by Neal Whitman

Created on: September 03, 2009   Last Updated: September 04, 2009

"No Elephants, No Drums"

There are a lot of good things we can live without. Oh, these are good things. And, the World is better off with them. But each of us, as an individual, can live without one or two of them. In addition to a large mammal that lives in the wild and in the local zoo, I personally can take a pass. Banging on hide? It's welcome in the World, but I personally can live without the garage band next door. Now, to the nut of the matter. Artists and History can tell us much about Art. But, I can live without. In my World, and now may I suggest in yours, it is possible to appreciate Art without Artists or History.

There are, of course, three realms of Art: Visual, Performing, and LIterary. Let us just take one for example from the World of Visual Art: a painting.

Stand or sit in front of one. Look. Turn around quickly. What image is left in your mind?

Look again. Now take your time. Compare your own two impressions. What struck you right off the bat and what comes to mind when you take more time? You see, you already know a lot about the painting without any explanation. Now, and only now, look at the title of the work. Did it surprise you or not? What title would you give the painting?

Next there is a methodology that can help you appreciate a work of Art. Each Visual, Performing, and Literary piece of Art has its own methodology. Here, let's stick to the painting:

What is the subject? It might be a concrete picture from the World. If so, is it realistic or deliberately not? Is it an abstraction? Concrete (realistic or not) or abstract, how does this image fit into your view of the World? Does it confirm how you "see" things or does it challenge your preconceived perspective of what is out there?

What colors are used and how many? How do you feel about these choices? Does the color evoke any feelngs?

What shapes come into play? Are there few or many? Are these geometric or amorphous? What do you think the decisions the painter made here?

Lines! We say a straight one is the shortest distance between two points. But, we find none in Nature. Do you see lines in the painting? How are boundaries handled?

Texture? Is the surface of the painting smooth or rough? Did the artist try to "hide" that it is a painting or "in your face," say "Here is pigment on canvas. Deal with it. It's a painting!"

Now here is the rub. To appreciate a painting without the help of Artists or History, you have to look at a lot of paintings. Experience is what counts, not information. If you do these things, you will be drum roll, please oh, wait a sec, no drums a CONNOISSEUR. Yes, a connoisseur. You will be someone for whom, an art form, whether it be Visual (such as painting), Performing, or Literary is a focus of attention. Is what is before you right now like or not like what you have encountered before? Is it a welcome reinforcement of what is familiar or an unwelcome repetition? Is it new and novel in a good way or a bad way?

So, please. leave for others some good things in the World. No elephants. No drums. No artists or history to explain Art to you.

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