fokse vektaire xeven
Arab Nazi
Why is it that you expect instant gratification with no effort on your part from art,
I don't expect instant gratification and never said i did. of course learning can enrich our experience of anything. my objection here is to the art establishment and to art as currently taught. to teachers concerned with turning out instant "revolutionaries" rather than giving people the basic grounding to become revolutionaries themselves. to critics who dismiss the opinions of others by telling them they don't speak the right language. to artists who spend more time on their catalogue "statements" than their work. to art which lacks generosity.
but not from other human endeavours like studying quantum mechanics or chinese?
once again, your analogy is empty. art is not the specific property of any culture and its place and purpose in society bears no comparison with quantum physics. this kind of elitism serves only the arts establishment. to ask you a question in return, why do think art should be undemocratic?
Anyway, may be our interaction has run its course and we should agree to disagree. Let me finish with a recollection from a recent experience of mine! I went to a graduation show at the Truman Brewery a couple of days ago and browsed the offerings. I came across one piece. At first I looked at it and though "pretentious wank". Then I went away and looked at some other works, but I felt I needed to look more at that one. I was drawn to go back. I came back, I went away, and I came back again. Then it hit it me. I stared at an artwork for over an hour! I just could not leave! It was just amazing, it's still on my mind. I'm so glad I saw this work. I may never forget it.
the interesting thing about your story is you make no explicatory reference to the work itself or its content. all you expect us to be interested in is your reaction. but then you dismiss and pigeonhole the reactions of others as if the appreciation of art were your sole personal property.