Well I give up all my sculpturing
‘Cause my life had gone all sad
An I went to work down at the factory
It weren’t art … but it weren’t bad
So
They put me on the assembly line
Putting plastic leaves on the plastic palms
Then they shipped then off the Los Angeles
Yeah it weren’t art … but it weren’t wrong
Now some say it’s pathetic
When you give up your aesthetic
For a blue collar job in the factory
But all that exhibiting
Was just too damn inhibiting
For a beer drinking
Regular guy … like me
– Terry Allen, Oui
A couple of years ago I asked a few brewers attending the Craft Brewers Conference to choose one of four words to describe themselves: artist, artisan, engineer or farmer.
There’s another part to this. If you think your favorite brewer is an artist does it follow that some beers must be art? A great beer, a wonderful dish or an excellent bottle of wine may be aesthetically pleasing as art, but that’s not the same as being an object of art.
Does it seem like a stretch to call these art?
I got to thinking about Terry Allen’s lyrics because I’m writing a lot about process while working on the wheat beer book. The way I see it there is a rather wide gap between the skill need to put “plastic leaves on plastic palms” and to put consistently good beer in a glass. Just not sure how you describe that skill.
I didn’t ask Bernard Kuhn, brewmaster at Weissbräu Freilassing in southeastern Germany, if he’d call his beer art, but I’m pretty sure the answer would have been no. Kuhn brews three regular weiss beers and one winter special, no flavors of the month, following quite traditional methods (decoction, open fermentation, true bottle conditioning). But what he talks about first is quality.
“You cannot always do the same process,” he said. “You have to brew good beer out of shitty malt. That’s the skill of the brewmaster.”
Is the art in what a brewer actually does in the process or end result, in neither, in both?
Random travel note: Today we’re off to Archer City, Texas, to wander through the multiple buildings of Booked Up, the antiquarian book store operated by author Larry McMurtry. This could be dangerous.
I suspect I ranted about this at some point but I would observe that artisan gets a short straw by everyone flipping past it to artist…or even artiste. I Would place good small operation craft brewers squarely in the artisan category. I would also suggest that at a certain level of production they are really organic chemical engineers but that is not bad, either.
Plus, we live in a swiss cheese world where there are many paths and opportunities so why can’t artisans and engineers take a hint from the artists once in a while. I am warned, however, by my own Spidey sense when I hear someone identify as an artist who creates a craft. In all things, not just beer.
The biggest single part of the definition of art (or an artist) I always point to (and usually to those who don’t understand art) is passion. I have a passion to draw, to define something that’s in my head and create the image on paper or canvas. It’s a passion that is difficult to describe because it’s an urge like no other — maybe writers carry it too?
Do you suppose Herr Kuhn (and other good brewmasters) has a passion to create the best beer he knows how? I’d wager a guess that he does — and the end result is his art, a testament to his skill and talent.
I disagree. Passion is brought to many non-artistic activities. Artisans all act with passion. What is uniquely included, however, in art is communication of a message through the given medium of art. It may be a message about the art itself as with abstract art or something as obvious as a moral to a story. What beer conveys a message and what is the message? If there is one, then and only then can I call it art.
Alan, I disagree about your comment of passion is not art.
“Wherever you go, there you art”, means plying one’s passions,,,however one can communicate them. Art is like bursting forth a crop pellet…the spitting out of the bones of the issue,,,,and nobody needs to write you a note,,,an explosion of “I can’t wait anymore and I’ll show you”,,,,and I’ll show you in my art,,,be it beer or anything.
One has to be sustainable in sharing the art/passion/message–this is the farmer side.
One has to be and engineer and make the art/passion/message real.
One has to be the artist and be willing to experiment/fail/try again.
And one has to be the artisan that can do all of this again and again —duplication—-and never have the original passion diminished….or potential failure will be next…because,,,,,,,,of lack of passion….the original intention.
“Where ever you go, there you art”,,,,,,or,,,,,” I can write you a note”.
If life was more art like,,we might all grin alot more.
Passion. Don’t ever lose it for a dollar.
My comment was not passion is not art but that passion is not the exclusive domain of art. Artisans have passion as do good farmers and good engineers. Neither is “experiment/fail/try again” – that as easily defines the entrepreneur.
Art is something more that can’t just be a synonym for “good thing about the thing I like.” I agree that good craft beer takes passion – don’t get me wrong. But that is not the hallmark of art.
PS: I have had too much passionless “craft” beer to think they always go hand in hand, too.
I think of craft as nick nack buy my tie tack….I got a thousand.
Don’t like mine?, go buy from the neighbor. Craft,, like shoe horns.
