The way I understand it, art is an intentional depiction of appealing mixture of the form, composition and color. Art can be visual and auditory as well as functional. Art can be innovative, but more often it is an expression of someoneâs emotional state on regular basis.
Work of Edward Burtynsky is manifold. Each of his productions can be considered to be an art.
His use of camera produces amazing results. It is clear, sharp images of great resolution. Most of it should be attributed to the camera itself. But camera alone canât to a thing. In hands of Burtynsky it produced images full of pleasing color interactions, and compositions. It doesnât really matter, at this point, what is depicted in photographs; images do make you stop and adore the picture as if it was an abstract painting.
Burtynsky does something extra. He adds commentaries which explain how one should interpret photographs. Now it isnât just an art but documentary photography as well. It is like a âbait and switchâ technique; Burtynsky lures his audience with art but then exchanges the esthetical information with political one. It is done quite masterfully.
Lastly, Burtynsky uses new media to deliver his message to people. Article Anatomy of an iPad App: Edward Burtynskyâs Oil Embraces the iPad Format dedicates quite a lot space describing the App and how it works. The App does more than just show image or two, it does so in an appealing way. Programing involved to make it possible have to be thought through and compiled in a way to be not just functional but attractive.
In conclusion, Iâd say the work of Edward Burtynsky and his team is an art form, regardless of the political message it was created in the name of.
