Monday 2 February 2015

Art vs Craft



I know some of the dry stone traditionalists out there don't really like being called artists and would rather be known as craftsmen, but I think the line is blurred and it's not cut and dry. Maybe just building a wall isn't considered 'fine art' by some, but I think its just misunderstood. No matter the geology that is popping out of the ground, a builder with a skilled hand in the 'craft' of dry stone walling would be able to create a strong and true structure. Some may think 'a wall isn't art', it's just a wall', but some may think the same way towards a clay bowl. A wall is a one of a kind sculpture that was built by an 'Artist' or 'Artisan' (another word they don't like). No 2 stones are the same but a wall with tight fitting contact, consistency in line, structure and strength will always come out in the end. That takes a creative mind to be able to do that well and I think the traditionalists are going to have to start facing reality and accept that you are all artists working within the craft of dry stone walling.

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