Junior Philosophy Club

Some of Trinity's younger students have been discussing questions about art at Junior Philosophy Club:

Barnett Newman’s painting sold in 2013 for $43.8 million. Is this art or any piece of art worth that price?

Zayn Jafar (JP) – Anything is art. But it is the individual opinion about it that counts. No matter how bad or good, it is still art.

Marley Andoh-Philips (1H) – Anything can be worth anything, it just depends on what the buyer thinks it is worth.

Rishan Patel (JP) – people are buying it for the artist even though it is lots of money but it also depends how much thought and effort went into the art piece. Yousuf Mortimer (JP) – Even though it looks like just some blue it would be hard to create it because of the shading but I don’t think anything you hang on a wall should cost more than £1000.

George Clubbs (1H) – Every object around us is art, but people only consider beautiful or detailed work on canvas to be art and don’t consider 'ugly art' to be art, but it still should be thought of as art. Art only sells for a high price because people drive up the high prices, and people are as determined as their bank account allows them to be.

Alex Trevena (1H) – I don’t think this is art as it is so simple and anyone can make it.

'Comedian' by Maurizio Cattelan. Is this worth anything? (three editions have generated $390,000)

Harry Speight (1H) – Everything is art but this shouldn’t be that expensive. Art is sometimes not intentional but the price should depend on how much effort you put into it. For example, the precision. Though this piece could ruin your wall and the banana rots!

Alex – I don’t think this should be worth much because you can get a roll of tape and a bunch of bananas for, say, £2 and anyone can make that.

Rangoli designs are meant to be destroyed: they often allow the wind to blow away the beautiful designs as a reminder of the law of impermanence.

George – Having attachments to objects isn’t worth it, you should attach yourself to something that can love you back.

Harry – Being attached to something can be good as it can make you feel better.

Alex – I think it is totally find to have attachments to possessions as they mean something to you.