As regular readers of this blog know, I propose that art exists because in our evolutionary past payment to artists promoted material science — learning how to create new materials with useful properties. For example, red stained glass.
Medieval artisans unknowingly became nanotechnologists when they made red stained glass by mixing gold chloride into molten glass. That created tiny gold spheres, which absorbed and reflected sunlight in a way that produces a rich ruby color.
The gold spheres have to be about 25 nanometers in diameter to get this effect.
Thanks to Joshua Schrier.
Art exists because humans have a drive to create… relevant art exists because some humans are in touch with universal trends, or what Carl Jung termed the ‘collective unconscious.’
Technological, and other scientific advances, can be driven by artists (because of their heightened receptivity to the aforementioned zeitgeist and their need to create media for its expression). However, I would disagree that art exists solely because artists were inspired by material gain (i.e. payment). Certainly, notable artworks (e.g., Lascaux cave paintings) were created during the human hunter-gatherer period and predate any form of trade economics.
It would make more sense to say that science exists because of art (when art is defined as the product of the human drive to create).
It should be noted that non-secular art, such as stained glass dating from the 7th century and later, had motivations not strictly limited to patronage and profit. Moreover, there is a critical difference between a craftsman and an artist.
This is a fascinating discussion! In my humble opinion, I must agree a little with both of you. There are instances where art exists because of science….and other areas where science exists because of art. Without science, where would art be?
I knew that trace amounts of precious metal are used to form some of the hot colors, it’s just nice to hear a little more about the process. I met a guy who made pink opalescent seedy glass by broadcasting arsenic into the glass, so it’s pretty special, only the owner can make it because it’s not safe enough for employees to do it.