Another thread got me wondering:

What is "edgy", and is it a good thing?

I'm thinking it means essentially "borderline offensive". Whether this is a good thing or not would be very subjective. Some love to be offended, some live for offending others. Both claim to be "expanding boundaries", although whether expanded boundaries is a good thing is also subjective.

Doug:

I think that you have taken a very narrow and conservative view of this. Edgy may be disturbing - but I think not offensive.

Much of the best art ever produced was considered very distubing when it was done - that is what pushes the envelope of a medium.

Why would expanding boundaries in art not be a good thing? Can art even live at all if it's boundaries are not being pushed?

Art is about expression - and expression is not a matter of replicating what has gone before or sticking within defined boundaries - that is anti-expression.

A better question is why people feel offended by honest expression.

Here is the Thesaurus to edgy" anxious, critical, excitable, excited, high-strung, impatient, irascible, irritable, keyed up, on edge, overstrung, restive, restless, skittish, tense, touchy, uneasy, uptight"

Taken from "dictionary.reference.com" "edg·y Audio pronunciation of edgy ( P ) Pronunciation Key (j)
adj. edg·i·er, edg·i·est

1. Nervous or irritable: The performers were edgy as they waited for the show to begin.
2. Having a sharp or biting edge: an edgy wit.
3. Daring, provocative, or trend-setting: an exhibition of edgy photographs; an edgy menu."

Do not see the word offensive here. However I see alot of what the thread subject matter indicated.

I looked at the site and found this individual to have achieved what Toad posted edgy. She has captured an array of emotion that maybe only a women can relate. I find the work surpurb photography (the best I've seen in a long time] along with photo art work done to enhance her.
Offended maybe you were but that is not the definintion of edgy. I find beauty in reality not fake happy land of OZ pictures. I can find OZ anytime I close my eyes to get away from the real world. Not everything is a caledar perfect picture. I like life and all that comes with it. It is how I learn and grow. By looking at her work I continue to learn and grow.

Jean

Hate to follow up with the dictionary - but have no choice.

OFFENSIVE:

fen·sive ( P ) Pronunciation Key (-fnsv)
adj.
Disagreeable to the senses: an offensive odor.
Causing anger, displeasure, resentment, or affront: an offensive gesture.

Making an attack: The offensive troops gained ground quickly.
Of, relating to, or designed for attack: offensive weapons.
(fn-) Sports. Of or relating to a team having possession of a ball or puck: the offensive line.

n.
An attitude or position of attack: go on the offensive in chess.
An attack or assault: led a massive military offensive.

These adjectives mean extremely unpleasant to the senses or feelings: an offensive remark; disgusting language; a loathsome disease; a nasty smell; a repellent demand; repulsive behavior; revolting food; vile thoughts.

I can think of other threads this can apply to.

Irritating, biting, provoking...sounds "disagreeable to the senses" to me :)

And don't forget I said "borderline". Jalopenos work by stimulating the pain sensors, scary movies trigger the fight or flight response, but I still love them.

Borderline???? Edgy still does not = 0FFENSIVE. That is an opinion not the deffinition. I like jalopenos and scary movies also but the habornaros are better!!!:D

Jean

Sounds like the word "offensive", even in context of "borderline" is offensive :)

But isn't the very "edge" that gives edgy it's name simply the boundary against which the "attitude or position of attack" is taken?

Nope

Perhaps. But I maintain that to push against that boundary is good.

Asya obviously feels a great deal - of pain, of confusion, of anger, of humiliation. Not pretty stuff - but Asya is an IMPORTANT artist.

I ask the question again. Why do her feelings offend?

"Borderline" or "Offensive" is not the feeling here. The true word shoud be "Opinion". Yours is true to you and mine is true to me. As I stated before maybe you need to be under 30 or a woman to see what the "TRUE" meaning of this art form abuse, abortion, gender discrimination, innocence, little girl and so on. I see all in her pictures. I said it before she is supurb, a true pioneer of todays youth. I am so happy that although my body is old my mind is young.

Jean

I have not visited that website yet, and this thread is not in response to it or any other site, or that thread. The post simply got me wondering about the nature of "edgy".

Oh...... Never mind.

Jean

Jean:

I am neither a woman or under 30 (I think - these Internet identities are so confusing).

Best
Toad

Well we have learned the definition of offensive and edgy tonight.

I would recommend visiting the site. She is a good artist.

and that Toad is not a woman or under 30 --- LOL

That is why one should always post a picture of themself! :D
Love ya!

Jean

So, back to the topic at hand...what is "edgy"? What is the "edge" that it refers to?

Is moving outward, attempting to move, or at least blurring that "edge" a good definition of edgy in this context? And if so, what would the opposite be?

Is it a good thing all the time in all circumstances?

Perhaps it's the edge of innocence?

Go visit the site - you will see the definition.

the opposite - sunny Florida

The opposite would be "Antonyms: calm, easygoing, laid-back, peaceful, relaxed, tranquil". In other words "Sunny Florida"

Jean

Here are a few things that were considered VERY edgy when they were done. Don't worry - there is nothing here that people have not seen before...

Just to illustrate the point - that pushing the envelope IS a good thing and that things that appear edgy today can appear quite mainstream a few years down the road. I think most people would agree that we are better off because these artists did edgy work when people were advising them against it.

http://www.ncmoa.org/collections/highlights/20thcentury/20th/1910-1950/039_lrg.shtml

http://www.globalgallery.com/enlarge.asp?print=bm-pf836

http://www.edu.uni-klu.ac.at/~mhornboe/munch/munsch.htm

http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/rodin/burghers3.jpg

http://www.fno.org/exhibits/Gargoyles/garg11.html

So if edgy is good, and "calm, easygoing, laid-back, peaceful, relaxed, tranquil" is its opposite, would that make "calm, easygoing, laid-back, peaceful, relaxed, tranquil" bad?

Nope - art isn't black and white like that.

What site are you guys talking about??

m

Margaret: No one site, just an investigative discussion into the nature of "edgy".

M:

the site that is being referred to in some messages in this thread is linked to in the thread titled "Asya Schween" in the salon.

"Edgy" is one of those meaningless modern catch phrases that no one can really define but everyone loves to use...I heard a pretty funny piece on NPR the other day about the rampant use of the phrase "slippery-slope" and no one can really define just what that means!

We could start a whole thread on meaningless phrases/words..."sketchy" (related to edgy?)..."Reality TV"...:D