Are you making art ?

Have you heard about cryptokitties? Cryptokitties is a game to buy, breed, collect and sell adorable kitties - but you have to use the cryptocurrency ether to buy them. Its a rage these days and is being hailed as the first mainstream crypto application.

Why are people buying these? Because they are fun, novel and they're are cute cats :) It is introducing crypto in a fun and entertaining way. Some people are thinking it as a way to experiment with crypto while others are in it to make a quick buck.

This got me thinking about what is the motivation behind we buy anything non-essential - i.e food, medicine and transport stuff and basic clothing. It is either of these - to play, to get entertained, to be informed, to be validated or to be satisfied - in other words to get high! Everyone wants to get high. Each person's way is different.

Cryptokitties are digital collectible i.e digital works of art. It got me thinking about whether there is any difference between digital art and physical art. And also about why is art useful. I think it is because it inspires us, lifts us  and gives us a story. It inspires us because of the genius and also the effort put in by the people who made it.

I used to think that taking a picture of a scenery is same as/better than an art but realized it is not so - art can exaggerate and show us the best. May be nature might get us the best if we wait enough.
But with art there are more ways of expression- not just what is available in reality.
Art is a way of expression and if what the artist expresses, if that story impresses us or connects with us it is valuable in that it provides a high by sparking emotion in us.

The principle of true art is not to portray, but to evoke - Jerzy Kozinski

So art is anything that impresses us, makes us emotional. It can be used to improve us or diminish us. 

It is up to the artist to make his/her art empowering. It causes connection between the artist and the user of the art. Art is valued because it is scarce, it is difficult to make something that connects.

So it is a hits based thing where something that connects will be valued a lot compared to others. 

The opposite of an art is a commodity. Similar to others, easily replaceable, not having a story to it and no connection. It is also the secret to great marketing -  tell great stories about things we are selling and bringing that connection with the users. Of course it has to inspire them, help them to get their things done. 

We each influence others who we come into contact with. Instead of being a commodity without any story, we can make art to inspire and to really connect with people and create something of lasting value! 

I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy. - Rabindranath Tagore