The Spark

This episode takes a look at that elusive idea of defining what art
is.  Where does that spark of creativity come from?  What
drives human beings to take an idea from our mind and create
something in the physical world?  As a starting point for this
conversation we take a look back throughout history to see what
people far smarter than all of us have to say about art and the
role of art within human society.

At a very basic level, any art (both good and bad) is just the
product of a human being expressing something that first occurred
in the mind.  In fact,  the majority of art is never put
on display in a gallery.  The society in which we live defines
the value of art for us and determines what is displayed in a
gallery.  However, maybe the 'value' of art should be a
personal definition.

We then hear from a working artist on the dilemma between making a
living from art, but also being able to artistically develop and
explore with that fear in the back of your mind that 'no one will
buy this'.  How exactly does tying commerce (capitalism) to
art affect the art?  And, on the other end of that question,
how does it affect the definition of art in the mind of the
consumer of that art?

In previous generations, art was produced and boundaries were
pushed due to a societal circumstance that we no longer experience
- boredom.  When we have the ability to entertain ourselves
24/7, we are never bored.  Without the presence of boredom, we
are never forced to entertain ourselves.  To create something
from nothing.  There is current scientific data that shows
human creativity is on the decline (specifically in the USA) due to
our lack of being bored.  The good news is that the solution
is simple and fun.  We all just have to play and explore a lot
more. Rhyme intended. [Click to Listen]

Song Credits:
Land of 7 Billion Dances - The Coup
Come and Check Your Head - Blue King Brown
All's Fair in Love and Dubstep - Skrillix
Vitamin C - Can
All That You Paid For - Falling Sickness
Boredom - S.T.U.N.
Brand New Colony - The Postal Service
On the Corner - Miles Davis
$o$ - Die Antwoord
Only Getting Younger - Elliphant