from the notebooks of craig swanson
I originally intended to take this opportunity to rail against folk art. I don’t like folk art much, so I was going to talk about how it is art by people who can’t draw. I was going to talk about how folk art is quaint, which the American Heritage Dictionary defines as “charmingly curious, esp. in an old-fashioned way.” And I was going to talk about how I hate all things charmingly curious, and am not particulary fond of old-fashioned ways either.
But things don’t always go according plan. After visiting Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts exhibit on folk art and researching a bit about it, I found myself reexamining its value. The Encyclopaedia Britannica says that while folk art has been defined as all things homemade, or art produced by the non-elite or common people, or traditional art which “preserves a cultural heritage,” it must be acknowledged that it is the product of the non-ruling class. It is the art of those who don’t have the power; somewhat tautologically, the people’s art. It goes on to say that folk art can only exist in isolation, and that 20th century industries and communications have been very rough on folk art, since it is making it harder and harder for a people to remain isolated.
All of this brings to me a new, intellectual appreciation for folk art - although I still don’t find it aesthetically pleasing. I guess if I don’t think of it as art, it’s not so bad. It’s kind of like fast food burgers. If I don’t compare them to homemade, grill-cooked hamburgers, they’re not so bad. In moderation.
Still, what to write about folk art.
Cori suggests that I write about bad restaurant art. Jay says folk art’s value is that it is not for the masses, but typically constructed as a gift or token to a specific loved one. Miriam thinks they make great jigsaw puzzles, and John suggested greeting cards.
“Cally, what do I write about folk art?”
“I don’t know. My favorite piece of folk art is the Ukrainian flag.”
“Huh?”
“Blue over yellow. Sky over vast fields of grain. Must be the simplest instance of representational art ever made.”
I’m stumped. I think I’ll just skip the essay this week and let the cartoon stand on its own.
- September 2001
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