The other side of art
Art is undeniably one of the hardest disciplines to define. It is very subjective according to one's taste and preference. In some cases it is also bounded by the elements that make it structured, especially in the field of design.
As a young girl, I was once fascinated in the discipline of art. My childhood was filled with arts and crafts. The glue, crayons and colored papers were all my friends especially that I had no one to play with. When I became a teenager my art form was music and theater. I became engrossed with the technicalities of the said discipline which enabled me to be well-versed in some of its aspects.
We all have our art moments and each masterpiece is original, thereby making it your own. Nobody can own or take away an idea from a brilliant mind. However, others get the nerve to copy art and make a living out of it.
Like Cebuano designer Kenneth Cobonpue who is very intricate with his designs. He works behind with a design team who pour all their effort into making an original design come to life. Because of his prominence and marketing strategy that boosts his sales, a lot of businessmen opt to copy his designs (well, with a few tweaking) and sell them at a cheaper price. He reserves the rights to his designs giving him enough reason to press charges upon finding enough grounds to accuse them of copying. However, a lot of people are raising their brows and saying that art could not be protected.
I had a chance to exclusively talk with him on this matter. And all the more I came to understand the importance of originality. Somewhere in our conversation, he pointed out that Filipinos are a creative group of people. He challenged all designers and furniture companies to make their own original designs instead of copying others so that they may prove to the world that we are no ordinary when it comes to art. And yes, it does make sense.
Thoughts were running through my mind as we talked. After which I asked myself, have I done something to prove that the Filipino race is genuine and creative? Maybe the words I write every week, yes. But the greater question is thrown to you, our dear readers. Have you done something to make the Filipino people proud? I think it is just time to tell the world that we are made up of very talented people, not worthy of any rude and snide comments. We are the Filipino race that once was great in Asia. Of course, we can bring that back again.
Saying that "art" is just art is a misnomer and poor information relayed. To be frank, we have to properly credit our artists and designers alike by placing beauty in the basic things that we see today. A day worth of hard work is worthy to be recognized. True, art is and will always be copyrighted.
And so to those who only look into the commercial aspect of art, I do hope you get a bigger picture of how things work. Life is not all about money. Copying is stealing and it is punishable by law. Try to challenge yourself to make your own. By then you will see how business really works. Also, to those young artists, keep watch of what you do but make sure to keep the flame of creativity burning. Remove all negative connotations that there is no money in art. When you love what you are doing, blessings will follow.
Now that I am a grown woman, the crayons are no longer mine but for the next generation to use. My silent prayer is for them to use it to the full extent so that someday that may know that they could do great things because they are Filipinos and Filipinos - like Kenneth Cobonpue said - are a creative people.
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