This thread can go on for ages. In the late 90's a piece of string hanging from a hook with a simple knot in it sold for $40,000. I saw a set of 12 bricks arranged in a pattern at the MOMA, that was considered art.
Is a late renaissance set of parade armor art, of course it is, beautiful hand made musical instraments are art, the fact that they also may be played to make music is simply is simply a plus.
A loveingly crafted bicycle frame is definatly a work of art, a few of them lately are a bit too roccoco to my eye, but that's personal. What impresses me lately are builders making their own lugs, no wonder they have a hard time making ends meet. The average individul has no clue about what it takes to weld chromemoly tubing together, use files, drills and finally sandpaper to produce a lug. Then it has to be fixtured up and brazed to tubing and then be filed and sanded again.
Last year I watched Peter Johnson build the stem for Guy's bike, it IS a work of art. It's too bad there are not enough patrons of frame building to keep these artist's in the black.
I'm going back to building a coffee table for my wife.
Jim McCoin
Fremont Ca.