Great article! I think the point about thinking of art as ‘demanding propaganda’ really illustrates a great problem with the way art is being consumed in our culture nowadays.. like, people are quite ready to jump to synopsis of movies and form their opinion on whether they agree with the narrative or not, without allowing themselves to experience the narrative.
This is a wonderfully sensitive look at the value of art. It reminded me of what Kundera said of the way novels (and here we can include cinema and all art) stand against tyranny:
“The novel is the imaginary paradise of individuals. It is the territory where no one possesses the truth, neither Anna nor Karenin, but where everybody has the right to be understood, both Anna and Karenin.”
It’s in the affirmation of the individual that art stands against totalitarianism, which attempts to negate the individual by subordinating her to an ideology. In its celebration of pluralism and in transcending absolutes, art stands against the tyrannies of certainty.
An excellent article and the first one I’ve ever felt compelled to print out so I could go over it with a highlighter. This hits on so many questions I’ve struggled with. Thank you.
This is an excellent article! I am going to have to read it again. It is packed with paragraphs I want to quote and sentences I want to write down. Thank you for putting this together!
Marvelous article. Thank you. I found myself wondering if some artists would consider changing just one or two minds is enough. Don’t they say it’s better to create for one person in particular instead of the masses?
I create a weekly story based radio show that explores contemporary issues through dark fantasy and a medieval setting. Your point about perspective over argument resonated with me. It’s very tempting to write about how you think the world should be, more challenging to consider multiple perspectives to a given situation - but perhaps that’s how we can truly come to understand each other.
Always a joy dipping into your perspectives, Thomas, thank you.
Fascinating essay, and so well-articulated. Also, it's telling that when I got to the part about conveying perspectives and revolutionary art, I instinctually thought of Paddington 2.
Nicely done. Quite brilliant in fact.
Great article! I think the point about thinking of art as ‘demanding propaganda’ really illustrates a great problem with the way art is being consumed in our culture nowadays.. like, people are quite ready to jump to synopsis of movies and form their opinion on whether they agree with the narrative or not, without allowing themselves to experience the narrative.
This is a wonderfully sensitive look at the value of art. It reminded me of what Kundera said of the way novels (and here we can include cinema and all art) stand against tyranny:
“The novel is the imaginary paradise of individuals. It is the territory where no one possesses the truth, neither Anna nor Karenin, but where everybody has the right to be understood, both Anna and Karenin.”
It’s in the affirmation of the individual that art stands against totalitarianism, which attempts to negate the individual by subordinating her to an ideology. In its celebration of pluralism and in transcending absolutes, art stands against the tyrannies of certainty.
An excellent article and the first one I’ve ever felt compelled to print out so I could go over it with a highlighter. This hits on so many questions I’ve struggled with. Thank you.
Glad it resonated Jordan! Highly recommend Berger's essays if you connected with this.
This is an excellent article! I am going to have to read it again. It is packed with paragraphs I want to quote and sentences I want to write down. Thank you for putting this together!
Marvelous article. Thank you. I found myself wondering if some artists would consider changing just one or two minds is enough. Don’t they say it’s better to create for one person in particular instead of the masses?
I create a weekly story based radio show that explores contemporary issues through dark fantasy and a medieval setting. Your point about perspective over argument resonated with me. It’s very tempting to write about how you think the world should be, more challenging to consider multiple perspectives to a given situation - but perhaps that’s how we can truly come to understand each other.
Always a joy dipping into your perspectives, Thomas, thank you.
Fascinating essay, and so well-articulated. Also, it's telling that when I got to the part about conveying perspectives and revolutionary art, I instinctually thought of Paddington 2.