Art Vs Crafts – A debate with a new twist

Many say that “craft” is a technical, static, possibly a repeated pattern of steps to achieve a result. Let’s select some examples and see what you think.

A leather worker takes repeated, learned steps to build and complete a saddle. During this process, he must apply his leather tooling craft skills to print the chair. In his mind, he created a layout probably using a default styling method for his tools. With this done, he has completed a saddle that has been “crafted” by hand.

What about the separate leather tooling on the bottom of the saddle? It was designed, drawn and implemented by this craftsman using the imagination and skills acquired from him. Ultimately, he has created a work of “art”. Are you a craftsman or an artist? Could it be both?

If some describe the craft as a technique that has been applied for centuries, then by all rights the furrier should be classified as a craftsman, correct? But if “art” is a personal creative expression, what classification do we give to its leather tools? It can’t be both, right?

Let’s throw a wrench for fun. Suppose this saddle were the most beautiful and magnificent saddle that anyone has ever seen. It is put up for sale in a gallery and bought by someone who knows nothing about horses or saddles and does not want to know. It was supposedly purchased as “art” to be displayed among his collection. The following week, the owner of the saddle invites his friends over for cocktails and shows them his new acquisition. When friends see the saddle, one says “…wow, you really have to appreciate that craft.” Another says, “Now that’s what I call a true work of art.” Another says “…what the hell are you going to do with that?”

The skill of repairing jewelry is a trade. If a jeweler starts designing jewelry and applies centuries-old techniques to his trades to achieve an outstanding and remarkable design or style, is it still a trade or has the jeweler become an artist because the jeweler brought thought, expression and emotion to it? to the piece while creating? he?

A monkey splashes various colors of paint on a canvas. The monkey has a great seller who takes this work to a gallery. It sells for thousands of dollars because it is presented as “art”. Come on, is this considered intention, emotion, or expression or is he the best salesman you’ve ever met? Please… don’t get me started on the monkey and its possible emotions.

If someone can sell what they produce or “make”, does that make them an artist? Maybe.

The word “art” has a little more credibility than “craft”. We’ve all seen it while attending “craft shows” vs. “art” shows. It seems the “art” shows serve wine and cheese and demand higher priced items. Craft shows are where grandma sells the crochet toilet paper roll covers, you know the one with half a Barbie doll on top of it? Or, where you see all those wood craft signs that say something cute and cheesy on them. You won’t find any of those in an “Art” show.

So where does the word “artisan” come into this equation? According to the

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines a “craftsman” as:

1: a worker who practices a trade or craft: craftsman

2: one who produces something (such as cheese or wine) in limited quantities, often using traditional methods

Ah oh, wine and cheese? It seems that this belongs to the category of “art”.

According to Wikipedia;

A craftsman, also called a craftsman, is a skilled manual worker who uses tools and machinery in a particular trade.

I guess assembly line workers can be called “craftsmen”? Let’s not forget the “artisan” bread. Is making bread a trade or an art? As much as I like it, I would say that baking bread is an “art”.

Millicrogers describe a craftsman as; “a person skilled in an art or trade”. This one I like, no bias shown here.

What is my goal of this article? It is done in the hope that people will start to think differently. A craft perhaps an expression of art. Being an artist is a job. You must have the ability to create something to be an artist. The old cliché “Art is in the eye of the beholder” still holds true. Whether you love crafts or are an artist, you are here to communicate your skills and hopefully someone will appreciate your creations.