-
Ever wanted an RSS feed of all your favorite gaming news sites? Go check out our new Gaming Headlines feed! Read more about it here.
-
We have made minor adjustments to how the search bar works on ResetEra. You can read about the changes here.
People Who Refer To Themselves as an Artist...
- Thread starter TaterTots
- Start date
Yes? That's why I specifically pointed out that even something like a podcast can be art. I'm assuming the OP is in a tizzy because of a musician using the umbrella term as an artist. Unless they are saying an artist can only be labeled as such if some subjective merit is approved earning that title.
If a guy builds a house, no one's going to have a problem calling him a carpenter.
If a guy builds a bridge, no one's going to have a problem calling him an engineer.
If a guy codes a program, no one's going to have a problem calling him a programmer.
If a guy makes art, apparently he's a jerkass if he calls himself an artist.
If a guy builds a bridge, no one's going to have a problem calling him an engineer.
If a guy codes a program, no one's going to have a problem calling him a programmer.
If a guy makes art, apparently he's a jerkass if he calls himself an artist.
Like I can see how it might seem pretentious to call yourself a virtuoso, or a master, or a luminary, or any of the other superlatives that people sometimes use to refer to artists who are especially prolific, masterful, or otherwise exemplary in their field, but... artist has no baked-in assumption or quality, success, or anything else. It's like calling someone on a sports team a "player" or a "competitor".
I mean its my job wtf do you want me to do lol
Your problem isn't with the term, its with people
Your problem isn't with the term, its with people
i don't understand, what's pretentious about calling yourself an artist? This is boggling my mind
In itself no, but I consider most people who say it to be overstating their abilities. Many actors, musicians etc take credit for other people's work and call themselves an artist. I don't think an actual artist should do that, regardless of their natural talent.
first off, it's pretty hard to define what an artist is because it's pretty hard to nail down a definition of art.
But then how do you call a person creating pieces for other to experience something new with their senses?
And probably even that is a very restrictive definition.
But then how do you call a person creating pieces for other to experience something new with their senses?
And probably even that is a very restrictive definition.
There is generally a more prosaic term to describe yourself, painter, musician, writer etc.
I get paid to do art. The word is in my job title. I am by all official standards an artist.
Even if I wasn't getting paid, I could still be an artist.
Even if I wasn't getting paid, I could still be an artist.
I mean, the fact there are more specific terms doesn't remove the value or applicability of the general term.
Like the existence of the term "footballer" or "pitcher" doesn't mean people can't be called "athletes".
This is actually true for me. When I read the OP I was just thinking about Hollywood celebs, who like to lecture people without realizing their position in society. My friend does special effects and I wouldn't even bat an eye if he called himself artist.
I don't mind it because music uses so many skills that calling yourself an artist is easier than saying "As a writer, composer, musician and producer...."
But what is art? All three of those example professions could also be described as forms of artistry! Creativity is required from all of them.
Is it that those example professions require function, standards, and templates over form, free thinking, and expression?
In which case, if you are following the template of what it takes to be a best-selling musical act, which is the case with many in these modern times, then is it accurate to describe all musical performers/acts as "artists"?
I would say that by certain logic and to varying degrees, everybody is an artist.
Same here. There was a time I didn't get paid, but I was still an artist, just a struggling one (still am sometimes)... I was not pretending, which is what being pretentious means.
Nah, it is ok to call yourself an artist. The title in and of itself says nothing about quality nor status.
I'm a graphic designer for my full time job, i love drawing and have played guitar for 10+ years being in a few bands here and there. I don't think its pretentious but i am creating art so therefor i am an artist. Plus i skateboard too, that's pretty arty.
Yeah I'm gonna cut you off here even though I know you've got some spicy-hot philosophy coming:
Yeah, those dudes can all call themselves artists, and that's fine. That's sort of the point. It's fine to call yourself an artist. It's fine to be an artist. It's not the least bit pretentious. This doesn't require any great ruminations on the nature of art and our place in the universe, it's just art. Just do it, nerd.
I'm starting to think that there is no possible way to ever do anything artistic or assume the identity of an artist and the stuff that comes with that without sounding pretentious so some people. Do they just... i don't even know. Do they just don't give art any value whatsoever? I don't get it. Artists are artists like engineers are engineers. I don't even get this thread. It's 10am maybe that's it. But still. What the hell.
No, it's not pretentious but I get exactly where you're coming from. There is definitely a type of person who puts way more value and importance on their own work than its actual worth.
