Zenmonkey

The place to pose this question would be to a respected gallery that represents fine art photographers.

russraman Loc: New York City

I think that's the same way people identity pornography.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

The viewer.

Don

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Yet they really sound like negative criticisms.
And the idea that because a photo is of Lionel Messi is fine art because it’s home is ridiculous.

scallihan Loc: Tigard, OR

I've always wondered what makes good art "good". I see what I consider to be horrible art (colors not complementary, no balance, not even very imaginative) shown in galleries with high prices.

Then there's public art. So often it seems that the people who are approving public art pieces are looking at it and thinking, "Well, it's ugly as hell, so it must be good".

In 2011, Milwaukie, OR wanted a large sculpture to grace a new light rail station. Most of the public who commented absolutely HATED it. The sculptor eventually withdrew it, claiming it just wasn't feasible as it was so large (Thank God he didn't just scale it down). https://djcoregon.com/news/2011/11/10/lets-save-the-giant-baby-faced-deer-statue/

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I sometimes hear music I don’t care for. I will listen a few time and sometimes I start to like it more. If after a few times I don’t like it then I don’t listen anymore.

I know people who only listen to what they like. Some of them stay frozen in time, like the Amish, “only listening to 70’s” for example. That is their choice of course. But there are other choices.

Same with the other arts.

And art is about emotion and surprise, contempt, disgust are after all, emotions.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

Sometime its the purpose for which the object was created. An artist and a craftsperson, both potters, are working side by side at their wheels and each create two ceramic pots with lids. The artist says "I have an idea, I'll sign one of your pots and you sign one of mine. I'll take your pot I signed and put it up for sale with the one I made. And you do the same, you take the pot I made that you signed and put it up for sale with the one you made. Assuming that the pots were all of the similarly high quality construction and design and all would look good in the display case or would work good for cooking beans in the oven. How would you distinguish art from craft in a situation like that. The same pot that was made as an object d'art, if you will, would be worth more than if it were sold as a bean pot.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

By the signature.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

It seems that you are contending that the craftsman piece signed by the artist would be art while the artist piece signed by the craftsman would merely be considered craft. If art or craft both are excellent examples of their creators efforts, shouldn't their work stand on its own two feet without being identified? Full disclosure here. When I buy a piece whether from a craftsperson, a fine artist or aunt Maude, I want a signature on it.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Yes.
In a perfect world that would be true. We live in the human world however, where perceptions and emotions matter.
That is a good idea! And am very pleased to know sir that you buy and appreciate art. 👍

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

It sounds like that at least on this matter, we are pretty much in agreement.

BobSchwabk Loc: Roanoke Virginia area

When I interviewed Clyde Butcher for "photo Technique" magazine, we were chatting when we finished. I posed this same question - his response was "(fine) art comes from the heart".
I still think this is a valid response . . .

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

It came from a camera more expensive than any of yours.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Marshall Pottery is a well-known pottery manufacturer in East Texas. Nowadays they only make and wholesale terra cotta flower pots, but years ago they operated a thriving on-site retail business, with both artisans and craftsmen making all kinds of items on site for sale in the store. One of the big draws was the pottery wheel demonstration booth, where all sorts of things were made in full view, including butter churns of all sizes, heavy pitchers of all sizes, and any number of other items. My favorite were the pitchers, and I still have several of them ranging from a half pint to half a gallon. They are fired with two cobalt blue stripes as the trade marking that indicates their origin.

Making the pitchers and churns was pure craft, involving lots of skill but essentially no art. The idea was that they all have the proper shape, proportions, and capacity, that the stripes were located correctly, and that they were serviceable and durable. There were artists would hand decorate a few of the items, but they did their work in another part of the building.

The pottery operation was under the direction of Master Potter Pete Payne. He signed each piece that he made on the bottom. All of the pitchers that I have bear his signature. His pitchers sold for the same price as all the others, despite his having been recognized in National Geographic and several other publications. But he was still a craftsman. And he would tell you that his pitchers were craft, not art. They were made to be used, not displayed.

None of this changes the facts that many people at the time knew exactly who Pete was. Many sought his pottery. It was craft, not art.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

When you sit alone, meditate on your faults...
In conversation, do not discuss the faults of others...
.
To bear titles arrogantly, will bring disaster...
When good service has led to fame, it is time to retire into obscurity...

...the Tao