In the context, “art” is used to signify something that has little or no definable purpose, fights against the inexorable tides of capitalism and the market, and has no essential value. The provocative headline isn’t backed up by anything, turning “art” into a term used to cast doubt on something — in this case, a company. The writer could call the valuation of Tumblr overblown, call it illogical, or call the investors misguided — but don’t call it art.
Is Tumblr Just an Art Project?
Perhaps Forbes was implying a “Vanity” project. The writer of this article is accurate in differentiating between Tumblr and “Art”. In some ways Tumblr is bigger and smaller than “Art”. I think it is certainly more practical than most of the art that I like. However, like even the most successful businesses it will come and go in a way that the best art may not. I hope people are preserving the culture that they are making in and with and around tumblr…there may be quite a bit of art in it, particularly an art made from sequencing , juxtaposition, and intertextuality.
(via notational)