I think the idea that art 'satisfies' is silly anyway. It is linked to the idea that art exists merely to be a source of 'pleasure'. Who but the stereotype 'aesthete' thinks that any longer?
DA On Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 6:18 PM, Chris Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > 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." > > > > > > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________ > Planning for retirement? Click for free information on 401(k) plans. > http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2231/fc/Ioyw6ijlfGveDCakIGXU3ApLuo6ZQX > sRQYauz5u40IfP8lrOyRy3eE/ > > -- Derek Allan http://www.home.netspeed.com.au/derek.allan/default.htm
