Is this art?

[hustlervibes]

I'm working on a term project @ Artcenter and I'd just like a few varied opinions. Any sort of response would be greatly appreciated.

First off.... What is your idea of "ART"?
What limitations are drawn on what is art and what isn't?
Are there any guidelines?
Is it worth public funding from the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts)?



Here are a few examples:





Costa Rican artist Guillermo Habacuc Vargas tethers a starving dog to the corner of his exhibit gallery with dog biscuits just out of reach. The dog remained in the gallery until death, with no water or food to sustain it. His initial statement was that he was doing it in honor of a burgular that had been killed by guard dogs. Following that, he changed his statement so that it was to make people aware of the plight of street dogs in Costa Rica. Here's a video for anyone who might be more interested or want more info.
YouTube - DYING DOG AS ART?!?! Guillermo Vargas Habacuc!!!



Piss Christ is a controversial photograph by American photographer Andres Serrano. It depicts a small plastic crucifix submerged in a glass of the artist's urine. The piece was a winner of the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art's "Awards in the Visual Arts" competition,which is sponsored in part by $15,000 of the tax-payer funded National Endowment for the Arts, a United States Government agency that offers support and funding for artistic projects.