I saw a great piece of typographic art on morenewmath and I am sure many similar declarations have been made with the same point in mind.  It made me chuckle and I sent it out to friends, as it applies to so many more aspects of life than just modern art per say.

“I could have done that…” is probably a statement you’ve heard before in many different situations.  There are also the famous variations such as “my kid could have done that” or “a 2 year old could have done that” and sadly it often comes up in museums and fine art shows.  People see a splatter of paint on a canvas or a couple scribbled lines and completely do not understand why someone would pay a million dollars for a simple or easily reproducible piece.  It happens in craft fairs as well, where the criticism of “I could have made that” often comes up.

Fundamentally, I think people misunderstand simplicity and do not see beyond the physical result of a product or piece of art.  Debates about defining art and what is art are regularly discussed in Art 101 sections of every college campus.  I don’t want to get into a discussion about fine art specifically, but rather the principle of understanding that there is more that lies beneath the surface and people should not be so quick to judge what they do not truly understand.

A common misconception is that simplicity is often easy.  No matter what medium you work in, it usually takes a lot of skill and experience to make something go smoothly and seemingly easily.  It seems that way to an outsider who has no idea what goes on behind the scenes.  How often have you tried something new that you thought would be easy, only to realize it takes a lot more effort and skill?  In all sorts of design, something might look clean and simple, but it took a lot of work and thought to get to that point.  When elements go together perfectly and nothing detracts from the composition – it does look like simplicity.  Perhaps simple means perfect sometimes?  The important point to remember is that simplicity does not equal less work or lack of skill.  I think it often means the opposite actually.

Of course, there are those who say that really they could have done this or that.  I remind them of a wise saying I’ve heard – actions speak louder than words – because executing and succeeding on a great idea is probably more difficult than coming up with the great idea itself.  Didn’t Thomas Jefferson say that success is 1% inspiration but 99% perspiration?  An idea is just an idea, if you don’t act upon it – there is nothing to show for it.

So perhaps there are cases where you could have created that art collage or sewed that shirt or designed that layout.  I commend those who get out there and do things themselves (I’m a huge do-it-yourself person!) and have no issues with those who choose that path.  Go right ahead, I say!  However, to those that criticize, bad mouth and talk for the benefit of their own ego, I think they need to stop patting themselves on the back for nothing.  Certainly everyone has the right to express their opinions, so they can talk all they want about how they could have done that, but in the end we all know that they didn’t do anything at all.

Reference reading:
Germaine.be – I Could Have Done That
Queens Journal – My Child Could Have Done This…

Posted on April 14, 2009 at 10:51 am | About Business | No comment