Reading this post has led me to believe that perhaps the very notion of intrinsic greatest in art is itself but a construct to influence collective cultural aspirations. Change the cultural context and what is considered great changes. Sharing common background and cultural touchstones not only provides a roadmap to better understand the refinement, complexities and subtleties of a work, but also generates a sense of belonging to a group of insiders who “get it”. On an entirely different level, if an artist considers their work great because of the effort, ingenuity and skill applied, that’s valid. But if I don’t “get it”, it’s purported greatest only serves to make me feel excluded. I can choose to analyse the hell out of it and better appreciate it. Or not. It’s sort of like hearing a great joke but not getting it. Then someone explains it and you go hahaha. Tepid. Nothing like having grasped it yourself. To end this rambling comment, I will call on the famous saying that tells us that anything worth having is worth fighting for.
I wonder sometimes for whom writers write. I understand people have different tastes, but a writer may want their work to be accessible even in a niche genre. Although I also don't mind working my brain a little bit when reading a poem, then coming back to that poem, and it's a completely different interpretation.
Reading this post has led me to believe that perhaps the very notion of intrinsic greatest in art is itself but a construct to influence collective cultural aspirations. Change the cultural context and what is considered great changes. Sharing common background and cultural touchstones not only provides a roadmap to better understand the refinement, complexities and subtleties of a work, but also generates a sense of belonging to a group of insiders who “get it”. On an entirely different level, if an artist considers their work great because of the effort, ingenuity and skill applied, that’s valid. But if I don’t “get it”, it’s purported greatest only serves to make me feel excluded. I can choose to analyse the hell out of it and better appreciate it. Or not. It’s sort of like hearing a great joke but not getting it. Then someone explains it and you go hahaha. Tepid. Nothing like having grasped it yourself. To end this rambling comment, I will call on the famous saying that tells us that anything worth having is worth fighting for.
Now I know how Frodo felt going through Shelob's lair.....
I wonder sometimes for whom writers write. I understand people have different tastes, but a writer may want their work to be accessible even in a niche genre. Although I also don't mind working my brain a little bit when reading a poem, then coming back to that poem, and it's a completely different interpretation.
Oh, the pushback on this one! My mea culpa (not apologizing but def see how I flubbed) will post later today...