Bucking The Fear of Art
Bucking The Fear of Art
By Cesare A.X. Syjuco
Published in: The Manila Times, March 07, 1987
ART — that great grey space in the shifting quagmire of intellectual double-talk — has remained the exclusive property of the monocled set for far too long. And little wonder! A great many people live in fear of it. That's a terrible shame, being that good art can and should be appreciated on a multiplicity of levels, all in ready relation to the viewer's innate "reading skills."
The big bad art critic is usually of no help. Like the medical practitioner, the critic himself becomes the unwitting victim of vernacular semantics, often having to resort to generic "passwords" for purposes of facility in the course of analytical discussion — quirky language that is virtually Greek to all but the most artistically well-versed. In art, in-depth analysis can sometimes spoil the fun in looking and may even serve to confuse things further.
In line with this section’s growing commitment to general readership, following are pointers towards the de-mystification of the artistic experience:
(1) TRUST YOUR OWN INSTINCTS. From the standpoint of the casual observer, looking at contemporary works of art is always a relative process. You may like or dislike anything in sight. Go ahead. It’s allowed.
(2) TRUST YOUR OWN OPINION. I, for one, have always been amazed at how a lot of intelligent people confronted with art somehow feel compelled to confess their ignorance of it. To be perfectly honest, no one can say with any real certainty just what will stand up to the test of time. Opinions are opinions, and even the most educated guess is still founded on guesswork. On the other hand, even the most unenlightened viewer knows what he likes (or doesn’t like) when he sees it. The rule of thumb is second to none in the layman’s appreciation of contemporary artworks.
(3) DON'T KILL YOURSELF TRYING. Enjoy what readily appeals to you, and at least for the meantime, ignore the rest of it. This isn’t a driving test. You’re not being graded for aptitude. It’s the art, after all, that’s on display.
(4) DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU OTHERWISE. It should matter little to you what so-and-so says "is worth liking." You may abhor Pollock or fall madly in love with his work. When it gets down to the nitty-gritty, it’s what you enjoy that counts. The knowledgeable have to live with their area of expertise; they breathe art and become one with their esoteric meanderings. Pray for the afflicted but don’t patronize them. You alone should determine the level at which you choose to experience art. You don’t have to play pro ball to enjoy sports. And at any rate, far too many experts have forgotten just what it’s like to really derive pleasure or pain from works of art.
(5) REMEMBER THAT MUCH OF HISTORY IS FOR THE BOOKS. Most people think they have little or no right to comment on contemporary art unless they know their classical history inside-out. I have always thought that to be a ridiculous notion. There is virtually no real relationship between antiquated classical precepts and the new art — being that the first is firmly rooted in the past, while the other aspires to a future. As people of the present, we are welcome to enjoy the best of both worlds independently of each other. Leave the chore of correlating trends to the professional bores who get paid to do it. Remember that history is for the books. Contemporary art, on the other hand, is up for grabs — and for your invaluable assessment.
(6) KNOW ALWAYS THAT ART IS FOR EVERYONE. In principle, that means it’s for you and me and the little girl next door. Contrary to popular misconception, art is free unless you want to collect it.
Someone wisely said that there is nothing to fear but fear itself. Art, by the same token, won’t bite you. And those who like to show their teeth for malice’s own sake will never tangle with you if you bite back. Go for it!
* * *
Cesare A.X. Syjuco, “Bucking The Fear of Art” (page 1 of 1), The Manila Times, March 07, 1987
