One reason why this topic is so difficult to discuss --- is that it's usually
not clear just who is being satisfied.
So... when William writes:
"I think the aesthetic rush one gets from "abstraction" etc etc"---
we might wonder -- to which *one* is he referring ?
Himself ?
Anyone ?
Or --- one who is especially perceptive/sensitive/well-educated/whatever ?
No one really wants to focus on her own, personal satisfaction -- because, how
solipsistic is that! (although -- I wish more posters would -- since I find
that sort of the comment to often be the most valuable)
And no one here can claim any expertise in sociological or psychological
research -- so we're not really qualified to comment on what most people or
any people are feeling.
But -- it's also quite problematic to stick one's neck out -- and make
assertions about what the best feelers should be feeling. How arrogant is
that!
And so - the best strategy is to avoid all three approaches -- by conflating
them all at once.
****
And now -- for your entertainment -- I offer this journalistic response to
"abstract art" -- from back in the day (1915) when it was considered new
rather than canonically approved: (the writer is Gene Morgan, of the Chicago
Daily News)
"Imagine a picture which looks like nothing, yet everything, and which is
entitled "Michigan Avenue between Adams Street and 5 O'clock" At first glance
you might think it was a soup can in a heavy blizzard. A second glance would
almost convince you that it was J.P.McEvoy's new car embracing a barber's pole
with its front wheels.
You see, you can never tell what a futurist painting represents. Thats where
the fun comes in.
Generally, it represents its title like a congressman represents his
consitits.
A futurist painting presents not ideas, but thought harmonies, soul tones and
notes sounded by the vibrant emotions (It isn't every day you read stuff like
that)
The harmonies conveyed by these paintings are various. Each painting is an
orchestra in itself.
One picture may be entitled "Golf Lynx calling its mate" You look at the
picture and then you think you're hearing a fife and drum corps passing a
sawmill.
Another painting is named "The Furniture Mover's Lament". You don't see any
furniture, but you think you hear a piano being assaulted by a cabaret artist
who has just been fed meat. Still another masterpiece in a gold frame is
entitled "Silent prayer" It looks like a big squidge of yellow paint, but it
listens like a circus band leading the second
division of the parade, with the steam calliope whistling for coal around the
corner."
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