An Art Enthusiast Passionist Definition

In an era where enthusiasts of all types, actively seek titles to help define themselves, do you think it is conceivable to rearrange old ideology, that surrounds art? I do. I would like to change the current art enthusiasts definition, and turn it into a New Age Passionist movement here in America. Especially because there are particular members of the art community, who end up representing the vast majority of art patrons, because they can afford to spend lots of cash at an art gallery. For instance, in the art world, an art enthusiast is most likely a collector, art broker, gallery owner, and art dealer. It is safe to further mention, that the average American art enthusiast usually has large amounts of discretionary income, at their disposal.

It is also worth noting, that if someone were to read a high society newspaper or magazine article from the late eighteenth century, one would agree that the overall autonomy of the eighteenth century definition of an art enthusiast, fits the twenty-first century's art enthusiast description perfectly. It appears that the definition's stranglehold, on the artistic community, has remained the proverbial constant. It is as if they are still warning artists, who attempt to seek out middle and lower class patrons, that selling their renderings to this crowd of people, is a worthless venue. Simply put, artist of this nature become outcasts of their artistic community, and their art deemed unworthy.

High society, art enthusiasts cast a rather black cloud on artistic merit. Many times an artist is over looked in America, because Americans like to stereo cast. The analyzing measure system in the art world, answers directly to those who have the deepest pockets. It is this very reason that so much in the art world is being lost. Artistic merit appears to no longer be awarded off artistic talent. Rather, it is awarded based off the critics and gallery houses, which have access to the highest bidders. No wonder funding for the arts has been drastically cut, and endowments are at an all time low. Time and time again, in gallery houses all over America, canvases adoring the most simplistic, straight, black-lines wins the convened spotlight, verses a richly detailed piece that captures a viewers imagination, swallowing up every fiber in their being and soul. Yes, realizing that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, however in the art world, the beholder with the deepest pocket book, proclaims the beauty for us all. As an art Passionist, I freely declare, "Enough already. Enough!" There is so much more to Art, than the ordinary, hierarchy definitions that have plagued the cultural embodiments, which have now in turned engulfed the art world of today. Therefore, I declared enough.

Art is passion. Passion comes from art. Since the beginning of time, art has defined the human race in general. It is a consuming influence that teaches people direction, it clothes us, shields us and determines under what discretion we might be inclined to express ourselves. When I look out a window and onto the horizon, I see art everywhere. I am definitely an art enthusiast, but not based off its current day definition, because I can not really afford to be one.

However, one only has to gaze upon the historical reference of Van Gogh, to know that he was one such artist, which broke the barriers between the enthusiast of the high society and the enthusiast of the lower middle class. Van Gogh never achieved, critical affirmation, until many years after his death. However for today's youth, Van Gogh has definitely brought out the Passionist, in college students across America. Adorning college dormitory walls across American, are prints of Van Gogh's masterpieces, pinned next to the latest Hooter's calendar or poster of the this years hottest female and male calendar models.

Art enthusiasts today have all but forgotten the little people that made Van Gogh, into the icon that he is today. Average everyday workers could buy his paintings for pennies on the dollar and they did. When the art world shunned him, there were patrons standing on the sidelines waiting, needing, and craving his artwork. It was the art patrons of the lower and middle class societies, which brought about Van Gogh's fame. Therefore, in middle class homes through out America, Van Gogh’s “coffee table” books are an iconic, decoration staple. With that said, once someone starts participating in the art world, is can be a mind-blowing experience. Subject, materials, dates, events, movements, and historical importance break down each dimensional element. One simply cannot say they are an “art enthusiast" without being hounded by art snobs asking who, what, when or why. Nevertheless, if someone were to say, "I consider myself to be an ‘artistic Passionist .” Really, what more could the art snobs say, other than thank you?

Religious Connotation:

It is time to put the old meaning surrounding the word Passionist behind us. If you are to Google search the word Passionist, ne discovers a whole realm of 18th century Christian ideas and notions. Basically, my Passionist recommendation definition, would change the meaning to another definition, having nothing to do with the religious world entirely.

Furthermore, by Googling the words "Art Passionist," and you will uncover an attempt to include "The Passion of Jesus Christ" as an art movement. I discovered one site that claimed to give an art Passionist definition, but it completely fell into the Christian aspect of being passionate. To me, one really has nothing to do with the other.

However, most religions would not have gotten very far in their movements, without some sort of artistic expression here and there. Michael Angelo and Leonardo De Vinci are two such artiste, that produced volumes of passionate art, for the Catholic Church. Therefore, one does not have to look very hard, to feel the passion inside them, when appearing on such masterpieces of artistic talent.