You call that art?

art
noun
1.
the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.

Art comes in many forms. When one hears the word 'artist', most often a painter comes to mind. But of course, there is sculpting, and wood crafting, and dancing, and creating music, and writing beautiful poetry. These are all art forms. Everyone has a predisposition towards specific types of art. Some like abstract paintings, some like charcoal drawings. Sometimes art just speaks to you, and sometimes you just don't get it.

The image above, an illusion of 10 severed fingers, was a billboard hanging at the corner of 10th Ave and 18th Street in Chelsea, Manhattan. I believe it was taken down on June 29. I thought it was meant to be an advertisement, for what, I had no idea. But it turns out, it was an art display, created by the artist Maurizio Cattelan. Read the history behind it here.

I often see graffiti all along the walls of the subway tunnels in New York City. Most of it is scribbles, ruining the already bleak walls of the underground. People like the thrill of committing a crime without getting caught. And yes, spraying graffiti on public or private buildings that you do not own constitutes as a crime.

But aside from the hoodlums and low life's who do it for the heck of it, there are those who do it to leave a mark. Because they have something to share with the world.

It is like writing 'Kilroy was here'. It is a calling card of sorts. It is a brilliant way to leave behind a small part of yourself.

I find it ironic that most famous artists become famous after they are long gone. But lots of people never get discovered during their lifetime.

I do not claim to be an art connoisseur, but I do like this particular painting:

Nighthawks, a 1942 painting by Edward Hopper. There is something mysterious about this scene.   

How do you plan on leaving your mark on the world?