Art is that unique passion made,,, one off item,,,, how did I ever do it,,,, I don’t know if I can do it again,,,, beneficial fluke of art that was only born out of passion and not desperation. Desperation,,,,like shoe horns,,,,,craft…..$$$.
The artisan figures out how to do it again,,,,and again,,,,and twist it all to the new passion and fate,,,,,and do it again,,,,and again,,,, because of passion. Usually forgets the $$. Passionate artists with hearts on sleeves.
If the beer fits, drink it!
“I agree that good craft beer takes passion – don’t get me wrong. But that is not the hallmark of art.”
I honestly don’t think we’re arguing here, but I also don’t think we’re speaking of the same passion when we speak of an artist’s drive to create something and a farmer’s drive to grow crops.
And that is not to say that there aren’t some farmers who have such a deep emotion to their work, but I guess that’s where we compare a good brewmaster to one who goes through the motions day after day — with little concern to the end result of his work.
You haven’t met the farmers I have or I suppose the artists.
Maybe you’re right Alan. I live in Taos where life IS art and passion,,,beer and farming included.
I had an acre garden for years and got to know the neighbours. Onions take passion if they are to be good onions. Besides, what is wrong with artisan anyway?
I don’t think anything is wrong with artisan,,,,I thought they were the ones with passion that can duplicate the art again and again,,,,with ease,,,and comfort,,,,,and have perhaps,,their own artisan style. Duplication,,artisan,,,more than one-offs?
“You haven’t met the farmers I have or I suppose the artists.”
Likewise. And likewise the brewmasters I’ve met.
Of course I have met passionate brewers but, as I think it is evident, you have yet to explain how it is they are artists in a satisfactory manner other than to say I for some reason don’t quite understand your understanding of passion. I am quite aware that you think some are passionate as I have. That is where we are.
[I think I am going to nickname you “Chip” because I have a sense that that is what I am dealing with! ;-)]
Artistic brewers can use many starting materials and create amazing “beers”, but I find only the forefront and passionate brewers can do it when they please,,which is usually most of the time.
Chip???—how old are you? What’s your problem anyway? Don’t like beer? or Art?…or passion?
I forgot,,,”I’m to explain…. in a satisfactory manner…why you feel you may not understand…..passion?”. Sorry if I failed. Didn’t know I got a job out of this. I quit now.
“[I think I am going to nickname you “Chip” because I have a sense that that is what I am dealing with!”
Huh?
Explaining artistic passion is as easy as explaining love to a 10 year old… which is just about who I feel I’m dealing with (not to steal any of Todd’s thunder).
As I said above, I don’t think there is an argument here, just a discussion heading to the same center from different directions.
My stance: Many a brewmaster have the artistic passion for the beers they “craft,” it’s what drives them and gives them a sense of completion when the end result is in the glass, in someone’s hand, making that someone happy. I’m sure it’s similar to a chef who gets pleasure from seeing someone truly enjoy one of their dishes.
Then there are the brewmasters who are merely shlepping through the day, the passionless ones you mention above. They have no sense of that creation they’re crafting, and could care less.
There’s also a difference between having the passion of an artist and having the skill of an artist.
See, you can’t say “I also don’t think we’re speaking of the same passion when we speak of an artist’s drive to create something and a farmer’s drive to grow crops” when I explicitly and expressly am saying just that.
That isn’t a discussion, with all respect – it is a disagreement but one in which you seem to want to highjack and then disregard entirely my heartfelt disagreement (which I have explained) with your fundamental position. But I now know you will agree with me on that 100% so we can just conclude this by arriving at the conclusion that I have prearranged for you. [again with the 😉 ]
Restatement of my understanding which I in no way foist upon you but which keeps me warm at night and can recommend accordingly:
(1) no craft brewer is an artist as they lack the fundamental aspect of art, the conveyance of meaning;
(2) craft brewers are at their best artisans;
(3) there are small scale crap operators in all fields including the arts; and
(4) the best craft brewers are passionate as are many artists, artisans, engineers and happy street sweepers not to mention bus drivers.
I think you are in fact saying much the same but in elevating it to art, I simply cannot follow you along that last bit of the road.
PS: I am 45 but when I use smiling emoticons I feel like I am ten!
Good lord, Stan: the passionate yet unskilled artist! I fear that’s called being a cranky blogger, right?
[for a third time, ;-)]
I think skill can eventually grow from passion, but we’re just wading deeper into different definitions of “good” art.
Van Gogh, Klimt, Hopper, Pollock, Lichtenstein? Ayinger, Anchor, Goose Island, New Belgium, Dogfish?
