[Memory serves poorly at best to string together the conversation that occurred, as I was in the room briefly and for another purpose. So I present to the reader a group of comments, as best I remember them.]
On the sublime.
That an artist, really, is speaking another language. And yet by some mystery we'll pass judgment on something we've never seen before in a mere five minutes, or even just a glance.
But we couldn't decide to love or hate another country after the first two hours there; at that point we've barely experienced it. It takes time to become in tune with ways, culture, language.
A challenge; to spend a whole hour with a piece one enjoys.
[This calls to mind the notion of meditating on something.]
A comment by a person who often spends five or ten minutes, this time spent twenty and was astonished and happy at what came of it, what new subtleties were discovered.
[This also calls to mind a favorite bowl. When I first saw it I was repelled by the apparent sloppiness, and illustration of a supermarket shelf. But as I saw it subsequently I became intrigued, and bought the bowl when it was for sale. It continued to intrigue me even as I came to appreciate the subtleties; this is not a piece easily grasped. But the time spent together becomes the key for appreciating it.]
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11 comments:
This reminds me of my writer friend who says, in order to be qualified to respond to a piece of writing, one must take it out for coffee, sit with it, ruminate, get to know it. Or, in another of her metaphors, a piece of writing is a house, and in order to respond, one must first go inside, explore the rooms, rummage in the attic, find the leaky pipes in the basement, find the patterns in the bathroom tiles, relish in the window treatments... etc... etc...
Is that true? If one looks at the art of the Third Reich, one can see the values of Hitler and his followers reflected in the art they sponsored. Yet, likely that art will not last because it reflected insanity and values such as eugenics the rest of the World rejected and subsequently destroyed. Likely the same is true for the art of the Communist U.S.S.R.
Great art transcends culture and speaks to something within every human being. It doesn't matter what country you come from or what language you speak, but Mozart or Beethoven will likely move you, Monet, Michealangelo, and Da Vinci will touch you.
But then, you are speaking of sublime art. Art that sneaks up on you. Art that is subtle and almost below conscious thought(?). Then again, perhaps I'm full of it and know nothing of what you are writing about. :) What is art? Is it different things to different people?
I've always said that the musical albums that I buy and hate on the first several listens end up being my favorites over the long run.
The ones that have immediate gratification after first and second listens wear out quickly.
What art thou? Where art thou, Jullie?
Shea, those are lovely thoughts from a thoughtful friend - thank you for sharing them!
John, is what true? Your comment seems to be tangential. I will argue that your definition of great art is not necessarily so, for not everyone has an equal capacity to hear. What is art - volumes are written in response to that question, and it cannot be addressed fairly here.
Trev, I very much appreciate that observation.
Seigfried. I'm glad you've ended the hiatus. Thank you.
Hi Julie,
I'm posting my answer here, makes it a bit easier :)
Well, I've had a very busy schedule and now, it's even worse, I have 4 exams on 5 days, variating from Medieval Literature crossing over Interior design, passing by Modern Art and finishing with Poetics.
I'm almost at the end my academic career. I'm in my 3rd Bachelor. Just one semester and then a Master year. But afterwards, I'm probably going to study another Master in Economics (one year). So yes, I'm a busy bee :)
The funny thing is, I completely forgot I quit smoking. It's weird, since I've been doing it for over eight years.
My relationship is going great, so no complaints there and about you being in the tao section: you've always been listed there. Don't know why. I think it was spontanious, truly!
Hi Julie, Nice visiting your blog. This reminds me of the stream of consciousness of Virginia Woolf. Even a few seconds of meditation gives some clarity, sheds some light.
Bert, thanks for the update. :)
Swahilya, thank you for your comment and visit. Any reading suggestions for Woolf?
Yes, another language all together- I agree... and it's OK judgments are passed about- I think it just greases the wheels of our evolving. Sometime "I get it" right away- most often, like in music, after the fourth or fifth listen I begin to feel, sense exactly what going on.
See, I love that sense of not knowing, being unexperienced- like all that another country is: it's foreign and delicious (the uncertainty of what to think).
The challenge being with what one enjoys? I think, at least for me, sometimes I know where I'm being taken by something and I'm anticipating being there already, premature... it seems the lesson of being present without judging the moment- is the toughest to learn fully.
I would like for you to take your though further (It's a deep one) what are you saying for yourself- the challenge?
"But the time spent together becomes the key for appreciating it."
Yes!
Great post and great comments.
I have a friend who thinks I'm crazy when I say things like "I didn't like the movie/book the first time I watched/read it, but now... "
"What! You didn't like it, but you went back to it?!?!"
"Uh, yeah."
"Cause I thought I'd like it better now, and I do."
I usually go to museums alone... Friends hate it when they go with me because I like to sit and gaze in fascination at the works that really amaze me.
It was just for this stream of consciousness factor that she is known for. There are novels of Virginia Wolf (or Woolf?) I don't remember any titles.
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