Word Art: Poetry and Art

Is poetry art?

The answer is an emphatic yes!

According to Webster's Dictionary, art is "the conscience use of skill and creative imagination especially in the in the production of aesthetic objects."

Even though when people think of art, what usually comes to their heads are images of paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent Van Gogh, poetry is by definition a type of art, because of the "creative imagination" involved. Even though poetry is not usually meant to be visually pleasing (with the exception of shape poetry), no one can deny that it is a form of art.

What happens, though when you combine visual art with written art?

This painting by artist Gary Wick is called "Rocky Shore Hawaii 02." A fine work of art. Now try reading the quatrain poem "the Gift" (featured in the previous post "Styles and Techniques: Quatrain"), when it is placed next to this artwork.

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Rolling beasts of liquid thunder
Bequeath their gift to ashen sand
The heart and hand of wooden flame
A silent trade from sea to land

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The feeling of the poem changes, correct? I know it does for me. The visual accompaniment gives a different meaning to the words. This is proof that visual art can indeed manipulate one's outlook on poetry. Many poets illustrate their poems with the intent of influencing their readers in how they interpret the written words. However, this is not always a good thing. Many poets would rather have their readers give unique, personal meaning to the words that they spin together. Personally, I think that the more thought-provoking a poem, the better.

~ Adam B.