BP #5/6 - Value, Meaning and Boots

Art's meaning and value are assigned by appointed (sometimes self-appointed) "experts." Those experts are accepted as authorities on the matter of art based on established societal standards. Some people find no value at all in art, but so many allow the value to be dictated to them whether they understand it or not. Another major aspect is supply and demand. If no one wants a piece, or art at all for that matter, it would have no value at all. Very often, art receives value based on it's rarity. A newly found pair of paduka shoes from Ancient India is much more valuable than a new pair of Balmain heels. That then brings me to the topic of age which goes hand in hand with rarity. The age of a piece holds more significance because it gives you a glimpse into a times we know less about due to the limitations of the documentation of whatever time the "rare" piece was created. As John Cotton Dana stated in "The Gloom of the Museum", " Art museum objects were not chosen for their beauty or for their help they might give in developing good taste... but for their rarity."
 Then again, someone can factor all of this and still not care about art nor even see the value. It's one of those things, like beauty, that in the eye of the beholder.

As for meaning, you must first examine the intention of the artist. People have their own interpretations, of course, but that's often molded by the artist's motive and objective behind the piece. This intention is usually revealed through the choice of title. Meaning can also be found when you assess what the piece is indicative of. What are the cultural influences? What motived the artist? What was the artist experiencing during the time of it's creation?















Title: Boots: Spikes on Black
Artist: Steve Madden designer
Date: c. 2013
Geography: usa
Medium: Leather, silver studs and nylon laces
Dimensions: H 9 in, W 4 in, D 11 in
Source: stevemadden.com

What we choose to wear is a reflection of our personal style. That style is impacted by cultural and societal standards in conjunction with personal selection. I chose these boots because they exemplify my person aesthetic and taste. I tend to like cleanly designed things with a bit of flair and/or edge. They also are a modern design from a popular brand, Steve Madden, whose objective is to stay on the every changing trends. I don't usually buy from trendy labels but I felt these weren't too dated and could be worn for years to come without me getting tired of them when I saw them on a blog (forget which one). My taste has fluctuated in the past. Plus, they were on sale!

Obviously the shoes are used for protecting my feet but these are also used to represent the wearer's style. Value wise, they're very important to me. Before my ankle fusion surgery, they were one of the only pairs of shoes that I could comfortably wear frequently. Since the surgery, I've had to get rid of numerous shoes but these still actually fit. This gives these shoes functional significance as well. Suffice to say, they are quite purposeful and meaningful.