A work of art is an idea expressed creatively (among many other things). And the creative expression itself represents a different idea, provokes a new thought. The process is art -- that notion is the basis of modern art -- the subject of the painting is not the thing represented... but the thing itself, the materials, the process applied.
Try defining the word, irony. Not easy. So... "A state of affairs, an event or expression that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result." See David Letterman. Complicity between him and his audience, a wink that indicates the following: "I'll say or do something some unsophisticated person might think is funny, something that we the initiated know is not funny. I'll do it as if it's funny. That will be funny. Stupid pet tricks. There is always an implied "as if." A wink.
There's another meaning of the word "irony": reaching a desired end through means that should not get you there -- getting to the right place despite taking the wrong path. Here is what's not one single bit ironic: every event named in Alanis Morrisette's song, "Ironic." Raining on a wedding day is not ironic. A black fly in your chardonay is not ironic. Winning the lottery and dying the next day is not ironic. Just bad luck. Ironic would be getting married in San Diego rather than Seattle to avoid rain, then having it rain in San Diego. She must be embarrassed by now... I hope.
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