I didn't initially respond to the exchange below because I assumed when William said he found some criticism "aesthetically interesting" he did not have in mind what I did when I mentioned "occasioning an aesthetic experience". To answer Chris's question, No -- I have never derived an "aesthetic experience" from a critic's commentary, though I've certainly found much of it interesting.
In a message dated 10/10/08 9:35:12 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > William is not disagreeing with Cheerskeep -- he is just reporting that he > has found some "criticism to be as worthwhile aesthetically as experiencing > artworks directly." > > Which is also an interesting fact -- and also leads me to wonder whether > anyone else might say the same. > > So -- let's put both questions on the table. > > 1. Has expert advice ever caused you to derive an aesthetic experience from > a > work that did not occasion it before ? > > 2. Have you ever found ever found criticism to be as worthwhile > aesthetically > as experiencing artworks directly? > > > And regarding that second question -- I would have to answer "yes" > > Not that criticism has ever been as worthwhile aesthetically to me as my > favorite works have been -- but I have often found it as worthwhile -- or > even > more so ----than the works to which it refers. (as when a sharp reviewer > trashes a movie that I found dull -- or when a literary critic is writing > about poetry written in a language I can't read.) > > > > My response is I disagree with Cheerskep's proclamation. I find reading > good > literature and criticism to be as worthwhile aesthetically as experiencing > artworks directly. Camille Paglia's criticism of Emily Dickinson is one > example. I chose that example because I can't be accused of liking just > what > is similar to my own aesthetic and because I'm interested in what Cheerskep > thinks of the critiques of Dickinson, his favorite "cherishable" poet. > ************** New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002)
