What has our culture lost in 1980 that the avant-garde had in 1890? Ebullience, idealism, confidence, the belief that there was plenty of territory to explore, and above all the sense that art, in the most disinterested and noble way, could find the necessary metaphors by which a radically changing culture could be explained to its inhabitants.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the cultural shift from the optimism and idealism of the past to a more jaded present, particularly in the realm of art.
Robert Hughes mourns the loss of the ebullience and idealism that characterized the avant-garde movement of the late 19th century compared to the more reserved attitude of contemporary culture in 1980. He emphasizes that the earlier artists possessed a strong belief in the potential of art to serve as a meaningful commentary on and navigation of their rapidly changing society, a sentiment that seems to have diminished in his time.
In practice
This quote could be cited in a lecture about the evolution of art movements over the years.
Essentially, perspective is a form of abstraction. It simplifies the relationship between eye, brain and object. It is an ideal view, imagined as being seen by a one-eyed, motionless person who is clearly detached from what he sees. It makes a God of the spectator, who becomes the person on whom the whole world converges, the Unmoved Onlooker.
It is hard to think of any work of art of which one can say 'this saved the life of one Jew, one Vietnamese, one Cambodian'. Specific books, perhaps; but as far as one can tell, no paintings or sculptures. The difference between us and the artists of the 1920's is that they they thought such a work of art could be made. Perhaps it was a certain naivete that made them think so. But it is certainly our loss that we cannot.
Landscape is to American painting what sex and psychoanalysis are to the American novel.
Popular in our time, unpopular in his. So runs the stereotype of rejected genius.
What does one prefer? An art that struggles to change the social contract, but fails? Or one that seeks to please and amuse, and succeeds?
The greater the artist, the greater the doubt; perfect confidence is granted to the less talented as a consolation prize.
A painting is a symbol for the universe. Inside it, each piece relates to the other. Each piece is only answerable to the rest of that little world. So, probably in the total universe, there is that kind of total harmony, but we get only little tastes of it.
Music does not replace words, it gives tone to the words
With photography, I like to create a fiction out of reality. I try and do this by taking society's natural prejudice and giving this a twist.
People aren't going to support an artist just because they have an audio file. They have to feel a real connection.
The fairy poet takes a sheet Of moonbeam, silver white; His ink is dew from daisies sweet, His pen a point of light.
After 58 years you'd think writing would get easier. It doesn't. If you're lucky, you become harder to please. That's all right, it's still a pleasure.
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