Sam Spiczka
Posts:
1,671
From:
Sartell, MN
Registered:
Jul 20, 2001
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Re: Feedback on Articles
Posted:
May 26, 2005 10:54 AM
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Michael, I had thought to post the whole article but had a "copyright" hesitation. And distance makes the heart grow fonder I guess...
I understand the objection that art is subjective and difficult to quantify, but fine art is not alone in that regard. Any competition, sporting or otherwise, that relies on judges has a subjective component. Hell, even the strike-zone in baseball is subjective; that doesn't stop people from believing in strikes and balls.
I think the main problem is our general unwillingness in the art community to pass judgement. We seem to have largely given up the idea of good and bad. There is a great hesitation in polite circles to criticize. Instead, if we don't like something we don't say it's "bad," we say "oh well, it's not my cup o' tea but art is subjective."
I think it is a sign of health when judgments run rampant, even irrational ones. How many times have you overheard teens argue about which band was better? They fully identify with their favorite group and their judgment of them. When was the last time you heard teens argue about which contemporary painter or sculptor was the best? I'm guessing never because we don't encourage that type of free-for-all. We think art is too delicate to be criticized by the novice. But I think this creates a weakened art. And by the time professionals rise high enough for their opinion to be of "value", they have so identified with the structure that their assessments are more influenced by consolidating power than pushing for what is good.
Relatedly, I think we in the art community damage ourselves more than any outside forces do by tolerating bad work and bad artists. Instead of ruthlessly weeding out inferior work, we allow the weeds to grow. Finally, they choke off the sun from the actual flowers while our professional gardeners stand around and say to he passers-by "we meant to do that. Isn't it beautiful?" No, it's not. Even a child can see. And if a weed is actually a flower in disgise, the obstacle of negative judgment will force it to grow stronger or die. Health is not allowing everything to grow, health is pruning and cutting back in the service of the excellent.
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