Wearing: Art, the Body, and Distance

Why are the objects we place on our bodies not considered art? In this paper, I argue that distance between an object and the body is a criterion for a craft object to become an art object. Art objects are kept at a distance from most bodies. The distance is tightly maintained by the art world and used within the art world to control art and access to it. In the process, this distance defines an object as art. I present the case of jewelry – objects that do not transition from craft to art and are generally not accepted as art by the art world. I argue that this is because jewelry necessarily requires closeness between the body and the object, a violation of the rules of art. The argument I present here is relevant to questions of fashion and art.