I've had this question floating around in my head for the last few months..
In an age when most people share their craft on some social platform, and content creation has become its own profession, I've been wondering, what is the difference between content and art? Do you consider content creation (or certain kinds of content creation) a form of artistic expressions? Do memes, reels, intentionally curated feeds, etc. have a space under the umbrella of art? If yes or no, then why?
As it stands, it seems that "content" is a general enough term so we might even say that all art IS content, but not all content is art? Then again what is art to one person, may not be to another..
I think it's important to consider the creator's intention. Content creation is intended to be a constant consumable stream to feed an audience and gain a following. Sometimes they need to consider what is trending. There is a bottom line with content creation whereas artistic expression is this indescribable and intrinsic movement within one's soul. Art tends to be a reflection of the artist and their view of the world while content is meant to be seen and shared. Art, I think, occurs in a state of flow and begs you to be present as you create, and whatever pool of inspiration the artist taps into, they can't seem to explain where exactly their ideas came from.. but maybe that is true for people who create content too? Yet I can't seem to separate content creation from constant consumption.
The content creator needs to be thinking always of the next thing and the next thing. And they need to create consistently. A single peice of content often cannot sustain itself without the expectation of more content to come whereas a single work of art can be everlasting.. but BUT what about the content that goes viral and stays viral. The evergreen content that circulates regularly and we never tire of it ... Artists, I think, need time to incubate and do nothing.
Am I just pulling at hairs? Does it all come down to semantics?
What do you think?
Yes firstly sorry for going quiet on here for a while I’ve been moving house and although things are not fully in order yet we are getting there. But it’s just been a bit manic!
Anyway as to the discussion I think art in poetry is a creation of feelings, expression and emotion. Putting your emotions and views of your subject on to paper. Where as content is keeping up with putting out a certain amount of your work (art) you produce on Instagram say which I do a lot now thanks to the help of Adam here. Which soon I need a few more sessions with him I might add. I feel putting out content is keeping your followers interested in seeing what you put out next, where as art is the creation of your work. So maybe they are to separate things in many ways, writing and coming up with your art is one thing. But content is putting out enough art each time to keep the readers interested in what you doing next. Yes content can also be what you put into your art what’s in your art substance as such, but I feel they are two different things as your art can be anything whether it’s two lines long or two pages long. Where as content should really be separate and be what you produce and put out there to the public.
Maybe I’m wrong there but that’s the way it seems to stand out to me.