10 Responses to “CAN GHOSTS MAKE ART?”

1. Dennis Says:
   November 13th, 2008 at 2:14 pm

   Maybe. But if they could, would we be able to see it?

2. Corey Says:
   November 13th, 2008 at 2:51 pm

   They sure can through the medium of the living.
   …not exactly the creepy “I was possesed by the spirit of elvis! He made me sing Blue Suede Shoes while I was deep frying a turkey!”

   Dead people influence my playing all the time. The influence usually stems from something they did when they were alive…but I guess the real art would be their influence combined with another individual’s creativity. The result being something new which wouldnt have happened under other circumstances.

   Is that what you mean?

3. fluffy Says:
   November 13th, 2008 at 5:47 pm

   Anything that exists can make art.

   So, no, ghosts cannot make art.

4. Adam Norwood Says:
   November 13th, 2008 at 6:34 pm

   “[Death] follows [artists] around like their shadow, and I think that’s one of the reasons most artists are so conscious of the vulnerability and nothingness of life.” — Francis Bacon (the artist, not the philosopher)

   I’d like to think that somewhere out there is a whole field of ghost art study, likely written in German around the time of vitalism and Mary Shelley and all that (”der geisterkunst”?)

   There’s also a joke to be made about a ghost’s choice of mediums…

5. Laura klink Says:
   November 14th, 2008 at 1:38 pm

   ones past - ghosts - are always there.
   suppressed memories or those floating on the surface, they influence just like those in life do.
   nothing read,studied or engrained about this subject - just me an my personal ghosts that stir my creative juices come to light w/this subject.
   And boo to you too.

6. Austin Kleon Says:
   November 14th, 2008 at 4:23 pm

   I love making cryptic posts like this. I get to hear from all my smart readers…

7. Jesse Says:
   November 20th, 2008 at 10:51 pm

   Art is a human function. Apes don’t do it. Dogs don’t do it. Humans do.

   “Chance is not art, except by chance.”
   – Ferlinghetti

   So no.

   Art can make ghosts, though.

8. Raptor Claus Says:
   November 24th, 2008 at 2:27 am

   art is living
   ghosts are dead
   so ghosts can’t but zombies can cause their the living dead

   (thank you that’s the best question I’ve been asked this year)

   raptor claus out

9. Jay Says:
   December 18th, 2008 at 1:00 pm

   The subject of ghosts can make art, though I’ve always wondered why they’ve been simplified to a sheet with a ragged edge and two holes for eyes. Where does that come from? Is pac-man to blame?

10. Austin Kleon Says:
    December 19th, 2008 at 3:42 pm

    No idea! Let me know if you find out.

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