Re: ART: "Art and Cognition" exchange in Arts Journal, the continuing saga

From: Natasha Vita-More (natasha@natasha.cc)
Date: Sun Feb 09 2003 - 14:44:59 MST

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    At 01:02 PM 2/9/03 -0500, Technotranscendence wrote:

    >You may find of interest the further round of letters on the Arts
    >Journal website between abstract artist Kirk Hughey

    "As it happens, I even like some abstract work - for its elements of color
    and design. In the light of the cognitive revolution, however, I find the
    extravagant claims for its meaningfulness, and for its ultimate cultural
    value, more and more unconvincing. The widely held notion that abstract art
    should henceforth be immune from all criticism because totalitarian
    dictators attempted to obliterate it is simply a case of cock-eyed reasoning."
    -- Michelle Kamhi

    Michelle Kamhi comments that she (?) even likes some abstract
    art. However, it seems that she is reducing it to decorative work by
    commenting about the elements of color and design. She leaves out the
    symbolism which is part and parcel to abstract art as expressed by de
    Kooning, Vassily Kandinsky, and Miro of the abstract genre. Abstract art,
    and all "art" cannot be meaningless. If so, it would not be
    "art." Further abstract art, like any "art" cannot be immune from art
    criticism which is so familiar to artists and art that to not have
    criticisms would be foreign.

    In any open discussion and or critique of art, there is a tendency for
    rigid application and theory and sometimes an unwilling to see the obvious.

    "It is possible, in fact, that abstract art became more appropriate as
    scientific insights became more inclusive and abstract since the two
    disciplines often work in complimentary accord." -- Kirk Hughey

    Excellent statement and I think Hughey makes the more percipient point.

    Natasha



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