An autosystemic, yet very sensible definition of art (which could be
easily mistaken for being conservative although it isn't - since it even
the disruption of styles can only exist in relation to a history, and
historical consciousness, of styles):
"If art is not a means of self-fulfillment and expression, what is it
then? A kind of parascience, with a system of rules that is several
millennia old. Art builds upon the history of art and styles, on
preceding developments. That is the material to which everyone wanting
to do art has to relate to. It does not suffice to have an art school
degree, to be able to stretch up a canvas, somehow organize things
visually and think that this would amount to a work of art.
Nevertheless, an artwork may be greatly successful out of that
misunderstanding."
Translation of an interview
statement with the
contemporary art critic Marius Babias