That’s the question that Rob Schwartz, Executive Creative Director of TBWA\Chiat\Day asks you.
Oh sure, by day he is the creative compass for one of the most iconic advertising agencies in the world. So he sees thousands of images, professionally,
But with this series of photographs, he asks you, the viewer, to comment on images that can either be considered Artistic or Fartistic.
( please note: to see the full set of photos, you MUST be a member of Facebook. Perhaps this is the reason to join. Like the photoinduced.com group on Facebook wasn’t enough!)

A tongue in cheek way to explore the concept of the mundane defining our art, or the sophisticated eye lifting the ordinary to a deeper understanding. Or perhaps a satirical view of life.

With the simple question, Rob has offered up 16 photos to view and comment on, and give your opinion. All contained on his Facebook Gallery.

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Artsy or Fartsy No. 15 by Rob Schwartz
“In France, dogs rule. Does this photo capture the phenomenon artistically? Or fartistically? You be the judge as you take part in this social experiment.”

What is important to us, is that an artist is asking the question that many people can’t ask themselves: Can you be honest about the value of the images you make? Is it truly art or just a sketch of a moment?

If art is in the eye of the beholder, do other people have to consider the photograph for validation?

It is an unvarnished, self examination, that goes to the root of every photographers images. It may make you look at your photographs a bit differently. And may change your saving habits.
Shooting digital these days has allowed us the freedom to shoot perhaps more than we would have in the past. Is a well composed shot a good exercise or a Cartier-Bresson decisive moment?
The law of averages may determine the answer.
It used to be, back in the film days, a photographer dozen was defined as : Shoot 36, print 12 keep one. If you’re lucky.
Different times, my friend, different times.

Plus it is a freaking, hysterical concept!

Check out the Gallery, Leave a comment, have some fun, and keep shooting ‘em up!

And the next time You press the shutter, think to yourself “Is this Artistic or Fartistic? ”
Hmmmmmm…….

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 29th, 2008 at 8:24 am and is filed under Photo News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.