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Sunday, April 27, 06:41:37pmLogin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 123[4]5678910 ]
Subject: Art and World Views


Author:
Biff
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Date Posted: 11/12/01 2:52pm

This a discussion that began with Jorge. I think it was just starting to get interesting so I started a new thread.

Jorge had criticized MRedd for espousing to be an AC/DC fan. I responded with:

"There are four levels on which one can appreciate a work of art:
1) Technical Excellence: has the artist displayed talent in creating the work?
2) Validity: has the artist been honest with him/herself in creating the work?
3) The integration of content and vehicle: is there a correlation between style and the subject matter?
4)Content: the truth of the world view being presented

Only One of these criteria deals specifically with the quality of the content contained in the work. It's perfectly valid for anyone to judge and appreciate any work of art on the basis of any or all of the other three.

'We are not being true to the artist as a man if we consider his artwork junk simply because we differ with his outlook on life'--Francis Schaeffer"

Jorge replied:
"Whoa, Biff...

The criteria you enumerate above are fine for a secular evaluation of art (ANY art). But there's much more to it than this...

I have all of Francis Schaeffer's works and in one of them (The God Who is There) he severly criticizes the work and art of several individuals PRECISELY because of their (improper) outlook in life. Consider for instance the *music* of John Cage.... This *artist* created a *music* around the idea of randomness, chance and chaos as the fundamental forces responsible for the natural universe (including humanity)...."

To which I'll respond:
If you have all of Schaeffer's works then you must know that it was he who put forth those four criteria in "Art and the Bible." His is certainly not a secular evaluation. This may make it appear as though he is contradicting himself in "the God Who is There", but he is most certainly not. Just as it is perfectly valid to appreciate any particular work based on any or all of the four levels, it is valid to criticize it on any or all of the same.

I know so many people who dismiss a work of art as junk simply because it does not represent their world view. Speaking from my own Christian perspective, I see many Christians who reject art work because it is not Christian. I also see many non-Christians reject top quality art simply because it is Christian.

Any other comments?

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Replies:
Subject Author Date
Brief comments.Wade A. Tisthammer11/12/01 3:03pm


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