I'm sure some variation of this has been done before surely (the video game Okami is as close as I can imagine), but I am working on novel right now where art manifests itself as magic. It works like this: the better artist one is, the stronger the magic.
The magic feeds off of peoples' emotion to it, much as illusions do. If the art is erratic and out of control, so will the magic be. If it is delicate and done with precision, then it is more focused magic, able to be manipulated by the Artist. Yet without people to see the Art, it has no effect. It's just a painting. Therefore Artists may keep followers around them at all times. Admirers, critics, bodyguards, whoever they wish. The most powerful Artists would be the ones with the most "fans." Or at least those who couldn't help but marvel at their skill.
A modern day analogy would be "liking" something on Facebook or Youtube. The more positive reaction to the art, the stronger it becomes. Feeding off peoples' approval. Or on the other hand, their fear. As long as it is a real emotion.
Art also can counter other art. Think of it like a graffiti artist tagging a wall. An Artist can create a wall of flame. If another Artist wants to counteract the wall of flame, they may create a giant wave crashing down on it. Essentially, "painting" over it.
The weakness of this kind of magic is that it is totally dependent on opinions of those who see it. The way this style of magic works is kind of like how illusions do. If an illusion is unbelievable, then it doesn't work. Same for this kind of magic.
In this society, Artists are trained and well respected and feared. They follow classical styles of art. But of course there would be those Artists who did not follow these standards who could be dangerous in their unpredictability.
The world was shaped by art and thus can be constantly changed by the Artists who rule it. A Kingdom that once was a desert may transform into a beautiful forest, if those in charge so choose it. A "vandalist" may corrupt a piece of the forest by making it into distorted black hole or a burnt out husk. These types of Artists would be dangerous en masse.
I imagine Artists doing battles with reams of paper and paint, easels and banners, oils and watercolors. I'm thinking of even taking it in a sort of comedic way. It lends itself to both serious and comedic paths I think.
Anyway, I'm still working out the details with it. Do you think it could work? Any thoughts would be appreciated!
The magic feeds off of peoples' emotion to it, much as illusions do. If the art is erratic and out of control, so will the magic be. If it is delicate and done with precision, then it is more focused magic, able to be manipulated by the Artist. Yet without people to see the Art, it has no effect. It's just a painting. Therefore Artists may keep followers around them at all times. Admirers, critics, bodyguards, whoever they wish. The most powerful Artists would be the ones with the most "fans." Or at least those who couldn't help but marvel at their skill.
A modern day analogy would be "liking" something on Facebook or Youtube. The more positive reaction to the art, the stronger it becomes. Feeding off peoples' approval. Or on the other hand, their fear. As long as it is a real emotion.
Art also can counter other art. Think of it like a graffiti artist tagging a wall. An Artist can create a wall of flame. If another Artist wants to counteract the wall of flame, they may create a giant wave crashing down on it. Essentially, "painting" over it.
The weakness of this kind of magic is that it is totally dependent on opinions of those who see it. The way this style of magic works is kind of like how illusions do. If an illusion is unbelievable, then it doesn't work. Same for this kind of magic.
In this society, Artists are trained and well respected and feared. They follow classical styles of art. But of course there would be those Artists who did not follow these standards who could be dangerous in their unpredictability.
The world was shaped by art and thus can be constantly changed by the Artists who rule it. A Kingdom that once was a desert may transform into a beautiful forest, if those in charge so choose it. A "vandalist" may corrupt a piece of the forest by making it into distorted black hole or a burnt out husk. These types of Artists would be dangerous en masse.
I imagine Artists doing battles with reams of paper and paint, easels and banners, oils and watercolors. I'm thinking of even taking it in a sort of comedic way. It lends itself to both serious and comedic paths I think.
Anyway, I'm still working out the details with it. Do you think it could work? Any thoughts would be appreciated!