Tolstoy said that art must create an emotional link between artist and audience, one that 'infects' the viewer.
There's an unspoken arrangement in the exchange, I think, where people don't have to say "thanks" for reading this site, this blog, or my stories. The "thanks" is in the trip here, the four or five minute average when people click around to try and figure out what I'm about. The "thanks" is in the referral to friends to "check out this site by this writer I know."
It's always nice if someone says something, but no one has to participate at all to make this exchange work.
The Heavy Weight of Art
The onus is on me, as the artist, to communicate clearly and effectively. My art must tell the reader who I am, why I am here and why you should care at all.
Is it art if there's no audience?
I don't believe that there can be art without an audience, but I also don't believe you should make art for an audience. Luckily, we live in a time when there are not as many filters for the audience/artist relationship anymore. Technology has removed the barrier, and now people can seek out the art and artist before the critic.
While it's not art unless someone appreciates it, marvels at it, etc., artists should not concern themselves with who will be there to find it.
Never forget that there is no more important responsibility than to create good art.
If you build it, they will come.
What are you building today?