Lots of good food for thought of on Ian Roger’s art/illustration blog “Grey not Grey.” But this post, in particular “Is Instagram Conceptual Art” raises a LOT of really good questions that all artists, photographers, designers and even casual social media instagrammers should consider.

What is art. And who decides why something qualifies.

Obviously, these are not new questions. Dada (Duchamp in particular) made this question central to their explorations and experiments. But it bears revisiting from time to time as our interactions evolve. With social media crossing over and blurring lines between gallery, documentary, diary, telephone, and verbal dumping ground – everyone has to a small extent, become something of a curator. We frequently also hear about how we are all “content creators” sharing photos, recipes, stories, poems, and nonsense among ever growing circles of individuals – at what point do we face the question of if we are, intentionally or no, artists.

Certainly a case can be made for art requiring intent – “I am trying to make art” or “I am trying to create something to communicate X idea” but in the end, intent cannot be the sole measure. Any art history student can show any number of pieces of “art” that were never intended with that as a purpose. Craft is compelling – but then we start to deal with lines between what is “merely” craft and what is art – is a graphic designer an artist? An illustrator? What about a scientific/medical illustrator? or a photographer (landscape? wedding?) – where do we draw that line? Should we? Ultimately, do we not know until we see how the audience receives it? Or history?

There are no easy answers here. Instagram is just one more tool in a toolbox for humanity to try, once again, to communicate with our peers effectively. And sure, I only need to see so many pictures of your cat with the “walden” filter dropped on it. But then again, I’ve always liked art.

Keep creating everyone. Good light.