A Review: What Art Does by Brian Eno & Bette A.

Just finished What Art Does by Brian Eno and Bette A. The book is small and has a hot pink cover. Don't let the cover or its size fool you, it packs a punch that causes us to reflect on why we make art and why art is both dangerous and safe. Their hypothesis is simple: art makes communities and communities bring people of like-minded interests together to create things they like, therefore being both dangerous and safe. The authors dive deep into this question of what we like as it drives what art does, which is bring people together. The Beatles never would have gotten together if John, Paul, and George all didn't like Eddie Cochran or Chuck Berry. Same goes for Brian Eno and Brian Ferry in Roxy Music, if they didn't like the Velvet Underground and David Bowie. What makes this little book great is that it causes you to think about why we make art. All too often we get caught up in process, without really thinking about the why? It is easier to focus on the newest gear, whether it be a guitar, a plugin, or pedal, than think about the why behind it? If the gear drives the art, like it did Eno in Roxy Music, fine. But if it is a mere distraction, then keep this little book nearby to remind you of why we do it.