Introduction
Nature is created by itself, while art is the creation of nature. Art knows no death, it is imperishable. As said by Longfellow that art is long and time is fleeting. The spices of nature are born only to die after a certain space of existence. Art continues indefinitely. Austin Dobson assessment of art is expressed in his saying that all passes. Art alone enduring stays to us. The bust outlasts the throne, the coin, Tiberius. Art is never demonstrative; it never catches attention with an exhibitionistic appeal. Obviously, a casual observer scarcely finds anything impressive, a thing of beauty, in it. (Goddard, 433-5).
Main body
On the other hand, the eye of a connoisseur never misses it. With his penetrating look and absorbing concern, he explores the innate charm of an object of art. According to the celebrated Latin poet Ovid, art lies in concealing art. If art is the magic of holding back time then artists are the magicians who captivate time in colors and canvases. As time passes by several take birth and perish, but some people with their achievements and contributions leave their footprints on the sands of time. These people remain immortal for ever in the pages of history. One among these legends is Jasper Johns. Jasper Johns was a well acknowledged as a deconstructive artist.
Flag by Jasper Johns, painted in 1955, has often been dubbed as an arbitrary composition of paint. However, it should be noted that the age of classical art forms are long discarded by artists from the days of impressionist art movements after the invention of photographic plates.
Therefore, it is obvious that the six principals of classical art could not be the evaluating criteria for any modern art form. Nevertheless, it should be considered that at present we have moved a long way from realism through the realm of post-modern era and at this point of time such comments cannot be appended or appreciated as structuralism is no longer considered as inseparable aspect of an art form. (Bell, 271-3)
The two basic or fundamental ingredients of an art work depends on the facts that how well an artwork was made, which is regarded as craft and the uniqueness of the artist’s vision and its message or meaning which is termed as communication. Defining art can be one of the most difficult yet enjoyable tasks that any person can ever undertake. There are so many factors to consider, and so many different methods of artistic thought.
Some say that art is an expression, but not everyone agrees that an expression is art. Nevertheless, really, is not art really all in the eye of the beholder? Who is to say that one train of thought it more important or correct than another does when regarding what art is. One person may think that a particular object or expression may be artistic, whilst another thinks that it is simply garbage.
Generally, the human race considers art as something that is pleasing to the eye or invokes certain emotions when viewed. In addition, what many artists consider art is something, which you can do, enjoy, and in the end, produce something that gives a feeling of success? There are many different ways to express you using the concept called art. The most common style of art, which most people think of when they think of art, is the painting. The painting is usually just some form of paint media, whether oil or watercolor or whichever style it is, and the paint is then placed on some form of canvas. (Border, 375)
Art is anything that anyone does which has a profound effect on somebody or something else. From a simple act of kindness to a masterpiece painting which took years out of somebody’s life? Some art can be considered more complex, and some art can be considered simpler in contrast. Nevertheless, the fact of the matter is, in the eye of the beholder, art could be anything. So is it possible for us to define what art is or can we really set any realistic guidelines as to what is art and what is not art? It is always possible to create guidelines, but it is often considered an art form in itself to break said guidelines.
What we can do, however, is centre ourselves on the aesthetics of art. Nevertheless, defining what is aesthetic and what is not can be quite an undertaking. Simply put, something that is aesthetically pleasing is something that appeals to the senses. For instance, flowers give a nice aesthetic sense of smell by offering their pleasant odors. A nicely painted picture can give off a nice aesthetic sight for somebody to enjoy. Often it is difficult to create something aesthetically pleasing, as there are many ways to easily offend peoples’ senses. (Dollard, 116-7)
Jasper Johns’ Flag presents the energy of the universe through abstract line formulation that may be termed as galactic in nature. The basic form of this painting could be ascertained as abstract impressionism and there is no denial to this classification because this painting satisfies the sub altar manifestation of de centralized imaginative functions. Therefore, in accordance to the grammatical representation of art this painting by Jasper Johns is certainly a work of art as opposed by many.
The second and most important point to be noted in this respect is the amount of energy that is reflected within the parameter of this canvas. To ascertain a piece of canvas to be judged as a work of art it is necessary to evoke a certain feeling within the viewers. There is no grammar involved in this part; no mathematics is needed; only the artistic sense is operational in this context from the part of the viewer. The interpretation may vary but the theme that evoked the interpretation of the viewer is all that is important to certify a painting as Art. In this context, too Jasper Johns’ Flag comes out with flying colors. (Dos, 47-48)
In this context, it would be relevant to mention that the ideology of deconstruction in the context of painting came into existence during the 1950s. This perception of painting was formulated by a number of painters and the basic ideology was based on the progression of art where basic issue was represented, as life should reflect the inner self of the human mind. However, it was believed that art has followed a linear progression to reach its current position where it started with 19th century artist and followed the path of Picasso and Dali. It is believed that this progression is not independent in any sense because art in the ultimate context has been following the traditional values of the society whether by following it or contradicting it. (Brundage, 145-7)
Another interesting proposition of this art is the man woman representation or manifestation and is no matter either structural or abstract in nature. This is because the basic philosophy intends to focus on the relationship rather than the outward expression. However, there are different approaches to this where one tries to incorporate every aspect in one gesture. Others believe this approach to be unstable and opt for a concentrated approach.
However, whatever the approach or format it is obvious that during the 1950’s it was realized that the importance of capital formation and the act of capital as an art connoisseur was extremely important. The liberalization created the pathway for modern art and spaced the way for experimentation, which is as important for artistic expression. Capital liberalization can thus be represented as equal important factor as the different forms of art like deconstruction but overemphasis of this capital cannot be a wholesome good for the long run. (Cunningham, 24-5)
Conclusion
In conclusion, it could be well stated that Jasper Johns was an excellent Painter, a skilled visualized artist and an illustrator, esteemed as one among the best neo-Dadaist of the twentieth century. He was well known for his profound geometric portrayal of urban life and territorial landscape of America. His career contains varying shades of diversity. Among all other painters of that era who tinted images of urban vicinity and urban life as the themes of their paintings sanguinely Jasper Johns was the most eloquent, say it destiny or politics he is also the most disregarded one. He was a legend in real sense, a name to be noted in golden words on the pages of history and his Flag lives on to mesmerize viewer of today. (Drake, 153-55)
Works Cited
Bell, L; Follow the Arts (New Haven and London: Yale University Press. 2006) pp 271-3.
Border, S; Strategies of the Ideologies: Games People Play (Bloemfontein: Remote Publishing Trust; 2004) pp 375.
Brundage, C; Art Canon Law (Melbourne: HBT Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 2000) pp 145-7.
Cunningham, S A; Introduction to Art (Hobart: DLTT Publications Ltd. 2005) pp 24-5.
Dos, M; Advent of Motivation (Dunedin: Alliances Publications; 2005) pp 47-48.
Dollard, John; Zenith and Zero Point of US History (New Haven and London: Yale University Press. 2004) pp 116-7.
Drake, S; Evaluation of Art Movements (Wellington: ABP Ltd. 2006) pp 153-55.
Goddard, J; Nation of Art: Making the Most Out of It (Christchurch: Howard & Price. 2006) pp 433-5.