Is art a luxury?

Sculptor Tammy Vitale posted a provocative quote on her blog today, pointing out that "business is business, and, fundamentally, that corporate interest in the arts is self-interest."  The quote goes on to say that artists should determine "just how enlightened that self-interest is in order to evaluate the possibilities for entering the corporate marketplace..."  See the rest of Tammy's thoughts on this subject here.

Tammy raises the question: "Is art a luxury?" -- a question I wrestled with mightily when I was the director of Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) in Boston.  For every person who believes that "man [and woman] does not live by bread alone," there are others who believe that food, shelter and security must take precedence.  Even Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs implies that unless one has satisfied basic security needs, it is impossible to appreciate the more intangible qualities of life.  When seeking money for the VLA, I encountered many corporate funders who could not see their way to funding a program for artists when there were homeless people waiting to be served.

I, however, heartily disagree with that position.  Consider Victor Frankel, who in the midst of the most inhumane conditions of a concentration camp found the space within himself to experience the beauty of life and spirituality.  To me, art is an essential of life, and not a luxury.  In the midst of posting this blog, I was drawn into a conversation in the hallway of Hoopla with Robyn Einhorn, my assistant manager and curator, and a regular customer who was appreciating Geoff Ault's photography. 

We got to talking about why we collect the things we do, even when our tiny Capitol Hill homes don't give us room to display them.  Robyn collects teacups that she never drinks from.  Our customer has a collection of little people figurines that she inherited from an uncle who collected model trains.  I was talking about acquiring another of Geoff's photographs, even though I haven't yet found the wall space to hang the one he gave me last Fall as a housewarming gift. 

We all agreed on one thing, we collect art because it feeds our souls.  That should not be a luxury that only the well-to-do can afford.

Comments

[Denise]

Thanks for the thought-provoking post. Everyone needs art in their lives. I heard a piece on npr this morning about a certified music therapist or something who plays her harp for dying patients who are agitated and not responding to traditional medical palliatives. Her art helps people stop their struggle and pass on from this world. What a gift!

[Tammy Vitale]

Thanks for the link - and especially for the wonderful answer to my question. As an artist, I don't think art is a luxury because I live with art other than my own daily = now that I'm cleaning the house and the walls for a potential move to north county, and the art is put away, I can tell you that my work room feels very lonely without it. The good thing is that drives me to the studio where things aren't put away (and won't be - business, you know). Looking forward to hearing more from this blog!