Social media posts inform large parts of our daily life. They can provide humour, information or memories. People can make them physical with a Facebook photobook or printing tweets onto t-shirts. The renaissance left art with a lesson that hasn’t really been shaken since: innovation means breaking all the rules. But the problem with that is that it becomes a lot harder then, without rules, to decide what is considered art. The connotations of art is that there is technique behind some awe-inspiring piece of work, but is that the case? And if that is the case, what’s to stop your everyday user’s post from being considered art?

How is art measured? Is it measured in likes? In fans? In gold stars? In sentimental value? Technique and effort? We explore in this guide that asks if users’ posts are art.

Pushback is a part of innovation

First, it’s worth remembering that a lot of famous artists of every genre, be it painting, photography, poetry, music, literature, etc. were told that their work was awful. Sometimes that was a lecturer laying out strict rules for what made good poetry, as in the case of the Beat Movement poet, Allen Ginsberg, or society at large not appreciating their work until they were long gone, like the tragic case of Vincent van Gogh.

When there’s effort put in?

Jackson Pollock would beg to differ. Or perhaps his seemingly random drips of paint were a tremendous effort? We can easily say “Well, I could do that”, but you haven’t. And you probably wouldn’t do it the same way. Millions of choices led us to where we are now. We are only who we are. And you can’t be someone else, not even Jackson Pollock.

When the fans say so?

That is an argument that takes some thought. Fans, as a collective, like some stupid stuff, they change their mind over time, and they are usually at odds with critics, who are apparently looking for the same things.

The term cult classics comes from a universally recognized objectively bad piece of art becoming something that fans love. Tommy Wiseau’s The Room comes to mind, which packs cinemas regularly with fans who love the term “So bad it’s good”, who cheer and scream whenever anything happens in this “romantic drama” movie.

When the critics say so?

As mentioned, critics often are at odds with what the fans like. And sometimes it’s not just down to the fact that the fans are in the process of enjoying a cult classic or a “so bad it’s good”, but they’re simply looking for other things than what the audience wants.

Or, in the case of the Beat Movement, they simply cannot get past what was considered correct in the past, to enjoy the innovation of now, where fans can recognize it.

Conclusion: It doesn’t matter

Art is subjective. It is the first rule of modern art and art analysis for a reason. One person might consider it art and likely it will be due to vastly different reasons than the next person, who doesn’t. Your mother loved those crayon drawings of the neighbour’s dog, but the New York Times might disagree.

So, print out your social media photos. They will mean something to someone, since they mean something to you, but they could also mean something down the line.

In 1995 a then-struggling Canadian singer-songwriter by the name of Alanis Morrisette released her third album, Jagged Little Pill. The album went on to enjoy seismic success, spawning multiple hit singles, global chart success, selling over 30 million copies and influencing the pop-rock genre for generations to come. 

Jagged Little Pill saw Morrisette move away from the dance-pop that had dominated her first two albums to explore her angst and aggression at a wide range of topics ranging from failed relationships (You Oughta Know) and predatory men (Right Through You), to religion (Forgiven) and the population’s apathy towards the world we live in (Wake Up). One of the album’s most successful singles, Ironic, was the topic of a widespread linguistic debate on whether the lyrics to the song actually fit the definition of irony or was a malapropism on Morrisette’s part. 

Since its release in the mid-90s, Jagged Little Pill has consistently made ‘definitive album’ lists including the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and the book 1001 Albums to Hear Before You Die. Artists including P!nk, Michelle Branch, Kelly Clarkson and Katy Perry have cited the album as a major inspiration. It was in 2013 that news first broke that the album was being turned into a musical with Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Tom Kitt working on orchestrating the album for the stage. Almost 10 years later; Jagged Little Pill: The Musical is launching in the UK in the autumn, but what can audiences expect?

Jukebox musicals are dime a dozen in the modern theatrical landscape, designed to ignite the interests of the mass markets and the hordes of tourists in major cities who want to tick off ‘see a show’ from their bucket lists – think ABBA’s Mamma Mia!, Queen’s We Will Rock You, Jersey Boys based on the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and TINA: The Tina Turner Musical. 

This kind of musical tends to be a whistle-stop autobiographical tour through an artists’ life, from fighting the naysayers to global success, all done to the soundtrack of their biggest hits. Here’s where Jagged Little Pill intended to break the mould. This musical is not at all autobiographical and playwright Diablo Cody – who also wrote the screenplay for the 2007 film Juno – has instead decided to write an entirely original plot.

