“Once, Picasso was asked what his paintings meant. He said, “Do you ever know what the birds are singing? You don’t. But you listen to them anyway.” So, sometimes with art, it is important just to look.”
Marina Abramović
Once again the pondering turns to art, and the notion of whether or not we really need to know or understand art in order to enjoy it.
Oftentimes we don't need to understand or know in order to appreciate and enjoy art I think - it is enough that we respond, whether positively or negatively. The artist has done their job by conveying a message which we have received.
Sometimes understanding the background to a piece of work definitely adds to the appreciation of the work - to know why somebody did something; to know the conditions they made it under; or the inspiration for it, can really add to your response; perhaps take it to another level.
Perhaps it takes looking from response/appreciation to understanding...
An Australian song bird, sitting on it's bottom, not in an old gum tree...
Marina Abramović
Once again the pondering turns to art, and the notion of whether or not we really need to know or understand art in order to enjoy it.
Oftentimes we don't need to understand or know in order to appreciate and enjoy art I think - it is enough that we respond, whether positively or negatively. The artist has done their job by conveying a message which we have received.
Sometimes understanding the background to a piece of work definitely adds to the appreciation of the work - to know why somebody did something; to know the conditions they made it under; or the inspiration for it, can really add to your response; perhaps take it to another level.
Perhaps it takes looking from response/appreciation to understanding...
An Australian song bird, sitting on it's bottom, not in an old gum tree...
and isn't it funny how perception changes with time and place, the animisitic bronze water sculptures near Circular Quay were a favorite before I went to art school, when I was studying I thought they were trite, then a few years later I started enjoying them again!
ReplyDeleteIt is completely fascinating Mo - sometimes the more you learn, the less you know???
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