It's a tricky subject, at best, is Art. We've evolved enough to understand that it can convey a message, and that it need not always be beautiful.
But how do you distinguish between the conveyance of a message, and propaganda? How can you be sure of the distinction between a simple presentation of something as-is, and ugliness that is offered in the guise of art but is intended merely to offend?
I am reminded of the late Mapplethorpe(sp?) and the controversial work that made him a household name, Piss Christ. I vividly recall the uproar over the very notion of putting a crucifix, a symbol that is holy to millions of people throughout the world, into a bottle of urine and calling it Art. I also vividly recall seeing a photograph of the actual object: Jesus suffering on his cross, bathed in an almost magical-looking ocean of gentle gold. Seen as itself, it was truly beautiful.
I don't consider myself a Christian. Yet I was moved by that object of art.
There's no actual point I'm trying to make, here. It's just the best comparison I can think of. :-)
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2003-08-19 03:03 pm (UTC)It's a tricky subject, at best, is Art. We've evolved enough to understand that it can convey a message, and that it need not always be beautiful.
But how do you distinguish between the conveyance of a message, and propaganda? How can you be sure of the distinction between a simple presentation of something as-is, and ugliness that is offered in the guise of art but is intended merely to offend?
I am reminded of the late Mapplethorpe(sp?) and the controversial work that made him a household name, Piss Christ. I vividly recall the uproar over the very notion of putting a crucifix, a symbol that is holy to millions of people throughout the world, into a bottle of urine and calling it Art. I also vividly recall seeing a photograph of the actual object: Jesus suffering on his cross, bathed in an almost magical-looking ocean of gentle gold. Seen as itself, it was truly beautiful.
I don't consider myself a Christian. Yet I was moved by that object of art.
There's no actual point I'm trying to make, here. It's just the best comparison I can think of. :-)