I think anything to be called art needs to bring something new to its medium and to instigate people to think about that piece of art.

If we think deep inside animation there are many animation books which shows how to do walk cycles. So doing an walk cycle can be considered a craft. It doesn’t bring anything new to the medium of animation and doesn’t change the way people see and think walks but when somebody brings a new way of movement that brings another sight for that craft I think it can be considered art.

And sometimes art is manifested through industry as we saw in many movies (and in Up’s opening sequence which gave the movie the honor to be the first animated feature to open Cannes Festival).

Michelangelo was not an “artist” as we think today. He was a painter and sculpter who used to sell his work to survive as many of us do everyday but he went beyond the simple craft of the painter and brought a new way of showing “the paint” which made him an artist.

I think as an animator that I am an artist and even if sometimes it seems not to be, I try to research even more and do the most I can to bring something new to its medium with skills, techniques, education, love and passion as Juan said.

You’re right when you say, “You can’t control whether someone will love or hate your work”. Everyone has different tastes. So some may like your work, some may not. The problem, is that people confuse what is art and what isn’t with what they like or don’t like. People may not like a Jackson Pollock painting, but it is an art piece. Also an artist/craftsman is an artist because of talent, skill, technique, education, discipline, love, passion, and the desire to be better. That is what an artists is… Animation is created by many people who fit that description. Those people are artists… you are an artist. Be proud of that! Don’t let the messiness of business, ignorant opinions, and executives who have no reason to be anywhere near art mislead you.

Thanks for you comment.

The reason I find it hard to say “animation is art” is because I also find it hard to say “painting is art”. Or “sculpture is art”.

Clearly it isn’t.

My five year old nephew likes to paint. But it ain’t art.

I totally agree with you in that artists care about their work. They have to.

My main point is that the only things you can control when you do your work are related to craftsmanship (or if artisanship if you want to call it that).

You can’t control whether someone will love or hate your work.

As Pixar has often said, quality is the best business plan – so if you aspire to be considered an artist – working on the elements you can control will definitely be fruitful.

Appreciate your feedback.
–Phil

Yeah. I think it works both ways.

Some family members are too supportive (and blind to your flaws) and others are completely unhelpful and overly critical.

Choose the people who give you feedback carefully.

Thanks for your comment
–Phil