Art vs. Craft

[untonuggan]

I have always wondered about what seems to me to be an artificial distinction between art and craft. The societal narrative seems to go, "Serious artists make art, but crafts are for those homemakers who shop at Michael's every week." (Note: not that I think being a homemaker or shopping at Michael's are bad things.) Or perhaps it's because so many "crafts" (knitting, quilting, crochet, sewing, etc.) are traditionally done by women. Never mind that when you're done knitting a scarf, not only is it beautiful, it keeps you warm. It's wearable art.

I offer a brief example from a recent Washington Post review of Artomatic, a local unjuried art show.

"And Kristin Bohlander's use of sheep's wool - more sculptural than artsy-craftsy - is richly textural."

I love how the author throws in "artsy-craftsy" as though it's a bad thing. Of course, he also knocks Star Trek slash fan-art a few paragraphs later.

Does anyone else have this particular beef with knitting's typical designation as a craft? Is the word "craft" something that should be reclaimed in the way that "queer" is being reclaimed by the LGBTQ community? What is the line between art and craft?

Comments

[indeliblesasha]

Do not forget that "(arts &) crafts" are also the remarkably ugly noodle painted ashtray picture frame paintings that kindergartners bring home for their parents to love and adore and keep forever and attempt embarrass you with the first time you bring your (beautifully artistic) husband home for Christmas.

And "crafts" are also one of a kind amazingly horrific paisley printed lace festooned glitter painted glue gun and cardboard photo album nightmares that your great-grandmother created in her "craft room" JUST FOR YOU.

I for one, do. not. make. crafts. And it has absolutely nothing to do with sexism, or artistic merit, or values of craftsmanship. If my family were to ever declare anything I do as "crafts" or "crafty" I might actually CRY. :D

(ETA: Which is not to say that I don't love and adore the lace festooned wonders. I do, because they were made with so much love. But they are SO UGLY OMG. :D )

But then I also do not and have not ever thought of my knitting and sewing and woodwork in terms of art or crafts. It's for function and it's fun and if it's pretty at the same time that's even better.

But if someone says to me "lets do crafts!" I'm picturing glitter and hot glue guns, which are totally fun! But do not invoke a great sense of "art" in me. And I don't even put knitting on the list of things to do when you're "doing crafts."

If someone says "I do woodworking" I do not think of their work as "crafts" even though I will think of their skill in terms of "craftsmanship."

If someone says "I'm a craftsman" I go straight to "What do you make?" and would not be surprised to hear knitted items, or wood crafted items, or I dunno...shoes? Jewelry, what have you.

I think it's just yet another word in the English language that is SO laden with different meaning and intention and history that it's not necessarily the best option to use in a lot of cases.