My previous blog post detailed the responses I got from my students when I asked them why they believed sports was more compelling than either creating or viewing art. It was an interesting conversation, but I cannot say that their comments surprised me.

I originally was going to reflect upon each of the responses, but so many of them are rather straightforward that I thought I would give that a pass and focus on their perspectives on art. Over the next few posts, I’ll handle them one or two at a time. As always, your feedback is appreciated.

Art Is Just Plain Boring

At the heart of this statement is the false notion that art should be easy. This misperception comes from my students’ background where they have never persistently been challenged to think otherwise. Consider that most have not been to a museum (except for the Franklin Institute or The National Great Blacks in Wax) or looked at artwork other than manga, Family Guy or the shows like those on Cartoon Network. So, of course, my class should be easy because its value to them is little-to-nonexistent. They don’t know what possibilities are out there in the way of careers in the arts or even the joy of a life-long hobby that could be theirs if they were to practice developing a few skills.

In addition, our culture is focused on pop culture, not high culture. That’s where the money is: sports events/figures, celebrities and R&B. Much of the fascination with pop culture rests with our seemingly collective love of being entertained (which requires little or no thinking). Why go through the drudgery of trying to create a painting (composition, color balance, verisimilitude, etc.) when you can sit in front of the TV with no concerns except when your body tells you it’s time to snack, pee or poop.

Lastly, the art world itself has alienated kids (and many adults) to what is out there because, let’s face it, much of the contemporary art scene remains arcane or just plain weird—Duchamp’s readymades, anyone?

There is more to the whole “art is boring” concept, but I’ll leave it at these few. (Please feel free to put forth your own via comment.) But suffice it to say, art educators face a tough upstream battle convincing today’s postmodern-bred youth in seeing art as other than boring.