What is art?
In some cultures art is the neurotic expression of the tortured soul. In other cultures art is the skillful reproduction of an age old tradition. The artist wants to add something to the world that was missing. To the artist the world is incomplete. The artist clearly sees the limitations and coincidence of how the structure and culture came into being. Therefore he is not bound by them.. |
How does art relate to the spectator?
What happens to the observer of art? When one’s complete attention is captured by what stands in front of him, there is no question of how the I relates to it. The I comes in afterwards, when we wish to explain our experience to others. When we observe extreme beauty we loose ourselves. And when we loose our -self- we are the most happy. The only thing we can do is create the conditions in which happiness might arise, by putting aside self concern, and by stopping to want something different than what we are. Perhaps then that intense beauty can come upon us. |
Can art save the world?
No, but we can. Perhaps art can help to eliminate the concept of otherness. Art may help to find common ground and bring communities together. The real virtuoso ignores our opinions, tastes and cultures, because we should coexist. Art can help to save the world only when stops pretending to be unique, and stops pretending what beauty must be. The less we know the better, for only opinions and tastes divide humans into tribes. |
|