First I would like to willingly admit that this was a difficult read and some of it went over my head and other parts way over. However to from what I did gather Susan Songtag is sick and tired of art being overrun with utter nonsense that distracts us from the real "thing."
She gives a bunch of background information on how art has been believed and used within interpretation all the way back to Plato's and Aristotle's day. She quotes Plato “imitation of an imitation.” This seems pretty point on when we see a film or work of art nowadays. For example Damien Hirst's Shark. His formaldehyde creation of a dead sea creature. Strange? Yes. Controversial? Definitely. Exciting and Revolutionary for some? I would agree. However, if your daring, by what he has done could even throw a third "imitation" in Plato's saying.
She also has a problem with artists and others constantly digging and digging among art. With their, "refusal to leave the work of art alone." She makes her argument that we want to hammer and chip at a work of art because we are nervous of its capacity that we feel at ease with the interpretation of it. If I have hit on this point correctly, I would say that I agree with this notion. Simple art that lets you just wander your mind without convoluted thoughts of such nonsenses is much more true art.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment