I've made a couple of posts now about understanding what some might call "weird" art. The kind of stuff that many people will look at in galleries or art museums and only be able to think, "Why on earth would anyone consider this to be art?" or "My infant child could make that." or "Is that poop...?" I plan on continuing this discussion for quite awhile, if for no other reason than I think it's interesting, as it's been only recently that I've stopped scoffing in disdain when I see art like this. (Except Jackson Pollack. I just can't stomach smiling at a Jackson Pollack.)
However, it's occurred to me that perhaps I should first discuss WHY I think it's important that people are able to appreciate all kinds of art.
Notice that the word up there that I used: appreciate. You don't have to love it. You don't have to even really understand it. But I think that everyone should be able to stand in front of a Chagal, for example, and be able to think about it. Talk about it with other people. That's right, you heard me: I am giving you full permission to not like art.
However, it's occurred to me that perhaps I should first discuss WHY I think it's important that people are able to appreciate all kinds of art.
Notice that the word up there that I used: appreciate. You don't have to love it. You don't have to even really understand it. But I think that everyone should be able to stand in front of a Chagal, for example, and be able to think about it. Talk about it with other people. That's right, you heard me: I am giving you full permission to not like art.
Back to my Jackson Pollack example. I can't stand it. And I feel like there's so much out there like it anymore. I think people grasp onto its "cool"ness for all they're worth because it's easy. They sound like awesome people as they pretend-reluctantly confess their admiration for this "genius" artist, and if anyone tries to argue with them, they just scoff nasally that, "if you have to ask, you don't get it."
However, whenever I read about the guy, and what was going on at the time, and what his intentions were, it can actually be - dare I say it - interesting.
But then I look at it and just think, "Gracious, some dude just LITERALLY slung paint all over this canvas like a freaking CAVEMAN and now these puppies are selling for millions of dollars. Millions. Of. Dollars." I freaking hate it. As Craig, from Parks and Recreation would say, "One guy described himSELF as Jackson POLLACK-ESQUE and I told him that's FINGER PAINTING FOR ADULTS AND I HATE IT."
Precious.
Anyway, though, this post is not about Jackson Pollack. Maybe I'll do one of those someday, but not yet.
The point I've been trying to make is this: I think that most people are fully capable of not enjoying basketball in the slightest, but can recognize when a player is truly talented. We can despise opera, but notice when someone has a beautiful voice. We can avoid a certain genre of film or literature or food or interior decoration, but still be aware of when it is done well.
Perhaps it is because what people think of when they hear the word "art"is so detached from many of our daily lives, but I find that if a person passes a painting or sculpture or some such thing that they don't personally like or understand, they immediately dismiss it as bad or funny or pretentious. And this is what I'm hoping to start to change in people. Art serves a very unique and strange role in our society. I believe that it is perceived as a superfluous aspect of life that is in actuality immensely necessary. There is art in so many places where we don't even see it, and even the art that hides in museums and personal collections would leave a huge void, if it were to suddenly cease to exist, even in the lives of people who would happily live out their days without glancing at it once.
I feel as though I keep getting off topic. To answer the question that was posed in the very title of this post, I believe that you should put in the effort to be able to look at art because it's important. It has such a massive impact on culture, society, and history, that we simply can't ignore it.
All I'm asking is that you look at it, and consider what you're looking at rather than dismissing it immediately.
End of rant.
Thanks as always,
Sarah
However, whenever I read about the guy, and what was going on at the time, and what his intentions were, it can actually be - dare I say it - interesting.
But then I look at it and just think, "Gracious, some dude just LITERALLY slung paint all over this canvas like a freaking CAVEMAN and now these puppies are selling for millions of dollars. Millions. Of. Dollars." I freaking hate it. As Craig, from Parks and Recreation would say, "One guy described himSELF as Jackson POLLACK-ESQUE and I told him that's FINGER PAINTING FOR ADULTS AND I HATE IT."
Precious.
Anyway, though, this post is not about Jackson Pollack. Maybe I'll do one of those someday, but not yet.
The point I've been trying to make is this: I think that most people are fully capable of not enjoying basketball in the slightest, but can recognize when a player is truly talented. We can despise opera, but notice when someone has a beautiful voice. We can avoid a certain genre of film or literature or food or interior decoration, but still be aware of when it is done well.
Perhaps it is because what people think of when they hear the word "art"is so detached from many of our daily lives, but I find that if a person passes a painting or sculpture or some such thing that they don't personally like or understand, they immediately dismiss it as bad or funny or pretentious. And this is what I'm hoping to start to change in people. Art serves a very unique and strange role in our society. I believe that it is perceived as a superfluous aspect of life that is in actuality immensely necessary. There is art in so many places where we don't even see it, and even the art that hides in museums and personal collections would leave a huge void, if it were to suddenly cease to exist, even in the lives of people who would happily live out their days without glancing at it once.
I feel as though I keep getting off topic. To answer the question that was posed in the very title of this post, I believe that you should put in the effort to be able to look at art because it's important. It has such a massive impact on culture, society, and history, that we simply can't ignore it.
All I'm asking is that you look at it, and consider what you're looking at rather than dismissing it immediately.
End of rant.
Thanks as always,
Sarah