The musical follows a suburban American family trying to paint a picture-perfect facade, whilst caught in the crossfire of a multitude of contemporary and social issues. A mother trying to hide her reliance on opioids; a father addicted to pornography; a queer, activist daughter trying to force change on everything from climate change to gun violence; an image-conscious son dealing with the rape of a close friend. Every character is given a complex subplot that feeds into the Jagged Little Pill’s overarching narrative. 

Alongside the inclusion of the majority of Jagged Little Pill’s tracklist, the musical also uses songs from several of Morrisette’s other studio albums including “Thank U” from Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, “Hands Clean” from Under Rug Swept, “Unprodigal Daughter” from Feast on Scraps and two new songs written for the musical – ”Smiling” (which also featured on the singer’s most recent studio album Such Pretty Forks in the Road) and “Predator”. 

Jagged Little Pill opened on Broadway in 2019 to strong critic reviews, with many praising the performances, staging, choreography and score. “You Oughta Know” stopped the show at most performances, garnering rapturous applause and standing ovations from the audience – the performance by Lauren Patten earned a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress. However, some critics did take issue with the shoehorning of so many different social issues into the show. Rolling Stone described the musical as ‘overly woke’ and Vox called the musical ‘overstuffed’ – it even inspired a New York Times think piece entitled “Has Alanis Morissette Made the Most Woke Musical Since ‘Hair’?”.

UK audiences will soon be able to make up their own minds as Jagged Little Pill is set to make its West End premiere in November 2022. It has been announced that most of the Broadway creative team, including director Diane Paulus, will be working on the show’s West End run. It begs the question – is the London theatre scene ready to be ‘woke’ up or is this musical simply “Uninvited”?

The transformation of a house is one of the most remarkable. When designing or renovating your home, keep in mind that it’s one of the most personal investments you’ll ever make. Since custom home renovation and extensions can take many forms, you should have no trouble finding a solution that meets your requirements and your budget.

Different Methods

Renovation

Consider remodeling if your house is in good shape. Because you don’t have to build anything new, remodeling an existing space will save you money. A two-story addition, on the other hand, allows for more square footage and more amenities.

It’s still possible, however, to update your home while maintaining its original integrity by employing the custom house renovation Sydney method.

Extension

It is possible to get more space for your money by adding an extension to your current house, but this isn’t the best option for everyone. If you’ve already laid the foundation for your house and have enough space on your property, this might be an excellent option for you. 

It is possible to get more space for your money by adding an extension to your current house, but this isn’t the best option for everyone. If you’ve already laid the foundation for your house and have enough space on your property, this might be an excellent option for you. However, before proceeding with an extension project, it is essential to consult with experienced professionals such as general contractors CT. They can assess your property, evaluate the feasibility of an extension, and provide expert guidance throughout the process. Working with general contractors ensures that the project is executed efficiently, adheres to local building codes and regulations, and meets your specific requirements and budget. With their expertise, you can achieve the desired expansion and create a more spacious and functional home.

Preparation is the key to success

Consult with local officials to determine what permits are required before beginning any construction. In addition, you should think about how your home’s appearance and resale value will be affected by the renovation or extension.

Consider hiring a professional architect who can help you plan a functional layout while keeping in mind the aesthetics of your neighborhood. After all, it would be wonderful if that new kitchen had a view of the surrounding area.

Financing

Financing options will vary depending on the scope of your project. It’s possible to contract out your work, but there are other options that might be more suitable for you.

There are some situations where buying someone else’s custom home renovation and extension project may be more cost-effective than starting from scratch.

Licensed Expertise

Consult with a qualified professional for guidance on the best approach before beginning any work. They can give you advice on what materials and techniques are best for your project, as well as information on local prices and rules.

What’s Next?

If you know where to look, there are a plethora of resources available for custom home renovation and expansion ideas. The Internet is your friend, so don’t forget to take advantage of it for inspiration or to get in touch with potential contractors! Check here for more information.

What are the advantages of having a custom home built?

Reduces Anxiety

Often, remodeling or expanding a home is a stressful endeavor. You should stick with what you’ve got if you have enough room. By simply adding an extension to your existing home rather than starting from scratch, custom renovations can alleviate all of that stress.

Enhances Usability

Remodeling an unoccupied area of your home can benefit greatly from a custom house renovation.

Boosts the resale value

A custom home renovation or extension can increase the resale value of your property, as was previously stated. However, you should take into consideration the layout of your current property before making any major changes.

Space is Expanded

Adding square footage to your home is an excellent idea if your children have moved out and you find yourself with more space than you know what to do with.

Final Note

When it comes to this topic, there are numerous ways to approach it. Adding a room to your home is an excellent option if you need more space but don’t want to invest a lot of time or effort in the process.