Alan, you’re right — I don’t think I can ever agree with you in comparing an artist’s driving passion to a farmers drive to grow crops. Then again, I’ve never been a farmer and I doubt you’ve ever been an artist… except maybe in the creativity of the circles in which you write.
See, you can’t say “I also don’t think we’re speaking of the same passion when we speak of an artist’s drive to create something and a farmer’s drive to grow crops” when I explicitly and expressly am saying just that.
What?? How sad.
You are so wrong and you don’t know me and what I’m doing.
Trust me, there are others like me too.
I am all of this.
I’m trying to develop the very best next hops the world has ever seen and I’ve been PASSIONATELY at it since 2000 and the PASSION only grows. I make so much art and grow the very best food around and it is all art…nobody has ever come close to duplicating any of this… and I’m gonna be 45 in May. I teach and share the organic farming knowledge and native plant knowledge,,,,and it took time, passion, lack of $$ as incentives, and more and at this time in history,,,this is art.
I can teach it,,,,doesn’t mean you’ll get it.
I’m so sorry for your view of the world, I hope it gets better.
Todd, you seem anxious to misunderstand.
I am saying we are speaking of the same passion of the farmer and the artists. I was told I could not say that. I disagree with that because it is the same passion.
You may have intense passion in the work you do. So do I. If you feel sorry for a worldview that includes raising kids, fostering, gardening, home brewing, writing, music making, lawyering, baseball playing and any of the other things (including the art I do) I love, well, you have to look at yourself in the mirror not me. But that is not art…except the actual art. I expect you love those around you. That is an intense passionate experience. It is not art. You may have a deep spiritual experience of existence like I do. Not art either. Art is not just “thing I really really like and/or do well” or “cause of my struggle.” If that is not the case, like Steve, I can suggest “cheese toast at 6:52 am, my favorite shoes, my daughter’s smile: art!”
We disagree, fine. You think I am “so wrong” and Steve sees circles – but I don’t hope you “get better.” I wouldn’t say such a thing. But try to stick to the ideas and you might see an opening to something new.
As a total view of life, “wherever you go, there you art”. Period.
Here in Taos,,,,I art.
I see no good nor bad,,just opinions. All is good by me.
“If only you could see what I see”,,,you’d only see what I see.
No judgement of your life and accomplishments–honest.
I just the hope that ,,,,,?? Passion and art become one for all,,,in all endeavors. It makes for alot more smiles.
“Trying to stick to the ideas” doesn’t include any name calling to me,,,especially since this forum is a sharing of ideas,,,,,,,but then,,,I’m just a simple farmer, passionate artist, engineer,,woodworking craftsman, and hack brewer,,,and finger pointing is not my style. I’m an elbow wagger! I don’t want to spill my beer!
I wish you art and happiness filled with passion!
Wherever I go, there is a baseball hat. But I take your point.
With respect, are you lowering art to passion? And I have a problem with passion in that it includes or at least is related to enthusiasm which always makes me think of the minor characters in British historical dramas clapping along to the more skilled, more interesting, more eventful. Those lesser characters can witness the wonder of others but never really know it.
On the other hand, I dimly recall that in 18th English century poetry they talked about “the sublime” – that would be more in the category of really really good rippling sort of experience that I think we can both agree infuses all the good of life. But it is objective and has a separate experience which is greater than subjective passion.
So what about this: art may be the attempt to capture, comprehend, enunciate and communicate the experience of the sublime. If that is right, then there is an exchange of idea. Then maybe craft beer could be art. That would require the brewer to being interested in the essential nature of the thing. That could work but I am not sure that I am ready to buy in to that right away. I need to think if that works.
Lost. Ok.
“If that is not the case, like Steve, I can suggest “cheese toast at 6:52 am, my favorite shoes, my daughter’s smile: art!”
I suggested that? Well, okay — if I suggested the likelihood of a good craft beer being art, then yes — I guess I can see cheese toast as someone’s idea of art, and I can even imagine farmers being as passionate about corn as Larry Bell is about Pale Ale.
But now tell us, because I really am interested, just what is the “art you do” that makes you our peer on the subject? ‘Cause I think you cornered the market on “cranky blogger,” and if that’s art, why isn’t brewing?
Art -noun
1. the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.
Artist -noun
5. a person whose work exhibits exceptional skill.
Covers a lotta ground, “beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.” Yeah, that describes the Blonde Doppelbock from Kirby Nelson at Capital Brewing to a tee.
I play bad banjo…I never said good art.
That is a weird definition of art as neither “quality” or “realm” requires human involvement.