Scrap Book 4

Well at first it drew my attention because it is a bright red neon sign staring me in the face every time I walk down the hall to exit Dorchester.  Then I noticed it because I realized that, well, I don't think I would call it a work of art.  Though it is the tangible manifestation of an individual's hard work, his inspiration to build this object, I do not think it's art.  Every individual is unique, and so this force of inspiration, that compels the individual to create this work, works through each individual in a unique way.  And so an individuals work, to be called art, will be totally and truly his, perhaps with great influence from another source.  But in some way, he will be able claim it as his work, the work of his laboring hands, as well as the work of his creative mind.  

I do not know how many exit signs are in the world, but I know that there are two in my hallway alone, and besides that one is red and one green, they are completely identical.  Such entities have been made in the millions, all alike, so that they are uniform in their message.  The man who built this did not use any originality, and thus it is not art.  Most likely, they are no longer built by men, but rather by machines.  Even if it is not art, these exit signs are actually very important to the safety of individuals in our society.  Though we probably don't notice them half the time, because they are everywhere, it seems that in time of distress or danger they could become extremely helpful to survival, if thats the case.