I love this essay, it rings true. Enjoyment of art may be an expression of persona or just an act of curiosity and enjoyment, but to have it become the entire persona, like a cobbled-together ransom note from 50 different magazines.... that's dangerous.
Side note, I once had coffee with someone who had dated a person he described as "perfect" - but he'd dropped her when she admitted she didn't know who Pedro Almodovar was.
I appreciate the comment and kind words, Stephanie. That artistic preferences will create a convoluted, messy result is a really good point, and you gave the perfect image: "like a cobbled-together ransom note from 50 different magazines." I'm also fascinated by the idea of an "Almodovar" line for acceptability. I would actually think that 'not knowing' is more acceptable than 'disliking' if someone is making tests, as the the former can at least be changed?
Yeah, so much going on with the Almodovar line! Tests based on superficial likes and dislikes bother me to start with... and I imagine disliking Almodovar might have been perhaps a worse show-stopper than not knowing Almodovar... but I didn't stick around long enough to dig that deep! ;-)
THIS statement: "... the separation of problematic art ... the defining of offensive art—isn’t really pertinent to the art, but simply a reflection of the viewer, which is a bit like looking into a mirror and blaming the mirror for what you see." Comedian Ricky Gervais talks a lot about this regarding people who are offended by his humor. And, for this same reason, I do not worry about people unsubscribing from my Substack. Interesting topic, Charles, as always.
Thank you for the comment, Sharron. To my mind, that's certainly the right attitude in regard to unsubscribes—it also ensures that the people who remain are the most dedicated readers.
The viewer's mind and perception are the beginning and ending of taste. There is nothing..out there.. a painting, an essay, a tree are all part of an ever changing dance that we all participate in. Don't judge it so harshly, go with the flow, enjoy the swim.
I love this essay, it rings true. Enjoyment of art may be an expression of persona or just an act of curiosity and enjoyment, but to have it become the entire persona, like a cobbled-together ransom note from 50 different magazines.... that's dangerous.
Side note, I once had coffee with someone who had dated a person he described as "perfect" - but he'd dropped her when she admitted she didn't know who Pedro Almodovar was.
I appreciate the comment and kind words, Stephanie. That artistic preferences will create a convoluted, messy result is a really good point, and you gave the perfect image: "like a cobbled-together ransom note from 50 different magazines." I'm also fascinated by the idea of an "Almodovar" line for acceptability. I would actually think that 'not knowing' is more acceptable than 'disliking' if someone is making tests, as the the former can at least be changed?
Yeah, so much going on with the Almodovar line! Tests based on superficial likes and dislikes bother me to start with... and I imagine disliking Almodovar might have been perhaps a worse show-stopper than not knowing Almodovar... but I didn't stick around long enough to dig that deep! ;-)
THIS statement: "... the separation of problematic art ... the defining of offensive art—isn’t really pertinent to the art, but simply a reflection of the viewer, which is a bit like looking into a mirror and blaming the mirror for what you see." Comedian Ricky Gervais talks a lot about this regarding people who are offended by his humor. And, for this same reason, I do not worry about people unsubscribing from my Substack. Interesting topic, Charles, as always.
Thank you for the comment, Sharron. To my mind, that's certainly the right attitude in regard to unsubscribes—it also ensures that the people who remain are the most dedicated readers.
The viewer's mind and perception are the beginning and ending of taste. There is nothing..out there.. a painting, an essay, a tree are all part of an ever changing dance that we all participate in. Don't judge it so harshly, go with the flow, enjoy the swim.
Absolutely. Enjoying the swim is the right approach. Thank you for the comment, Brian.