art of creation withdraws.
English lets us condense the word “artwork” or the phrase “work of art” into the single syllable, “art.” But the whole phrase or compound word reveals its true nature.
Do not to confuse the success of the artifact with the art that happens in the making.
This is not to diminish the value of the artifact at all. But its value has nothing to do with the artist and her creative act. Artworks can interact with viewers in a way that triggers a new creative engagement. That act of creativity happens in the viewer and is catalyzed by the artwork.
Think of artworks as the residue of the creative act that becomes a catalyst for more creativity.
