Jacob posed the question about whether or not a human being can experience even moments where he or she is unbiased.This is an interesting thought exercise. Trying to imagine something that an individual can view without any bias seems initial absurd. One would have to be able to bracket away everything one knows about the object, a task that seems herculean. I suspect it is impossible to to do so.
However, this could lead to an interesting train of thought. Might there be some value lost in complete objectivity? To be biased, we must divorce our personal passions and previous experiences associated with the piece of art. Perhaps I'm incorrect in that assumption, but it seems to be without bias would be to exclude such things. Might that lessen the value of art? To observe that which is intended to move and evoke while trying to not be moved or to not experience biasing emotions seems silly, and less pleasurable. Maybe we must sacrifice pleasure for a better understanding of art. Though, I'd imagine that retaining the pleasure in Art is important as it is not simply hedonistic pleasure, but something deeper than that.
My question is: Is subjectivity in art appreciation a factor in it's enjoyment?
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Plato and Truth
Jacob posed a question about Plato's view about art and truth. The question outlined whether or not art can show truth, while being fictitious.
A possible reading of Plato could lead one to believe that since art is mimetic, it must also be false, or untrue. Art certainly deals with content that is often not true. (Fictions such as plays and poems, for example). However, this does not mean that art cannot explore and explain truths about the human condition. What moves us in Art reveals truths about ourselves. There is a pejorative connotation to art as mimetic that seems unfounded. So, art holds a mirror to humanity, fine. Is there nothing of value to be learned when looking at oneself in the mirror? The mirror of art allows us to see not just our physical characteristics, but the deeper aspects of our personality and self. Art reveals truths that are of the utmost importance.
A possible reading of Plato could lead one to believe that since art is mimetic, it must also be false, or untrue. Art certainly deals with content that is often not true. (Fictions such as plays and poems, for example). However, this does not mean that art cannot explore and explain truths about the human condition. What moves us in Art reveals truths about ourselves. There is a pejorative connotation to art as mimetic that seems unfounded. So, art holds a mirror to humanity, fine. Is there nothing of value to be learned when looking at oneself in the mirror? The mirror of art allows us to see not just our physical characteristics, but the deeper aspects of our personality and self. Art reveals truths that are of the utmost importance.
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