In our last issue, we profiled a local artist and local art gallery. Some of you probably wondered why we, a music magazine, did that.

In case you haven't noticed, the Twin Cities has a vibrant indie art scene, which intersects perfectly with our vibrant indie music scene. The same people at the 7th Street Entry listening to a local musician on any given night, might be at an art gallery the next night viewing paintings, sculptures or photographs created by a local artist.

A number of art galleries have bands play on their opening nights and several musicians I know create visual art. These two scenes are more intertwined than you might think.
I've already tried to make the connection; Rift's covers have always been designed by local artists who create music-related posters, CD covers and the like. I must admit, though, I used the art mostly because I thought it looked cool, but it did something unexpected for me: It opened my eyes to the art scene.

I think art's main objective is to open our minds to new ideas and experiences. Like music, the art scene isn't limited to just one style or genre. Art can be a painting, a film, a sculpture or a photograph; it can incorporate mixed media with sounds and visuals.

Art and music are both about passion, about spending time and personal investment into creating something you feel strongly about. Both take hard work, dedication and in both instances, it can be hard to eke out a living on.

Art and music are also subjective and as a result, subject to criticism. Someone might enjoy a canvas filled with splattered colors more than a realistic painting of a forest. Someone might enjoy listening to a singer-songwriter performing songs about their past experiences more than an experimental band whose members created their own instruments and scream in time to an early '80s drum machine.

You may not like everything you see or hear, but we all need to be to open to other types of music, art and film. Don't ever forget there's a person behind the art, not unlike you and me, who's trying to make a living doing what they love. And it does feel good to discover something new and interesting; it feels even better if you can connect with it.

Back to the original question: Is it art? Yes, it is – and it's not art because someone says it is or isn't, it's art because someone came up with an idea, brought it to life with their two hands, put it on display and let you experience it for yourself.

rich@riftmagazine.com
myspace.com/riftmagazine