Relatively speaking, pornography is much more honest, to put it that way, than propaganda--and the latter can be far more obscene than the former, as the victims of totalitarianism know all too well.
Porn is an entertainment, take it or leave it. Propaganda is Three Card Monte at a bus stop, you lose. Franklin, thanks for the review. Wilde was a protege of JAM Whistler, from whence he got his "art for art's sake" idea. At one of Whistler's Ten O'Clocks, on hearing one of Whistler's bons mots, Wilde exclaimed "Gee, Jimmy, I wish I'd said that!" Leaning over the podium, Whistler replied, "Don't worry, Oscar, you will."
Pornography, like sexual prostitution, is supposed to be a ruse, or to be understood as such, even if some people are stupid enough to take it at face value. I am not saying it is unobjectionable or harmless, but it is more human (so to speak) and less perverse than hardcore propaganda. Also, pornography is after money; propaganda is after power.
The purpose of visual art is to be perceived, but that means more than being looked at. Anyone can look at art, but not all have an aptitude for it. To those who don't, art has little or nothing to offer, which is OK, since art is not a necessity. Art is for those who have an eye for it, beyond the literal sense of seeing. All do not have that, including not a few who are officially "art people" and are not only supposed to have an eye but presume to do so. The aptitude in question can be nurtured and developed, like any talent or capacity, but it must be there a priori--it cannot be put there.
I have no problem with that. One could also say that art is a form of visual stimulation or communication, which depends on how perceptive or receptive the viewer is.
Relatively speaking, pornography is much more honest, to put it that way, than propaganda--and the latter can be far more obscene than the former, as the victims of totalitarianism know all too well.
I disagree, I think pornography is the bigger ruse. But you're right about the obscenity.
Porn is an entertainment, take it or leave it. Propaganda is Three Card Monte at a bus stop, you lose. Franklin, thanks for the review. Wilde was a protege of JAM Whistler, from whence he got his "art for art's sake" idea. At one of Whistler's Ten O'Clocks, on hearing one of Whistler's bons mots, Wilde exclaimed "Gee, Jimmy, I wish I'd said that!" Leaning over the podium, Whistler replied, "Don't worry, Oscar, you will."
Pornography, like sexual prostitution, is supposed to be a ruse, or to be understood as such, even if some people are stupid enough to take it at face value. I am not saying it is unobjectionable or harmless, but it is more human (so to speak) and less perverse than hardcore propaganda. Also, pornography is after money; propaganda is after power.
I love the prettiness/radical beauty. Such an important, little recognized and ofter confused, separation of purpose in painting.
The purpose of visual art is to be perceived, but that means more than being looked at. Anyone can look at art, but not all have an aptitude for it. To those who don't, art has little or nothing to offer, which is OK, since art is not a necessity. Art is for those who have an eye for it, beyond the literal sense of seeing. All do not have that, including not a few who are officially "art people" and are not only supposed to have an eye but presume to do so. The aptitude in question can be nurtured and developed, like any talent or capacity, but it must be there a priori--it cannot be put there.
I prefer my formulation, that art is a repository for visual quality. It puts more responsibility on the viewer to detect it.
I have no problem with that. One could also say that art is a form of visual stimulation or communication, which depends on how perceptive or receptive the viewer is.