Abstract Art - why talk about it if you don't get it.

[i-need-a-martini]

I volunteer at a regional gallery and get to meet some wonderful, weird and wacky people.

But the ones that get up my goat are the ones who say "That looks like something a 5 year old would do." and expect me to agree with them.

And whilst we have a lot of community exhibitions that are amateurish enough (so perhaps the comment may be fair enough), the comment is usually reserved for iconic artists in major travelling exhibitions who are extremely well known.

Does anyone here like abstract art? And if you really hate it, why?

[poddster]

Could one of you very knowledgeable people please explain to me why any art work in any art form needs explanation to the observer?

Surely art is an expression that should have atheistic appeal to the observer or listener ans should not need any explanation to the observer or listener, it either appeals or it does not appeal. As an observer I do not need to be told what appeals to me and the art work is certainly not going to alter in any way, shape or form no matter how much someone would like it to.

The notion that the observer is either uneducated, unaware, foolish or stupid is insulting.

I fail to see why anyone should be instructed on what to like or dislike

For instance Blue Poles has not changed in any way in it's entire existence and it has been discussed for years, neither has any other painting, music, literature, poem, architecture or any thing created in the name of art.

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

[gleee58]

I fail to see why anyone should be instructed on what to like or dislike

Where did you get the idea that anyone said people need to be instructed on what to like or not to like?

The notion that the observer is either uneducated, unaware, foolish or stupid is insulting.

SO drop the notion then.  

The extra information about art works can add a fascinating new dimension.  It's not complusory to listen to or read the guides, but does add to the experience.

[gleee58]

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@poddster wrote:

For instance Blue Poles has not changed in any way in it's entire existence and it has been discussed for years, neither has any other painting, music, literature, poem, architecture or any thing created in the name of art.

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Where does that idea come from?

Some paintings have been completed, then added to and added to again after many years. Music is reproduced all the time, literature is republished, architecture is modified.  There are no rules that say art must never be edited, changed, improved, added to.

[rabbitearbandicoot]

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@gleee58 wrote:

I fail to see why anyone should be instructed on what to like or dislike

Where did you get the idea that anyone said people need to be instructed on what to like or not to like?

The notion that the observer is either uneducated, unaware, foolish or stupid is insulting.

SO drop the notion then.  

The extra information about art works can add a fascinating new dimension.  It's not complusory to listen to or read the guides, but does add to the experience.

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tell me - these guides or recordings - who have they been made by? I would bet so called 'art experts'? So, what is their agenda?

These books/recordings are designed to 'brainwash' you by telling you someone's opinion (not the artist's) on what the picture is about and what the artist had in mind at the time. So, what you are telling me is that the 'expert' is also psychic?

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

Still 

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

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@rabbitearbandicoot wrote:

tell me - these guides or recordings - who have they been made by? I would bet so called 'art experts'? So, what is their agenda?

These books/recordings are designed to 'brainwash' you by telling you someone's opinion (not the artist's) on what the picture is about and what the artist had in mind at the time. So, what you are telling me is that the 'expert' is also psychic?

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You cant be serious.

What, you think artists dont keep diaries, journals, that while alive they arent interviewed?

Books arent written about them, movies arent made?

Theres no conspiracy- you can listen, or read or watch whatever you like, and you can look and decide for yourself.

Its up to you. 

Is there something Im missing with the regular use of quotation marks?

[poddster]

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@youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit wrote:

Still 

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Once you get over you fit of uncomfortable mirth you might like to address my post in a more traditional manner 🙂

[gleee58]

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@rabbitearbandicoot wrote:

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@gleee58 wrote:

I fail to see why anyone should be instructed on what to like or dislike

Where did you get the idea that anyone said people need to be instructed on what to like or not to like?

The notion that the observer is either uneducated, unaware, foolish or stupid is insulting.

SO drop the notion then.  

The extra information about art works can add a fascinating new dimension.  It's not complusory to listen to or read the guides, but does add to the experience.

---

tell me - these guides or recordings - who have they been made by? I would bet so called 'art experts'? So, what is their agenda?

These books/recordings are designed to 'brainwash' you by telling you someone's opinion (not the artist's) on what the picture is about and what the artist had in mind at the time. So, what you are telling me is that the 'expert' is also psychic?

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Who said they not the artist's? Artists often tell the story of their works.

And no, I'm not telling you anything of the sort.  Don't you get sick of rewriting other people's comments to fit your own argument?

[janeababe]

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@gleee58 wrote:

I fail to see why anyone should be instructed on what to like or dislike

Where did you get the idea that anyone said people need to be instructed on what to like or not to like?

The notion that the observer is either uneducated, unaware, foolish or stupid is insulting.


^^^^^  this has been implied over and over again all through this topic, by those who THINK they have far greater art apreciation skills than others.

SO drop the notion then.  

The extra information about art works can add a fascinating new dimension.  It's not complusory to listen to or read the guides, but does add to the experience.

EXACTLY!

 ...however, according to the OP, if you dont do your homework, and/or listen to the guides, then you may as well go and look at art in Ikea! (you know, the place all the uneducated, unaware, foolish or stupid people go to look at ART!)

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