What stood out to me in the reading were the many kinds of success. “the second kind of success is when you have friends who appreciate your works and give you good feedback. We all need to feel that we have value and that someone understands or appreciates us and what we do.” (Grey p. 90) I like how the reading challenged their own idea with the idea that we do need a true friend who is an honest critic and understands your motives and capabilities and encourages you to continue and deepen your creative path. I found this to be relatable to my life because often times I feel that there are people in this world who are constantly putting you down or making you feel like your friendship is toxic. I also connected with the challenge because I have had friends who shut down when they don’t want to hear something or don’t want to hear someone’s advice.
Another part of the reading that I found interesting was about the section of art- ontext and meaning. “Viewers interpret a work of art through the filter of their worldview, the knowledge and experience conditioning their mind.” (Grey p. 102) I related to the idea we look at a painting and no nothing of its history or background and only appreciate its patters and colors. This is something that I challenge myself on to learn more about paintings and the insights to the artist’s message. The reading mentioned the importance of knowing the sociopolitical and art-historical context in which the work was created will lend deeper meaning. I challenge myself to connect with concept in the reading because then I will have more knowledge on artwork and a stronger appreciation for it.
Grey, A. (2001). Art as Spiritual Practice. The Mission of Art (1st ed., pp. 205-233). Boston & London: Shambhala.
You said, in response to the kind of success that merits peer responses, “I found this to be relatable to my life because often times I feel there are people in this world who are constantly putting you down or making you feel like your friendship is toxic.”
This was an intriguing transfer. It calls into question the remarkably powerful effect art has on us, whether we actively draw conclusions from works of art to our own experiences or not. Have you ever found a work of art (or works of art) to inspire your own interpretation of meaning? Where did these interpretations come from, and how did the work of art trigger such interpretations?
I find that poetry, literary works, and music draw the most reactions for me. Perhaps it is because these are the mediums with which I feel most comfortable, or “in my element” so to speak. I have also been wondering: do you think it is possible to have a completely unbiased interpretation of a work of art? In other words, is it possible to interpret art without inserting our own experiences? You brought up Grey’s point about worldview, which is why I thought I would ask! (“Viewers interpret a work of art through the filter of their worldview, the knowledge and experience conditioning their mind.” [Grey, 102])
Hi Janie,
I really like how you included your own life experiences by stating how you believe that “there are people in this world who are constantly putting you down or making you feel like your friendship is toxic.” I can definitely relate this to my own life because in the past, I have definitely had to deal with people who were not genuine in trying to be my friend, which only ended up hurting both sides of the people in the friendship. If a friendship isn’t real or isn’t happening for the right reasons, it would be best for the future to end things.