Response to "Taking Art Seriously."

Response #11

In Marek Krawczyk's blog, he talks about how some people take art way too seriously and over analyze it to the point where it loses its initial value. He describes the typical art critic and how he just wants to be a common person viewing art and then moving on with his life. He asks, "Should we be serious when viewing art or is it possible to appreciate it without having to obsess over it, just like a common person instead of a critic?"

There are people that enjoy analyzing art and learning every detail about the piece of work and the artist's purpose in creating it. Some people value art over others. Critics are paid to observe and express their professional opinions about a piece of work and if it is actually art. However, the common person can indeed view a work of art and then move on. Not everyone has to contemplate the piece and spend hours analyzing it. Art is very important in our world for so many reasons. It shows creativity, interpretations of ideas and feelings, delays emotions and communicates messages. Art is pleasing to the eye and teaches us new concepts. It is a type of self expression, a very valuable one. Although it is important to learn the artist's purpose of a piece and time should be spent analyzing it since the artist did put much of his or her time in the creation, people can simply appreciate it without having any knowledge about art.

There is a message in every piece that needs to be deciphered but it isn't your job to be the person who figures out the meaning, emotions, and purpose of the piece. We enjoy beauty everyday in everything. Aesthetics are all around us even if we do not pay much attention to it. It is certainly possible and encouraged to simply and briefly enjoy a piece of work without going into deep judgments. That's what museums are for: So the public can enjoy works and get whatever they want and can out of each piece. Art does need to be taken seriously but not necessary by everyone and maybe some pieces are just meant to be aesthetic pleasing to the eye. You can view it simply and still enjoy it.

My question to you is: It's no secret that appreciation for art is decreasing. People just seem less and less interested in visiting museums and using their creative abilities to make their own works of art. So, what must be done to increase the interest of artwork and museums in the individuals of today's world?

Leonid Afremov