On art:

Just started reading The Methodologies of Art by Laurie Schneider Adams.  Thus far (I’m one chapter in), it’s one of the most interesting and compelling works on art I’ve ever read.  Here’s an excerpt of a story I adore, and a great example of why I love modern and contemporary art:

“At issue was a sleek bronze sculpture entitled Bird in Space, by the Romanian artist Constantin Brancusi.  The American photographer Edward Steichen had purchased the Bird in France and, on his return to the United States, he declared it to Customs as an original work of art. In American law, original works are exempt from import duty, but the Customs officer rejected Steichen’s claim.  The Bird, he said, was not ‘Art,’ and it entered the country under the category of ‘Kitchen Utensils and Hospital Supplies.’  Steichen had to pay six hundred dollars in tax.”
[Adams, 2-3]

If you were wondering, Steichen later sued and won his case, and Brancusi’s piece was reclassified as ‘Art.’

Fantastic.