When my friend paints a mural on the side of a local community centre and calls herself an artist, fuck yeah she is, awesome work. When Kanye talks some bullshit about being the second coming and calls himself an artist, he can go get fucked.
When my friend paints a mural on the side of a local community centre and calls herself an artist, fuck yeah she is, awesome work. When Kanye talks some bullshit about being the second coming and calls himself an artist, he can go get fucked.
...why?
The words painter/sculpter/illustrator etc. exist as well, yet desbring oneself as an artist is off the table for musicians specifically?
You are an artist, and you're not pretentious. This thread is silly.
Imposter syndrome is bad enough as is, please don't give people shit for stating who they are and what they do. Everyone who picks Option 2 here is a judgemental asshole and has a disregard for art. Artists get little enough respect as is, don't do this.
What's next? You can only call yourself a painter if you're up there with the greats? Fuck outta here with that gatekeeper shit, especially so if you never made a thing in your life.
What's next? You can only call yourself a painter if you're up there with the greats? Fuck outta here with that gatekeeper shit, especially so if you never made a thing in your life.
My problem with the term "artist" is that it's a meaningless term. Defining yourself an artist means absolutely nothing, if you take it as "doing something that requires skills and training" as "being an artist". I much prefer terms like "artisan" and all the terms for those who do their own job "artfully". I'd leave the "artist" noun to people in the fine art world, literature, poetry and song writers; even singers most of the times are just performers. I seriously cringe at the pompous actors.
In general if you're the kind of person to say some kind of behaviour or thing is pretentious, you're probably being pretentious yourself.
no u
But seriously, that's true. "Artist" isn't actually a controversial label, and is a label based solely on what one does. A bad artist is still an artist. Not personally liking or valuing the work of a particular artist doesn't mean they aren't an artist, and if the label bothers you (royal you) that's entirely your problem.
"I'm an artist" = not pretentious
"Excuse me? You call yourself an artist? I don't think so buddy. Could you be anymore pretentious? Ugh, that's so annoying!" = incredibly pretentious
Last edited:
If it's literally part of your job title then no of course it's not pretentious to call yourself an artist.
Artist is a job description, it's not some mythical status. I don't think it's pretentious to call anyone who does a creative art an artist.
I'm amazed people were so easy to start using this. What a way to devalue anything you do.
I have a friend who makes paintings, sketches, and sculptures for a living. What else should she call herself?
It's just a job description. I don't think my plumber's pretentious when he says he's a plumber so why would I think an artist noting they're an artist is pretentious? If' you're a bona fide artist how else are you supposed to describe yourself?
Caveat: there are exceptions which can normally be identified in context when the artist is using it to be pretenious and in my experience 99% of the time it's someone who want's to be, but clearly isn't, an artist using it - being pretentious is on the individual though and anyone can be pretentious artist or no (except me)
Caveat: there are exceptions which can normally be identified in context when the artist is using it to be pretenious and in my experience 99% of the time it's someone who want's to be, but clearly isn't, an artist using it - being pretentious is on the individual though and anyone can be pretentious artist or no (except me)
In music? Its completely normal to refer to yourself as an artist. Im not sure if maybe rock/alt musicians dont usually but pop R&B, soul etc "musicians" call themselves ...artists.
Legit I'm even trying to think what say even is an R&B musician. Lol.
---
More broadly though would we consider someone like say Hideo Kojima or Steven Spielberg artist?
I would be definition of the term.
But if they started referring to themselves as solely as artists though I probably would chuckle.
So my answer is.... I don't know. I guess it depends on the area of art, who is saying it, and maybe how they're saying it.
From reading Mr. Nickleback guy I probably wouldn't have batted an eye but that's just me. Maybe it was his tone in the video or something?
---
Interestingly I once met some writer .... who didnt like referring himself to being a writer :/
Legit I'm even trying to think what say even is an R&B musician. Lol.
---
More broadly though would we consider someone like say Hideo Kojima or Steven Spielberg artist?
I would be definition of the term.
But if they started referring to themselves as solely as artists though I probably would chuckle.
So my answer is.... I don't know. I guess it depends on the area of art, who is saying it, and maybe how they're saying it.
From reading Mr. Nickleback guy I probably wouldn't have batted an eye but that's just me. Maybe it was his tone in the video or something?
---
Interestingly I once met some writer .... who didnt like referring himself to being a writer :/
I remind often my art-field friends that most artists' relevance begins when they are dead.
(I studied fine arts on college and hold several degrees in illustration and design, I don't call myself an artist)
(I studied fine arts on college and hold several degrees in illustration and design, I don't call myself an artist)