I have been told on numerous occasions (by family, friends and even random strangers) that they cannot understand art. I suppose then it would be my responsibility to tell you what art is? Think again…
Defining art is a rookie mistake and a pit you cannot dig yourself out of again. The problem with defining art is that I find it to be a completely subjective experience. What one person sees (and the subsequent reaction to that) can be completely different to the next person’s experience. If you cannot completely define art, how exactly do you know what is good art? Luckily, I have a few tips for you…
Do you like what you see?
I have met and know a few connoisseurs of the finer things in life, and we would eat, drink, debate and discuss – and so I happened to spend one New Year with friends and the owner of a marvelous restaurant in Pretoria. This man has amassed a lifetime's knowledge on food and wine so I asked him what he would say is the prerequisite for a good wine. His answer? If it tastes good, it probably is.
The funny thing is that it was not the first time I have heard this theory and it got me thinking…If that is the opinion of wine, why not art? I personally put this theory to the test and I realised that most things I found appealing were labeled as "good art".
Here is my little tidbit of advice then: if you like it, then it is good art in your opinion, so enjoy it! **
Don't just blindly follow what other people say
Don't just blindly follow what other people say
Think for yourself. Look at the artwork and think about it. What do you see? Does it invoke an emotional response from you? What is that response? Is there a story? (If there isn't, that's fine as well). Do you like it? Why? And so on...
When u open your mind a bit and really start thinking about it, viewing art can be an exhilarating experience – it can even make your heart beat faster at times.
Enjoy the experience
Enjoy the experience
John Lennon said that life is what happens while you are making other plans. This is so true – when you have a bus load of things to do, why would you want to spend time looking at paintings you think you might not understand? Do not approach it from that perspective though – rather see it as an opportunity to enjoy a new experience, to learn new things.
Consider these three tips before you deny yourself the experience of viewing art next time.
Blessings,
Mel
*Please note that this post is not advice on buying art as an investment (which I will get to at some point) but a loose guide to appreciating art.
**A raging debate can ensue as to the validity of my observations and theories as well as how "taste" and "style" develops, and if you want to discuss this for the next five years, email me and we can talk about it - but please don't make my other reader's heads spin just yet ;)
Featured image:
Count Ludovic Lepic and Ladies viewing and exhibition
Julius LeBlanc Stewart
1888 (?)
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